Hikes in the Mid-Atlantic States: Maryland Pennsylvania New Jersey New York (Exploring the Appalachian Trail) (Paperback)

~ (Author), Don Hopey (Author) "Welcome to Exploring the Appalachian Trail..." (more)
Key Phrases: vernight backpacking hike, early exit option, social history features, New York, New Jersey, Appalachian Trail (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

10 b/w photos 65 maps 5 x 7 Complete descriptions of 170 great day hikes on the AT Easy-to-read topographic maps and elevation profiles for each hike Plants, wildlife, and historical points to see along the way From the spruce forests of Tennessee and the leafy gorges of Virginia to the rolling Pennsylvania hills and the rocky heights of New England, the Appalachian Trail offers 2,200 miles of hiking opportunities. The five books in this series present accurate, detailed information for 170 day hikes (and a few overnighters), all recommended by AT experts. Where to start and finish, water sources and shelters, early exit options, and what to expect on the trail itself are described. Specially commissioned easy-to-read-and-use topographic maps and elevation profiles accompany each recommended hike; mileage data, the best direction to travel, route difficulty, and sources for additional maps and information are also included. Each book points out natural and historical featuresplants, trees, animals, landforms, bridges, vistasthat make the recommended hikes special. 32 hikes in Pennsylvania, Maryland, New Jersey, and New York

Product Details

• Paperback: 371 pages
• Publisher: Stackpole Books (March 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0811726665
• ISBN-13: 978-0811726665
• Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 4.9 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Note: Gift-wrapping is not available for this item.
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #665,994 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book for detailed sectional or thru hikes on AT, June 7, 1999

By A Customer

There are many books about the AT, but this one is superb for it's detail and attention to partial sections for hiking. Can be used for thru hiking as well. Gives day and overnight parking details, profile of terrain, degree of difficulty, recommended direction, water and shelter locations, topo maps, mileage etc. Everything that a hiker needs!! Excellent.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Must-have for scout leaders / Excellent for planning hikes, December 7, 2003

By	Peter V. Tamas (New Brunswick area, NJ United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

It is clear that these authors were not kidding when they stated that they have a love affair with the Appalachian Trail. The descriptions not only cover all you need to know to be prepared to hike a certain section, but there's lots of history and local color as well.

I've used this book successfully to plan hikes for a youth group. I must admit I disregarded the advice that a certain section (Knife's Edge) was not for those suffering from vertigo and sure enough, the group of kids I took on this section included one who suffered severely from fear of heights. But the kids worked together to get through that section and all was very well in the end.

This book is by no means dry. Sprinkled here and there are humorous passages, like the classification of vampire rocks versus jumping rocks. A pollution-damaged section is described as "shaved clean."

An experienced hiker who has decided to hike section-hike or day-hike the trail between Harper's Ferry and the New York / Connecticut state line needs no other guide. I also recommend this book for the library of every youth group, particularly scouts, in this geographic area that would (or should) plan hiking outings as part of their yearly plans.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent, provides everything from mileage to maps to descriptions for every inch of the AT, April 4, 2007

By	Paul Woodson (Queens, NY USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I have 2 books in this series, and have frequently used photocopied pages from them on my AT section hikes. I never needed to buy the AMC versions of the maps since comprehensive maps are provided within this book, along with mileage charts for road crossings, springs, campsites, landmarks, etc. for every section of the Trail.

Although this book is obviously geared for the day-hiker or overnighter, it has also come in handy on my longer hikes. And the writers have narrowed down every section into either 1- or 2-day hikes, along with directions to the trailheads (even in the remote 100-Mile Wilderness section in Maine!), proving that the AT can be enjoyed by casual hikers as well as hardcore mile-crunchers.

Cons: This book, and the others in the series, is seriously due for an updated edition. Lots has changed along the trail even in 8 years. (carrying up-to-date pages from the ALDHA Thru-Hikers' Companion is necessary to have the full info). Also, the maps are two-color, making certain features hard to read, i.e. roads are the same color as elevation markings.