Rocky Mountain National Park Dayhiker's Guide (Paperback)

~ (Author) "If you're looking for landscapes rich in water features, you cannot do better than hike in the Wild Basin area of the southeast region..." (more)
Key Phrases: altitude gain, river scenery, trail ascends, Longs Peak, Bear Lake, The Loch (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Rocky Mountain National Park is one of our greatest natural treasures. In words and color photographs, this guide describes thirty-three of the best dayhikes in the park, emphasizing not only the destination of the hike, but also the remarkable features along the way. The guide includes route descriptions for Longs Peak, Calypso Cascades, Ouzel Falls, The Loch, Hallett Peak, Sky Pond, Lulu City, and many more. Cross-referenced with "Trails Illustrated" topographic maps. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 141 pages
• Publisher: Johnson Books (March 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1555663400
• ISBN-13: 978-1555663407
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #345,161 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

34 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fine Introduction to the Rocky Mountain Backcountry, June 4, 2000

By	David M. Garrett (San Antonio, Texas USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Rocky Mountain National Park Dayhiker's Guide: A Scenic Guide to 33 Favorite Hikes Including Longs Peak (Paperback)

This is an outstanding introduction for those preparing to shun the automobile for the Rocky Mountain National Park backcountry. In a brief 140 pages Jerome Malitz delivers a superb overview of 33 park trails and destinations. Malitz's introduction includes a nice survey of park flora and fauna, geology and history. There is also a concise overview of precautions before heading into the backcountry. (I've hiked extenstivley in RMNP and strongly advise heeding Malitz's cautions. However inviting the scenery and innocent appearing the trail, RMNP is not Disney World. People, especially those who casually head down the trail without forethought, can get into trouble.)

Information on destinations is logically grouped by sections corresponding to general areas of the park. Each section begins with a very legible, color USGS topographical map with trails and campsites marked. Within each section, Malitz gives a nice description of the trail including the trailhead of choice, distance, altitude gain and elevation at the destination. Narrative is punctuated by color photography of key landmarks.

This is a fine primer on RMNP backcountry and will whet the appetite of any who are ready to see what is beyond Trailridge Road or the parking lot. (For readers ready for the next level of detail, I also recommend Dannen's "Hiking Rocky Mountain National Park" (8th Ed.). Together, these two books provide the maps, photography, narrative and detail to send you on your way with zeal and confidence.

27 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A good source of information for planning a visit, February 3, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Rocky Mountain National Park Dayhiker's Guide: A Scenic Guide to 33 Favorite Hikes Including Longs Peak (Paperback)

Not bad. Each hiking trail has 2 to 3 pages written about it and a couple of color pictures. The length (in miles), point to start, and elevation change is listed for each trail. We have two small children and are using this book to plan our visit to the park so we don't go to the wrong area. The shortest trail listed is 0.1 miles and the longest is 16 miles (round trip). The highlights of each trail (water fall, lake, view, etc.) are briefly described. I am happy I bought it but the maps are cut up (to cover each individual area of the park)so prior to visiting the park I still will need to purchase an overall map of the park.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great guide!, September 23, 2003

By	Candace Scott (Lake Arrowhead, CA, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Rocky Mountain National Park Dayhiker's Guide: A Scenic Guide to 33 Favorite Hikes Including Longs Peak (Paperback)

I own shelves of hiking guides on Colorado, and this one is near the top of the list. Not only is it informative, instructive and accurate, Malitz writes well and gives the hiker all the essential information needed to make the trek. I live outside of Colorado and only visit for a few weeks each year, specifically to climb 14-ers and the magnificent Rocky Mountain National Park. Being unfamiliar with the Colorado roads and most of their trailheads, I necessarily rely on this guide to get me to the trailhead with no hassle and accurate driving directions. Roach has never disappointed me. He gives exhaustive directions and includes a map for each trek. If you need a four-wheel drive vehicle to get to your destination, he will let you know. If you have a drive on a dirt road for 6 miles to reach the trailhead, that information will be included.

He also describes the trail conditions, whether it's rocky, has scree, is exposed and has a ranking system for how difficult the hike is. If there is scrambling involved or permanent snow fields, he lets you know. If it's a class 3 hike but listed in other guides as class 4, Malitz makes the correction and explains why he feels this way.

There are separate sections on the unique and often volatile weather in the Colorado peaks. This is imperative for out-of-state hikers who aren't familiar with the frequent, violent afternoon thunderstorms in the Rockies. When I hiked in RMNP for the first time, I photocopied several chapters and took it with me in my pack, and was glad I did. When the thunderstorms began, I descended ASAP, following his advice. This is an outstanding hiking guide. I wouldn't hike in the Rocky Mountain state without it and neither should you. Enjoy!