The Grand Canyon Handbook: An Insider's Guide to the Park: As Related by Ranger Jack (Paperback)

~ (Author), Phil Frank (Illustrator), (Author), Phil (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Awesome in its vastness and beauty, the Grand Canyon is unique in all the world. And all the world wants to visit there-which can lead to delay, discomfort, and disappointment for the uninformed who arrive at the same time as everyone else.

Those armed with The Grand Canyon Handbook, however, will be wise to all the tricks for having the best possible time at the park. They'll know when to go, what to bring, what to see, and how to see it. They'll be properly equipped for a safe visit. They'll have a matchless grasp of all the facts, from how the canyon was formed down to the closest place to rent camping gear. There's even a table of sunrise/sunset times, so readers won't miss any meteorological light shows unless they want to.

This detailed and engaging guide, narrated by a seasoned cartoon ranger named Jack, includes illuminating notes on the park's flora, fauna, history, and future prospects. The question-and-answer format gives the facts without a lot of searching. A quick-reference section offers, among other things, a telephone directory, guide to area resources, backpacker's checklist, lists of outfitters and transportation companies, and an overview of regional conservation and educational programs.

Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Pomegranate Communications (February 29, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764912763
• ISBN-13: 978-0764912764
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #849,623 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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  #69 in	Books > Travel > United States > States > Arizona > Grand Canyon
  #80 in	Books > Travel > Guidebook Series > Insiders

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

95 of 96 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The BEST Grand Canyon Handbook, September 30, 2000

By	Dan & Sarah Brooks (Raleigh, NC, USA) - See all my reviews

We searched far & wide for info. about the G.C. while planning our trip. There's a lot of info. online, to be sure. But if you want the insider's perspective - skip Fodor's, Frommer's, Let's Go, and the rest of the "mainstream" travel guides. Those "other guides" will only give you the most basic information (which is also readily available on the web).

The Grand Canyon Handbook: an Insider's Guide to the Park will give you just about everything you need to know to make the most of your trip to the G.C.! From, directions, camping, lodging & dining info., tours, a history of the canyon and the park to the best times (& places) to view surise & sunsets, the best time of year to go, and plenty of info. on the flora & fauna, too! As well as many different ways you can see the Grand Canyon: shuttlebus, hiking along the rim, your car/RV, hiking into the canyon, rafting through the canyon, by helicopter or plane, etc. It's written by some REAL insiders - people who know the Park inside & out. We'd definitely reccomend this book to anyone who wants to learn about one of our Nation's greatest natural treasures!

The only things it left out were: how amazing the drive around the canyon from the South to North Rims is, and other area attractions (like The Grand Canyon: West with the Hualapai Indians and Grand Canyon Caverns). But, maybe those will make it into the 2nd edition.

If you're planning a trip to the Grand Canyon (even if you're only stopping by for one day) YOU NEED THIS BOOK!

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It's not just a big hole in the ground, November 17, 2002

By	Douglas A. Wade (San Leandro, CA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Amazon Verified Purchase

The way the books of this series work is that they took a guide for new rangers in Yosemite with the 100 or so most frequently asked questions, and wrote their own answers for each park. So in each book the questions are very similar but the answers might be very different.

It's a great format because it makes for easy reading beforehand, but it's also quick as a reference when you're there because they're arranged in an intelligent order. There's also a huge reference section at the end with lists, copies of permit forms, and so forth. So the thing to do is read the FAQ before you leave but bring the book and refer to it once you're there.

Before I went I really wasn't sure how long we'd want to stay or even if there was really anything to do other than look at the canyon. As it turns out there's a ton of things to do - ruins, great hiking, sunsets, stargazing, and we spent a lot more time there than I would have thought. Without this book either I wouldn't have realized this stuff existed (the park service doesn't exactly promote the nearby native ruins, but they're cool) or I would have scheduled way too little time.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It's not just a big hole in the ground, November 17, 2002

By	Douglas A. Wade (San Leandro, CA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Amazon Verified Purchase

The way the books of this series work is that they took a guide for new rangers in Yosemite with the 100 or so most frequently asked questions, and wrote their own answers for each park. So in each book the questions are very similar but the answers might be very different.

It's a great format because it makes for easy reading beforehand, but it's also quick as a reference when you're there because they're arranged in an intelligent order. There's also a huge reference section at the end with lists, copies of permit forms, and so forth. So the thing to do is read the FAQ before you leave but bring the book and refer to it once you're there.

Before I went I really wasn't sure how long we'd want to stay or even if there was really anything to do other than look at the canyon. As it turns out there's a ton of things to do - ruins, great hiking, sunsets, stargazing, and we spent a lot more time there than I would have thought. Without this book either I wouldn't have realized this stuff existed (the park service doesn't exactly promote the nearby native ruins, but they're cool) or I would have scheduled way too little time.