[.ca] 100 Classic Hikes in Arizona (ISBN 1594850259)

From Amazon.com:
Whether you want to scramble up the parched red rock of Boynton Canyon, soak your weary feet at the base of Havasu Falls, or cross Hidden Valley's desert sands dotted with Saguaro cactus, Arizona has a hike to suit your inclination and ability. Classic Hikes offers 100 choice trails for day hikers and backpackers alike to explore five regions of Arizona, including the Colorado plateau, central highlands, central deserts, southeastern basin and range, and western deserts. The guide features awe-inspiring color photos by the author, along with maps and at-a-glance information that details mileage, hiking time, elevation, seasonal considerations, and contact information. Each trail description contains directions to the trailhead, possible hazards, trail gradation, major junctions, and notable vegetation. Longing for solitude far from frequently used trails? Warren examines little-known routes where "stone spires, totems, and hoodoos" will surround you, but also covers trails where rafters and "4WD vehicles packed with tourists" become part of the landscape. He also touches on the region's rich history, noting facts about the people who once lived there and the ruins they left behind. In other words, Classic Hikes offers something for everyone ready to explore Arizona's storied past and diverse wilderness. --Jenny Burritt

hiker:
I bought this book best on the excellent recommendations found in this site, and I was quite disappointed. Some pointers to consider: - The book is printed on chromo paper, making it too heavy for its size in your backpack. - The maps are tiny schematic things, giving you zero appreciation of the topography you will traverse through. - Has enough photos to fit coffee table display, BUT has no gradings of hikes for quality. If you have limited time in AZ you will not know how to cherry pick based on this book. Picking trails based on one narrow-view photo is not optimal. - For desert country most trails in this book are in-out the same way rather than loops. - Many hikes are concentrated near big cities. Do you really want to climb a ridge for commanding views of Tucson or Phoenix? And eventually spend the night in a camp site 1-2 hrs drive from these? - The NE and W are almost ignored (see p.11, using this book). It is not a bad hiking book. Just definitely not a great one, and probably not quite for serious hikers.

Stellar photography, great descriptions:
Arizona is a great state to hike. Even without the magnificent hikes in and around the Grand Canyon, there are plenty of other trails to explore and enjoy. This book does it all! It is an exceptionally well-designed book for hikers across the spectrum. Whether you're a neophyte or have climbed Denali, this book contains all the essential information you need to tackle the hikes listed. The photos are all in color and are breathtaking! You really get a sense of what each hike will look like before you undertake it. Every hike also has a color map to accompany the text description. The maps are easy to follow and instructive. Equally pleasing is that the authors take the time to describe each hike in extensive detail, though they are never wordy. They list the elevation gains, give succinct but necessary directions to each trailhead and provide ample analysis of the strengths/weaknesses of each trek. The book is small and light enough to carry in your backpack, if you feel the need to consult it while on the trail. I have over 50 hiking books in my library and it would be hard to imagine a more complete, more photographically stunning or better written guide. I enthusiastically recommend this gem!

See all the Desert has to Offer:
From Arizona's gorges, to desert terrain, to streambeds and more...this book has pics and descriptives of them all. If you want to experience Arizona's plant life and varied terrains, then set out on a course of your choice and take along this book to enjoy it to the fullest.

Excellent Guide!:
I am not an Arizona resident, so I only have the oportunity to hike there every now and then. This book has helped me to find some of the nicer spots, and go on those hikes well prepared. Maps are pretty good (although it seems that one of them was a little off in scale... not sure though... the textual description was extremely accurate). The book is beatifully illustrated, and well written. A must-have for hiking enthusiasts.

A picture is worth a thousand words:
This book is printed on good quality paper. The color pictures and hike descriptions give the reader a feel for the terrain. Since I live on the east coast my time out West is limited to seven to ten day vacations. With so many things one can see and do on a vacation in Arizona, choosing is difficult. This book helped me cherry pick the hikes. A state map of Arizona in the front of the book shows the location of all 100 hikes, so you know what hikes are available for any part of the state.