Backcountry Adventures: Utah : The Ultimate Guide to the Utah Backcountry for Anyone With a Sport Utility Vehicle (Backcountry Adventures) (Paperback)

~ Peter Massey (Author), Jeanne Wilson (Author) "in a normal passenger vehicle. The trails are fairly wide, so that passing is possible at almost any point along the trail..." (more)
Key Phrases: zero trip meter, slickrock pavement, seasonal closure gate, Special Attractions, Utah Atlas, Map References (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

...If you have a desire to use your SUV for something exciting, this is mandatory reading. -- Truck Trend; February 2001

Every detail, from planning a trip to learning the history of your destination, is covered by the authors with experience! -- Moab Times-Independent; April 2003

You have to see these books to appreciate them... Books covering several areas are available. Don't miss this one! -- Trucking Times & SUV News; October, 2002

Product Description

Navigates 3,721 miles of backcountry trails throughout the state. See ghost towns, old mines, old Pony Express stations, old railroads and stage lines along the 175 off-road trails. Directions include GPS coordinates and all trails are rated for difficulty, mileage, driving time, remoteness and more. Descriptions highlight places to camp, hike, mountain bike, fish, and sightsee. Histories recount the days of the Wild West.

Product Details

• Paperback: 576 pages
• Publisher: Swagman Publishing (May 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1930193122
• ISBN-13: 978-1930193123
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.5 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #949,469 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great resource for finding that perfect road, May 13, 2007

By	David W. Geary "Geek" (Salt Lake City, UT USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Backcountry Adventures Utah: The Ultimate Guide to the Utah Backcountry for Anyone with a Sport Utility Vehicle (Paperback)

We have used this throughout central and southwest Utah. It's great for finding that little known unimproved road you've heard about, or planning your trip, and most importantly for knowing just what you are getting into when you go through that cattle gate that leads away from the beaten bath. The trail ratings are accurate, the instructions clear, it lets you know whether there is a way back out, or if you need to be looking for a turnaround, and unlike the dude at the gas station, doesn't forget that you might need 18 inch clearance or a winch on this one. I recommend it highly, it can make the difference between an exciting adventure and a frightening ordeal

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent, But Needs Spiral Binding, May 12, 2008

By	Kevin Conville (Simi Valley, CA United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Backcountry Adventures Utah: The Ultimate Guide to the Utah Backcountry for Anyone with a Sport Utility Vehicle (Paperback)

Backcountry Adventures are the best guides of their kind out there. Odometer references, descriptive text, and (especially) GPS coordinates make these easy and foolproof to use. The map and index for the respective areas, Southeast, Central, etc., make planning your route easy as the different routes are color coded with their page numbers referenced. Good sampling of human interest content also, giving some history, flora and fauna, and geology information.

My only criticism is that these guides should be spiral bound, and pages removable. This would allow the book to lie flat and pages and/or sections could be removed to make it more concise for use on a motorcycle or bicycle. These guides are the size of a mid sized phone book and are too big and heavy for anything but automotive use.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Use with Caution!, April 7, 2009

By	William W. Gorman Jr. (Treasure Island, Florida) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Backcountry Adventures Utah: The Ultimate Guide to the Utah Backcountry for Anyone with a Sport Utility Vehicle (Paperback)

There are serious errors in this book which can be frustrating and DANGEROUS! In April 2009 we used the book to explore Central Region trails #10 and #11. Both give the incorrect starting point from Interstate I-70. This required pulling off the highway and hiking looking for the trails.

The book lists the starting point for trail #10 as just after Mile Marker 145 west bound.

The CORRECT MILE MARKER IS 147 west bound!

The book lists the starting point for trail #11 as Mile marker 144 east bound. We doubt this as we didn't see it!

Actually, the starting point should be the same as trail #10 west bound just after Mile Marker 147. On trail #10 take the first left just after passing the gate and pass under the interstate and follow the trail directions.

This book would serve its reader better with actual topo and satellite views of trails available on Terrain Navigator Pro from My Topo. The line drawings leave much to be desired.

Serious off-road explorers should only use this book as a rough guide and have printed satellite views of the trails available for the trips. Terrain Navigator provides these and the topographic maps. Delorme's competitive offering to Terrain Navigator Pro could be called Terrain Navigator Light as it does not show all the trails.

It is illegal and dangerous to cross the medium of the interstate and it is 19 miles between exits. If you miss the trail the first time you'll be adding 38 miles to your trip.