Washington's Best Wildflower Hikes [Paperback]

Charles Gurche (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Westcliffe Pub (June 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1565794400
• ISBN-13: 978-1565794405
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,259,899 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #44 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Science > Biological Sciences > Plants > Flowers

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book., July 11, 2005

By 

C. Roberts (Kalama, WA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Washington's Best Wildflower Hikes (Paperback)

There seems to be quite a dichotomy between hiking guides. Often the best guides are simple, colorless paperbacks that present all the info you need, but do little to stimulate your senses. Other guides are pretty and elegant with color photos, but are so at the expense of the information. This book has the best attributes of both.

Fifty hikes are covered in this book and span the entire state from the Okanagons and Blue Mountains to the Olympics. All the necessary info needed to hike is available. The maps are clear, although they do not show elevations. The wildflowers you are likely to see on each trip are detailed, although no mention is made of when they may be in flower (i.e., spring and summer bloomers are mixed, so it is not clear on when the best time to go is to see a particular species).

What really sets this book apart is the photography. Most hiking guides have photography that looks like it was done by an amateur ith a point-and-shoot camera, but not this one. While it is a very good hiking guide even without the photos, the photos are done done by a professional (the author) and are excellent. Heck, the guide is suitable as a coffee table book because of the photography.

My only real quibble is that because the hikes are spread out across the state, a large number of very good wildflower hikes are omitted (the author acknowledges as much). As such, the actual number of hikes that are within an easy driving distance is actually far less than 50. Of course, this is a problem with any state-wide guide that has this few hikes profiled.

It is still a very worthwhile guide to purchase and one which anyone would enjoy flipping through.

5.0 out of 5 stars The best WA wildflower book out there (thus far), July 31, 2009

By 

Harry M. Shin (Livermore, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Washington's Best Wildflower Hikes (Paperback)

1. Granted, there isn't much competition in re: wildflower books in WA, however... it is the best one.

2. It's nicely formatted, has nice photographs, and most importantly, the author knows what he's talking about (C. Gurche is first and foremost a photographer).

3. For those considering the Mountaineer's book--> C. Gurche's book is much much better.

4. My only criticism (which is not a pragmatic criticism): I wish the book was longer / bigger (ie more photos, more text / details)--> ie give me more and more information.

5.0 out of 5 stars Stunning and detailed guide book, August 30, 2007

By 

Tanis "Tanis Yvonne Somerville" (Seahurst, Washington) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Washington's Best Wildflower Hikes (Paperback)

This book has truly captured Washington States' wonderland of wildflowers and hiking guide.
It has detailed trail descriptions and gorgeous full-colour images, Gurche spotlights the states's 50 best day hikes for wildflower viewing. You don't have to be a studdly hiker to experience this kind of beauty, just be a nature lover and enjoy the beauty of Wash. State.
Favourite hikes for me:
Skyline Divide, Heliotrope Ridge, Railroad Grade, Sauk Mountain, Green Mountain, Windy Pass, Gold Rdge, Maple Pass, Noble Knob, Spray Park, Van Trump Park, Mazama Ridge, Naches Peak.