Customer Reviews

Hiking the Sierra Nevada

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

 

 

This hiking guide contains all the required elements for a useful hiking book: excellent driving directions to each trailhead, elevation gains, topographical maps and other random thoughts about each trek. There is an absence of photographs, which is the only reason I don't give this the ultimate "5 star" rating. There is an emphasis on hikes south of Lee Vining, so if you're looking especially at the Bridgeport or Virginia Lakes area, there are better guides out there. But if your speciality is Mammoth and Yosemite, lace up your boots!

In addition to everything you'd expect from a Falcon Guide--accurate trailhead information, good maps, elevation-gain graphs, topo references, etc.--the descriptions of the hikes are engagingly written, with humor and insight. Covering the entire Sierra is a pretty daunting task, but the author has obviously been hiking in the range for years and I thought the coverage was pretty comprehensive and balanced. In the two areas I'm familiar with, Mammoth and Yosemite, he chose some great hikes.

The book is no substitute for local guides, but at least it should help readers choose a region to focus on.
To me, this was much more helpful than its cluttered Lonely Planet rival. You feel like you're being conducted along the trails by a personable as well as knowledgeable guide.

Since the other reviewers complained about it, I thought there were a sufficient number of few photos. However, a little black and white image is never going to do justice to a Sierra landscape.

got the book for a hike from giant forest to mineral king. This book was able to help me chart half of it. The altitude maps are a wonderful addition, the maps are effective and helpful... If only someone would put a map of all the bear boxes in one place.

I purchased this book before a summer trip to Mammoth last summer and have been very happy. I have always enjoyed FalconGuide books, and this is no exception. There are plenty of hikes to chose , my only complaint is that there could be better maps and more photos included.

The title sounds great, BUT it should be re-titled as DAY HIKES of the Sierras. About 90% of the hikes listed are less than 10 miles in length. Silly. The Sierras are magnificent and about 60 miles wide.. WHY would you want to buy a book with hikes shorter than 10 miles. ALSO, the maps of each hike are almost useless since the passes and major trail points do not have elevation marked on it. Shows elevation of most of nearby peaks, but stops at showing the stuff that matters. Waste of money.