Customer Reviews

Hiking the Road to Ruins: Day Trips and Camping Adventures to Iron Mines, Old Military Sites, and Things Abandoned in the New York City Area ... and Beyond

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

In this book, Steinberg has collected twenty years of hiking, exploration and historical knowledge with the end goal of giving other people a good time. The small handwritten maps, by their very nature, are bound to be fanciful (you can't fit reality into a 3 x 4 inch space) so you need to buy your own map. This book can take you places that you would never find on your own, so go for it.

I'd like to address some of the issues people have brought up in their reviews.

The back cover states that the book is "geared for the experienced hiker or camping adventurer", which is not to say casual explorers are not welcome; indeed, I'm glad they're coming aboard, but they need to plan carefully. Maybe they should start out with the easier hikes and build up experience for the more challenging ones.

Sorry some folks are having problems with my maps, but the drawn maps are not for trail navigation, and I make a point to mention that in the text. I tell people, and I'm telling you now, to pick up the "official" maps (such as NY/NJ Trail Conference maps) that I clearly endorse at the beginning of the chapters. May I quote myself from the "Preparation" chapter: "The personally rendered hand-drawn maps presented herein are for general location purposes only. I would not rely on them for navigation. Pick up the maps listed in the chapter introductions."

Regarding Doodletown, if you picked up the blue trail 25 yards south of the trail then you didn't read the text carefully: "pick up the blue-blazed trail near the sign for the merry-go-round (at the Bear Mountain Inn) to the right of the brook." The trail you used was to the left of the brook.
Much more interesting? First, I submit that's in the eye of the beholder, and second there are no features on that trail (unless you count the Cornell mine sites way up on Dunderburg Mountain) that would be included in the book.

The Pergola hike is rated as "moderate, with some steep ascents and descents" and I later mention the "arduous ascent to the top of the cliffs" and trudging up 500 feet to the top. Is this not accurate?

The FRONT cover promises "...adventures in the NYC area...and beyond" and the text further qualifies "within a two hour drive of NYC in most cases". Did someone really think that Boston, the Adirondacks or DC was two hours from NYC? That's the "beyond" part, and before you go on any trip anywhere you ought to do some homework. The lions share of the hikes are distanced as promised. The rest are added because I think they are unique, interesting, and worth the trip.

Regarding Island Pond, the parking area is actually just west of the trail instead of just east, but as drawn it's on the correct side of the road. Sometimes there are multiple parking areas near a trail.

I welcome feedback, comments, and indications of errors at www.TheRoadToRuins.com.

For the armchair adventurer or for the weekend woodsman, this book is a must. It is full of historically interesting sites that probably most people don't know exist in the tristate area. This book contains a nice assortment, from iron mines from the 1800's to abandoned missle sites from the cold war era. Good Stuff!

Got this book - it was in perfect shape and came relatively quickly. There are a bunch of great hikes in here. Not that many in close relation to where I live but I love taking full day trips or weekend vacations so this book is perfect for us.

Hiking just for a walk in the woods is certainly not for everyone and this writer addresses that issue by featuring walks in the woods that lead to the remains of culture, whether civil or military, now long abandoned. However, the trail maps provided by the author should be checked against reliable sources which the author references. For example, the map provided for the hike to Island Pond shows the parking area on the wrong side of the road in relation to the hike - an error that could send the novice in exactly the wrong direction and into disappointment. Use this guide for choosing a walk and as a guide to sites, but get a good map and take the author's recommendation seriously - bring along a compass.

Two hikes and two WOEFULLY inaccurate maps and descriptions of landmarks. I give this book more than one star because I love to hike and I believe Mr. Steinberg's heart is in the right place, but the book is SO inaccurate that it does a real disservice to the casual hiker. Case in point #1..... Doodletown: it is very easy to get on to the "blue trail" about 25 yards south of the blue trail he describes. Problem is it is a different but MUCH MORE INTERESTING trail. You will eventually catch up to the area he describes, but it will give you a much different impression. Trail was rated as "moderate".

Case #2 is the "Pergola" trail in the Palisades. Another very inadequately described trail, but what was especially disturbing is that this trail is MUCH more challenging than Doodletown, but given the same "moderate" tag. My wife and small dog have still not forgiven me.

Steinberg has picked some decent destinations (BTW MANY of which are nowhere near the "within two hours of NYC" the back cover promises), but the descriptions are lame, the writing style is amateurish, and the maps are USELESS!

If you use this book as a resource, do yourself a favor and get a second opinion before taking one of his recommended hikes. The hikes are good. The info is bad.

Even if you are not a hiker, not a nature lover, not an adventure enthusiast or a thrill-seeker, this is a marvelous several hours of enjoyment. You can safely stay at home, or under a tree in the back yard, and chuckle all the way through. Indulge your fantasy life. Dream. Learn something. Find out what makes David Steinberg 'tick'. Or grab a canteen, flashlight, trailmix and hat, and hit The Roads to Ruins with a friend for an unusual day out and about.

In this genre book, layout is significant. Up front we are given the details and facts we need; when, where, why, and why not. What should you bring? How should you dress? How challangng is the course. Maps are clearly drawn. Then get on with the adventure, or the 'read'

Steinberg has a dry wit, good eye for detail, and inquisitivness enough for two. He finds places, describes the setting, the trek, the curiosities he encounters. When visiting old iron mines, bring a large magnet to sift the tailings. For a spooky location, choose an overcast day and know the ghostly facts of the place. Steinberg does the research, and has interviewed the natives. He knows the history. He leads the hike, and you are happy to come along.

Book fits easily into a backback -- don't leave home without it.