Customer Reviews

Utah Byways: 65 Backcountry Drives For The Whole Family, including Moab, Canyonlands, Arches, Capitol Reef, San Rafael Swell and Glen Canyon

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

 

 

For the price (less than tank of gas) Utah Byways is easily the best buy in the genre of off-highway exploring, by the most acclaimed author in the field. It is a thorough and well-illustrated glovebox-size guide to the state's most spectacular backcountry roads. Unlike other 4WD books, the author has personally made sure that every route is suitable to a stock 4WD sport-utility vehicle. The book provides a full range of backcountry driving experiences, from graded gravel roads to famous 4x4 trails like Elephant Hill. But the focus is really on experiencing Utah's natural wonders and human history. You will visit remote rock art sites, Anasazi ruins, trilobite fossil beds, ford rivers and streams, wind through forests and narrow, high-walled slickrock canyons. You will drive on the actual bed of the historic transcontinental railroad, and meander across the Great Basin on the old Pony Express and Overland Stage trail. The extensive geographic coverage leaves no region unexplored, from the Uinta Mountains to the Wasatch Range, from Moab to the Great Basin and the most remote reaches of canyon country, even a bit of the Mojave Desert. The photos are outstanding as well, although they're b&w. Among the best features are the detailed, full-page maps that accompany each of the 65 top-notch routes that the author describes, and the handy 5x9-inch format. It's designed to fit into an SUV's side pocket or glovebox, making it easy to take along while still including abundant content. Also included is an extensive how-to chapter, and a listing of information sources that includes Web sites. Adding still more to its value and appeal is the author's multi-activity approach. Mountain bikers, hikers and campers as well as adventurous travelers will find it an outstanding resource, too, because Utah Byways is far more than a driving guide.

I bought this book for our family vacation 2 years ago to Utah. It was one of two books that were the foundation for planning our best vacation yet. In fact, we had such a great time that we are planning to return next year.

This book enabled us to get off the main roads and explore Utah backcountry. Without it, we would not have been brave enough to explore on our own and see so many great sites. The author's format is very user-friendly and has the EXACT information that I wanted to know (road difficulty, highlights, distance, time, etc) in order to plan our trip.

Contrary to the earlier reviewer, I don't mind the photos. Although they are b/w, they still convey the beauty and feel of canyon country.

Unlike some of the other readers, I cheated and checked this book out of the public library first (living in Salt Lake City, libraries are full of books about Utah).

The directions, mileage indicators, degree of difficulty and highlights are really excellent. We used this book extensively during our last trip to So. Utah and we able to find each trail of interest without any problem.

Unfortunately, the maps for each trail are adequate at best. Instead the book refers you to available published maps of a specific area. Also, all the photos are in black and white which is really a disappointment when you consider the red-rock beauty of So. Utah.

But, for the price and size of the book, you won't be disappointed.

I picked it up in Moab on a recent winter trip (good time to go). We really, really liked the roads it took us on. Bring your bike! Now that I've seen the place, the pictures should be in color, though. I recommend it.

Utah Byways: 65 Backcountry Drives is an excellent book. The trail descriptions are extremely accurate, concise and helpful. I liked the photographs because they give a perspective on a drive. The list of resources, parks and places of interest in the back of the book is invaluable. I wish I had time to go on all the drives. Good job.