Guidebook Reviews

[Lizard]

Title: Hiking Grand Canyon National Park
Author: Ron Adkinson
Publisher: Falcon Press (1997)

This book covers all the hiking trails in Grand Canyon National Park. Trail descriptions are very detailed, and include data points and elevation profiles.
Water availability and trailhead directions are also covered. The first third of the book also covers the natural history of the GC-geology, flora and fauna, etc. This is a good utilitarian guide to the trails of the park.

Rating: 7/10

Note: This guide covers ONLY the trails, and doesn't include even short side trips. If you are planning to hike off-trail in the GC, you might want the book reviewed below.
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"Men wanted for hazardous journey. Small wages, bitter cold, long months of complete darkness, constant danger, safe return doubtful. Honor and recognition in case of success.”- Sir Ernest Shackleton, newspaper classified.

[Lizard]

Title: Grand Canyon Treks
Author: Harvey Butchart
Publisher: Spotted Dog Press, 1998

The author of this book has been called the "authority on Grand Canyon hiking" by Colin Fletcher. This trail guide has details on many of the trails in the Grand Canyon as well as many unique off-trail routes that are not to be found in any other guidebook. The descriptions are detailed enough to understand the route, but not so detailed that there are no surprises. Very highly recommended.

Rating: 9/10

Note: There are two sequels to this book (Grand Canyon Treks II & III), but I have not had the chance to check them out yet.
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"Men wanted for hazardous journey. Small wages, bitter cold, long months of complete darkness, constant danger, safe return doubtful. Honor and recognition in case of success.”- Sir Ernest Shackleton, newspaper classified.

[desertgirl]

Good reference for Canyoneers ....

Title: Canyoneering Arizona (1998)
Author: Tyler Williams
Publisher: Funhog Press, Flagstaff, AZ

Book contains canyoneering hikes located in the AZ. Information in this book can be obtained elsewhere. The hikes in the book are hikes that will require varied canyoneering skill levels. Hikes are identified by level of skill needed and has some good descriptions of the challenges you will be negotiating on the hike. Unless you are into canyoneering, I would not specifically recommend this book
Rating: 5/10

Note: I like the general section this book has that talks about Canyoneering in general!
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Photos: http://www.pbase.com/desertgirl/galleries
Life is but a dream ...there is no end to what you can dream!

[desertgirl]

Funky hiking guide for Flagstaff & Sedona....

Title: Favorite Hikes Flagstaff & Sedona (2000)
Author: Cosmic Ray
Publisher: Cosmic Ray

Handy book, fun maps & descriptions of the best trails in the Flagstaff & Sedona areas (includes the Vortex Hikes). Cosmic Ray makes the trail descriptions & maps fun. I like this book -- has good collection of trails but it willleave the hardcore hiker looking for the obscure trails wanting. This usually makes a great beginner hiker gift!

Rating: 6/10

Note: The cheeriest hiking guide I have encountered! I also like Cosmic Rays Bike trails book!
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Photos: http://www.pbase.com/desertgirl/galleries
Life is but a dream ...there is no end to what you can dream!

[desertgirl]

Excellent guide to GrandCanyon hikes accessible from the Colorado River
Title: Day Hikes from the River (2nd Edition 2002)
Author: Tom Martin
Publisher: Vishnu Temple Press

Awesome resource for hikes in the Grand Canyon with access from the river -- written by a commercial river rafter who has been leading hikes from the river since 1969! Excellent selection of 100 hikes throughout the length of the river in Grand Canyon. Detailed descriptions for the river rafters who seek to explore the depths of the many canyons that open into the Colorado in the Grand Canyon area. Hikes are day hikes (Easy to difficult) starting at river's edge with cross reference to River mile locations (match Larry Steven's The Colorado River in Grandcanyon A Guide) and also give options for raft tie-ins to easily access these hikes. All hikes have detailed topo accompanying them.

Rating: 8/10

Note: Definitely written for the river rafts. Access to most of the trails are from riverside only.
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Photos: http://www.pbase.com/desertgirl/galleries
Life is but a dream ...there is no end to what you can dream!

[desertgirl]

Resource for the Trail Pooch ....

Title: Doin' Arizona with your Pooch! (1996)
Author: Eileen Barish
Publisher: Pet-Friendly Publications

This is a nice resource for those that are begining to hike with their "Pooch". As a hiking book ...not much of a resource. You can find "leash info" on HAZ!(Pretty much any trail that does not allow pets - let you know in their descriptions - so a few minutes of web - research or a quick phone call will get you the latest info!). What I DO LIKE about this book is the list of places that allow pets and some general pet care info!

Rating: Pooch Hikers: 7/10 Overall: 4/10

Note:

Colin adds & I will agree with him and revise the rating..

[desertgirl]

Grand Canyon - Major trails....

Title: Official guide to Hiking the Grand Canyon 2nd Ed (2001)
Author: Scott Thybony
Publisher: Grand Canyon Natural History Association

Short & to the point information about major Grand Canyon Trails! The trail descriptions are short, have essential details - Length ( includes key points along the way), Elevations, Water Sources, Trail conditions, TrailHead, Route (This is a fairly short description - so would need additional supporting information), Elevation Profile (with good geological summary information) and Topo of the trail area

Rating: 6/10

Note: I personally like this book and it supports the Grand Canyon Natural History Association!
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Photos: http://www.pbase.com/desertgirl/galleries
Life is but a dream ...there is no end to what you can dream!

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