5 comments about Trails of the Angeles: 100 Hikes in the San Gabriels (Hiking & Biking).

1. This book is just filled with great trails. It includes a detailed map, only drawback is the map is not laminated (waterproof) but all inall i never leave home without this



2. John W Robinson's experience and unique historical perspective set this guide apart. It is a simple, no-nonsense guide. There are no fancy Icons, or detail maps (a great separate topo style map is included). I own a few guides which feature some hikes in Angeles National Forest. This is the only guide which focuses solely on the San Gabriels (with a couple in the nearby San Bernadinos). I "Trails" religously. My copy is worn out, taped up, coffee stained, and full of tape flags. I have read and re-read each hike inumerably. If you plan on hiking the San Gabriels, this is the only book you need.



3. My wife has discovered the benefits of exercise. First, there was (and still is) the Y, where she spends 2-3 hours a day with step classes, cross trainers, and weights. The sick thing is, she loves it. (I go perhaps 3-4 hours per week, but only because I know it's good for me. I'd much rather sit with a good book, cheeseburger, and fries.) In any case, she's now discovered walking/hiking. She speed walks 10 miles every Saturday morning with a like-minded group of fanatics. They're planning to hike to the bowels of the Grand Canyon, and back up, in 2008; I'll be the one on the rim drinking iced tea.
   
   TRAILS OF THE ANGELES describes 100 hikes into the San Gabriel Mountains north of Los Angeles. (It doesn't include the Verdugo Mountains immediately to the south of the San Gabriels or the San Bernardino Mountains further east, in case you're wondering.) I thought my wife and her walking chums would find it useful for getting into trekking shape.
   
   The 2-3 pages dedicated to each of the hundred hikes includes "Features" and "Description", as well as a heading noting the hike's length, difficulty, and season. Perhaps two-thirds include a single black and white photo of something interesting to be seen nowadays or some structure of the past now represented only by ruins. Additionally, the volume contains separate brief chapters: "The San Gabriel Mountains" (geology, fauna, vegetation), "Humans in the San Gabriels" (a history of human influence on the area, recreational hiking being a major pastime between 1895-1938 before paved roads invaded the wilderness), "Hiking Hints" (including "hiker ethics"), and "Using This Book".
   
   TRAILS OF THE ANGELES ends with a "Summary of Hikes", which lists all 100 according to difficulty (easy to strenuous), length (1 to 28 miles), and trip (round trip, one way, or loop).
   
   The key ingredients of any guide of this sort are the directions given to the trailhead, and the route to be followed once boots hit the ground. Author John Robinson seems to do reasonably well at this though, mind you, I haven't had to put the acquired knowledge to practical use - yet. Directions to the various trailheads follow the same general tone as the following (Angeles Forest Highway to Big Tujunga Narrows, Hike #53):
   
   "Drive up the Angeles Crest Highway to Clear Creek Junction, then left on the Angeles Forest Highway (L.A. County Road N3) to an unmarked parking area shaded by a lone incense-cedar on your right, 15.5 miles from La Canada. If you reach the Narrows Bridge, you've driven 0.3 miles too far." What happens if some prankster chops down that cedar tree in the dead of night and hauls it away for firewood?
   
   Once on the chosen path, Robinson's directions are exact (as for Eaton Saddle to Markham Saddle, San Gabriel Peak, Hike #32):
   
   "Walk past the locked gate and across the rugged south face of San Gabriel Peak via the Mt. Lowe fire road 0.5 mile to Markham Saddle. At the saddle, just beyond the water tank, turn sharp right (north) and pick up a brushy, unmarked trail leading up the mountainside. Follow the trail up one switchback, then across the west slope of San Gabriel Peak to the high saddle between Mt. Disappointment and San Gabriel Peak, about 0.75 mile. Part of this pathway is eroded where it crosses the steep slope, so watch your step. At the saddle, turn right (east) and follow a steep climbers' trail up the ridge to the top." Hmm, do you suppose they could replace the water tank with a coke machine?
   
   A picture, so to speak, is worth a thousand words. And it's here that TRAILS OF THE ANGELS falls a bit short, in my opinion. Whereas in the hiking guides authored by Robert Stone (e.g. DAY HIKES AROUND LOS ANGELES and DAY HIKES ON THE CALIFORNIA SOUTHERN COAST) where each route is illustrated with a very detailed map within the book itself, TRAILS OF THE ANGELS attempts to accomplish the same with a separate, but included, 38" x 19" recreational map of the region. One side is a small scale rendering of the entire San Gabriel range, the other "zooms-in" on individual locales (Liebre Mountain Area, Crystal Lake Area, Big Tujunga Area, North of Pasadena, and Mount Baldy Area). On both sides, the trails are drawn in red with the corresponding hike number (1-100) from the book noted alongside. Now, while this seems acceptable, and is probably perfectly adequate, I would personally prefer the relatively large scale rendering of each trail in the Stone books and not have to unfold an unwieldy map every time I needed visual reinforcement. What if the unfolded map blows away in a sudden gust? I guess it's a matter of individual preference and experience (the latter of which I have none - yet).
   
   My wife has been closely studying TRAILS OF THE ANGELS, visually evaluating my physical constitution with a critical eye, and verbally sampling my willingness to be a trekking buddy. She's already gone and purchased hiking boots. Oh Lord, I've created a monster. I could've gotten her the GUIDE TO L.A. COMFORT FOOD EMPORIUMS instead, but no!



4. The descriptions are nice, but unlike the San Bernardino mountain version of this book, there are no GPS coordinates of the trailhead. I hope the next version includes them.



5. This book is the go to source for hiking in the San Gabriel mountains.
   I have earlier editions, and was pleased to see many hikes updated and revisited and new ones added.
   All previously closed or open hikes now revisited and updated.
   author is handing off this book to writer of a younger generation who embraces the same spirit and style of the excellent ealier editions.
   nicely done.
   glad I updated my copy.
   Also comes with a great water proof-tear proof map.
   buy this book.

No comments about American Indian Archival Material: A Guide to Holdings in the Southeast.

5 comments about Cross-Country Ski Vacations: A Guide to the Best Resorts, Lodges, and Groomed Trails in North America.

1. Cross-Country Ski Vacations is a delicious introduction to North American cross-country ski resorts and a refreshing testimonial to what's best about snow: skiing upon it!

   Jonathan Wiesel's humorous dialogue leads readers past the continent's biggest mountains and over the finest snows while highlighting lodges, food and services. In particular, I enjoyed the personal connection that the writer gives within each chapter by introducing readers to the local skiers or the local history.

   It's obvious that the writer has skied every one of the trails in his book and that he would love to have each reader join him on the cross-country ski pistes.




2. Cross-Country Ski Vacations is a delicious introduction to North American cross-country ski resorts and a refreshing testimonial to what's best about snow: skiing upon it!

   Jonathan Wiesel's humorous dialogue leads readers past the continent's biggest mountains and over the finest snows while highlighting lodges, food and services. In particular, I enjoyed the personal connection that the writer gives within each chapter by introducing readers to the local skiers or the local history.

   It's obvious that the writer has skied every one of the trails in his book and that he would love to have each reader join him on the cross-country ski pistes.




3. Thanks to Jon Wiesel for doing the leg work for this great guide--and kudos for presenting his exhaustive research with such style and wit. It's been a wonderful help in planning (and dreaming) for family ski vacations; I've also used it extensively for my business. It's clear Wiesel has done his homework, and he understands what skiers are looking for: We want to know how good the tracks are, but we also want to know about the food, the beds, the hosts, etc., not to mention approximately how much money we'll be spending and how long it will take to get there. And the best thing: Weisel's love for skiing comes across loud and clear--echoing the way so many of us feel about the sport. Thanks!



4. There are some rave reviews about this book already posted. I do not want to unduly detract from this excellent book. However, I do believe some balance should be given. This book, as a vacation guide, is ok. It provides a broad sweep of resorts and fine ski areas, but without any indepth insights about any of them. If you're interested in trying out a new area, this guide is excellent as a starting point for your web research. You will need other guides, or dig out on the web or from references, to really plan out your trip.

   I was particularly disappointed with the lack of information available on Northeast areas, but perhaps my expectations were off...again partially due to the rave reviews on this site.
   For example, 1 page is given about the Lake Placid region. Perhaps this region is more well known than others so a reminder is not needed?

   Fundamentally, I think this guide tries to take on too large a geographic region. I was looking for a few selections in different price categories that were independently reviewed,
   and best-in-class. This book doesn't quite hit that mark.




5. My husband and I have used this book to plan more than ten vacations and on each one we've had a great time. We are at two different levels of skiing (beginner/intermediate and intermediate/advanced), but using this book we have been able to find places that are perfect for both of us. Every place we have been to has had great food and amenities, too, which we read about beforehand. It has been really nice to know that we can plan a vacation being confident that when we get there, we'll have a great time.

No comments about Wanderings of an Artist Among the Indians of North America.

No comments about National Parks of North America: Canada, United States, Mexico.

No comments about An Indian Winter.

No comments about Warriors of the North Pacific.

2 comments about Runes of the North (Fesler-Lampert Minnesota Heritage Book Series).

1. Olson's use of sensory description is a powerful tool in his writing, particularly Ghost Camps of the North (an essay in Ruins of the North). Olson takes the reader on a fantastic adventure in each and every one of his essays. Not only does he take the reader to various geographical locations, but he also takes the reader back to the days of the French/ Canadian Voyageurs, and trappers. Ruins of the North contains work that traces the path the voyagers took from Montreal to Grand Portage, and into the far North The careful description of the Hunting Moon rising has a majical quality about it. Olson is a master nature/ wilderness interpreter that has given the canoeist/ camper a wealth of stories to tell. Reading an essay from Ruins of the North just before one retires at night insures a night filled with vivid dreams, and sound sleep. This can best be illistrated by the Essay The Dream Net.



2. Olson's use of sensory description is a powerful tool in his writing, particularly Ghost Camps of the North (an essay in Ruins of the North). Olson takes the reader on a fantastic adventure in each and every one of his essays. Not only does he take the reader to various geographical locations, but he also takes the reader back to the days of the French/ Canadian Voyageurs, and trappers. Ruins of the North contains work that traces the path the voyagers took from Montreal to Grand Portage, and into the far North The careful description of the Hunting Moon rising has a majical quality about it. Olson is a master nature/ wilderness interpreter that has given the canoeist/ camper a wealth of stories to tell. Reading an essay from Ruins of the North just before one retires at night insures a night filled with vivid dreams, and sound sleep. This can best be illistrated by the Essay The Dream Net.

1 comments about Native American Myths & Legends.

1. I enjoyed reading this book and it opened my eyes however dull moments appeared occasionally. i would reccomend this book to others intrested in creation and alternate explanations for the world around us.

No comments about Pictures of gold rush California.