Customer Reviews

Washington's Wilderness Areas: The Complete Guide

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1 star:		(1)

 

 

I was in the midst of planning a trip out west when I stumbled across "Washington's Wilderness Areas". Needless to say, we're now planning on heading to Washington. Mr. Huschke's writing gives a clear picture of what to expect and how to reach those expectations. The pictures jump off the pages!

I highly recommend this book and hope that Mr. Huschke has more in the works.

I ordered this book for better details with planning a trip into the Pasayten Wilderness area in Washington.

I returned from this trip yesterday. I was unable to complete the planned loop, as we alloted 4 days for the anticipated 31.3 mile hidden lakes - corral lake.

We luckily picked up a 2nd map in Winthrop, the green trails, inc. map.

As our 1st day progressed, we found we were slower than normal for our experience level and frequency in the backcountry. After reaching our first camp, we compared the book to the green trails map and found huge discrepancies, which did explain our increased time requirement for the day.

The 31.3 miles is really more than 40 miles! Our itinerary was already out with family, so to not endanger ourselves with a change in route, we did an out and back of our trip.

I have never had such an inaccurate book in my 14 years of backpacking!

This book does not have "Hiking" in it's title. I'm sure many people looking for hiking or trail books never find this book for that reason, too bad. This book stood out over other hiking specific titles.

Full color maps with trails and roads outlined. Great creative write-ups and stats for each trail. Really outstanding National Geographic quality photography that gives you a true sense of the trail and area, some of the best Northwest photography I have seen. Excellent general information. All on thick high quality gloss paper, not paperback paper. The author is a Northwest native, and photographer yes does work for National Geographic.

Get this book you will not be disappointed!

This is a lovely book. The color photographs are artistic and original (mountains, lakes and trees give Gurche more than standard post card poses). The writing is likewise consistently excellent. Huschke offers a taste of history, geology, and human interest with his hiking and, of course, nature commentary: he seems consistently well-informed. In addition, the book gives a sharp, though not detailed, map of each wilderness area. This puts hikes I have taken, or dream of taking, into a context one cannot always quickly grasp from detailed topographical maps. I found Huschke's description of trails I know, like the maps, not only accurate but also detailed in a useful, rather than overwhelming, way. So I feel I can trust his guidance where my own sneakers have not yet trod. At the same time, he doesn't make me feel as if actually hitting the trail for myself would be redundant.

Of course there are many other trails in each wilderness area this book does not describe. But this is a wonderful introduction to the awesome beauties of Washington state, both for those who have never visited, and for those born here, but with much left to discover.

This book is a wonderful fusion of wilderness hiking guide and photo essay, fabulously bridging the gap between funcionality and literary artwork.
I've personally hiked in over ten of the areas described by Mr. Huschke, and have not once managed to find the words to convey their beauty in as magic a manner as he. At the same time, the crisp and accurate detail of each hike-description clearly show the great deal of time spent in growing intimate with each trail and side-trail.
I've read dozens of guides to the Pacific Northwest outdoors, but the photos and background depictions in this book make it easily the finest I've ever encountered. I agree with the first review of this book in anxiously awaiting the next effort from these two gifted artists.