San Bernardino Mountain Trails: 100 Hikes in Southern California [Paperback]

John W. Robinson (Author), David Money Harris (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 24, 2006

After more than 30 years in print, San Bernardino Mountain Trails remains the bible for Southern California hikers. This updated guide contains new trips as well as old favorites, covering 100 hikes that traverse San Bernardino National Forest, the Santa Rosa Mountains, and San Jacinto Mountains. Includes difficulty ratings, season recommendations, elevation profiles and other essential info, as well as historical photos and descriptions, including early mining operations and pioneer cabins. Includes separate folded map.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

John W. Robinson has explored, backpacked, and climbed throughout the mountain west, from Alaska to Canada to Mexico, for over 50 years. He wrote the first edition of San Bernardino Mountain Trails in 1972 and is also the author of Trails of the Angeles. For this 6th edition, he's been joined by hiker and climber David Money Harris, who has updated the book as well as added new trips.

Product Details

• Paperback: 276 pages
• Publisher: Wilderness Press; Sixth Edition edition (January 24, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0899974090
• ISBN-13: 978-0899974095
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #315,686 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Most comprehensive Guide to San Bernardino Forest., May 15, 2003

By 

Fritz R. Ward "dayhiker" (Crestline, CA United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: San Bernardino Mountain Trails: 100 Hikes in Southern California (Paperback)

Note to Readers: This review is for the 2004 edition. In 2006, Wilderness Press published a new edition of this book, with a new author, new trail selections, and new design. Despite this, Amazon has concluded that the 2006 edition is essentially the same book and will not allow me to write a separate review for it. So, in brief, the criticisms I made of the 2004 book do not apply to the 2006 edition. The latter is an excellent book and I highly recommend it. Review (of 2004 edition) follows.

The San Bernardino National Forest, located on the Eastern ond Nothern edges of the LA basin, receives more visitors a year than most national parks. It is quite surprising then that so few hiking guides cover this popular area. Arguably the most comprehensive of these is John Robinson's 'San Bernardino Mountain Trails.' First printed in 1972 and now in its fifth edition, this is still best guide to the region. In addition to well written local history, it outlines 100 hikes ranging from easy nature walks to multiday backpack trips.

Unfortunately, I cannot give this edition more than 3 stars: there are simply too many mistakes in the text. Hike number two, for example, is listed as 25 miles long. Actual distance is five miles. Other mileages are also inaccurate, often by 25% or so. The text also contains anachronisms: the reference to Grizzly Bears being gone for more than half a century was appropriate in 1972. Now however, it is more like a century.

This new edition does have several positive changes as well. It now lists Gray's Peak, one of my favorite hikes in the Big Bear area. And the new photos are much sharper than in previous editions. So by all means, get this book. Far too many Southern California hiking guides slight the San Bernardino Mountains, and this book gives them their proper due. But be cautious with mileage: some hikes will be shorter than listed, others much longer.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is the updated version, February 26, 2004

By 

Candace Scott (Lake Arrowhead, CA, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: San Bernardino Mountain Trails: 100 Hikes in Southern California (Paperback)

I own about 30 hiking guides and this book is the one I use the most often and consult before any hike. John Robinson is one of the gurus of Southern California hiking and his guides are usually dependable, accurate and full of information that will ensure your safety while in the mountains. He provides an adequate history of each hike, driving directions and fairly precise descriptions of where to locate each trailhead. It's important to note that some of his information is outdated; for example, you always must display your Forest Adventure Pass when parking your car in a California National Forest. Robinson doesn't mention this because his guide was written before the Pass became "essential."

Another strength of this book is that Robinson usually provides separate descriptions of various ways to summit a peak. He details the standard way of climbing San Gorgonio, as well as three alternate treks to the peak and this is a valuable tool for the experienced hiker. He does the same for San Jacinto, perhaps the premiere hike in Southern California (as well as the most arduous!) The guide is tailored towards seasoned hikers and if you're a neophyte, this probably wouldn't be your best choice. But if you love to hike and live in the L.A. area, the Robinson guide provides indispensible information. Highly recommended.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must for San Bernardino Hiking, June 24, 2008

By 

Larry Grondin (Temecula, CA USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: San Bernardino Mountain Trails: 100 Hikes in Southern California (Paperback)

Still the best guide for local hikes in the San Bernardino Mountains, though I'm a little nostalgic about John Robinson's retirement (the original author of the book, that I have carried on many a hike since the early 80's). I like the fact that the new book is slightly larger, which makes the photographs easier to examine. I also like the new map which is in color and on gloss stock, though I do miss the topography lines which have been omitted, making it less useful on the trail.

One concern, is about some of the hikes that are replacements for a handful of the originals, as I'm finding it hard to consider them hikes. I would certainly delete hikes that are located in amusement parks, and consider instead more cross country locations and trails utilizing abandoned fire roads, if necessary, to keep the "100". That said, it is still a great book, and David Money Harris is certainly keeping the legacy alive.