California Desert Byways: Backcountry Drives for the Whole Family (Spiral-bound)

by Tony Huegel (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review
"Author Tony Huegel has produced some of the best guides that we've ever seen for those who really want to get away with the whole family. (Byways guides) all offer concise directions, clear maps and excellent advice on how to get the most out of your off-road adventure." -- Maryland Public Television's MotorWeek

Product Description
The 50 unpaved adventure roads detailed in this handy, spiral-bound backcountry travel guide will take anyone who drives a 4wd sport-utility vehicle from the remote corners of Death Valley and Joshua Tree national parks to the intriguing landscapes of Anza-Borrego Desert State Park and Mojave National Preserve. Traveling often little-known backcountry byways, you will drive to the crest of the highest mountain range in the Great Basin to view ancient bristlecone pines, gaze upon ancient Native American rock art and explore old ghost towns. The book features detailed directions, full-page maps for every route, backcountry driving how-to tips, photographs and information sources. With this easy-to-use guidebook and an SUV, footloose singles, families with children and vagabonding retirees can now explore the wilds of the California Desert comfortably and conveniently, all for the price of single tank of gas!

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Product Details

• Spiral-bound: 160 pages
• Publisher: Post Co; 1 edition (February 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0963656031
• ISBN-13: 978-0963656032
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 5.4 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #2,077,608 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars one page wonders, January 19, 2000

By	[e-mail] (san francisco) - See all my reviews

This spiral-bound book has a great one-page description/one-page map format which makes it easy to use in the car. Huegel has travelled backroads both familiar and less-known and his descriptions are accurate if a little bland. At times I wish he had expanded his prose beyond the rigid one page format but the visitor with a sharp eye can find the sites and sights he omits. He adventures with his family and avoids rough roads like the Lippincott Mine Road in DVNP (a wise decision as drivers need experience here) concentrating on easier routes, although the Inyo Mountain trip definitely needs 4WD (its pretty tough in spots). He also includes many routes outside the familiar park system proving that you don't have to go to a designated scenic area to enjoy driving in the California desert.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A real good guide if you like backcountry exploring., May 2, 1999

By A Customer

I find California Desert Byways really to be just right, since I'm not a hard-core four-wheeler. I just like getting off the beaten path and do some fun exploring, actually using my SUV's off-highway abilities. Since most of S. Calif. is desert, this book is a real good resource.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is a great guide for people with SUVs., December 28, 1998

By A Customer

This is a really good guidebook for anyone who drives a stock sport-utility vehicle, and who wants to explore the backways of places like Death Valley, Joshua Tree, Anza-Borrego, Mojave Preserve and lots of lesser-known places in the California desert. Real handy, with a spiral binding and color maps.