BOOKS ABOUT TRAILS

Classic Treks : The 30 Most Spectacular Hikes in the World

By: Bill Birkett

Classic Treks will help you realize your dreams -- of trekking among the world's highest mountains, discovering remote areas far from the noise and stress of civilization, encountering rare animals and birds, glorying in sunsets over snow-covered peaks, and experiencing the satisfaction of completing some of the world's most spectacular hikes.

Written by a team of experienced guides who have hiked each of the featured treks, the text evokes the scenery, wildlife, forests and flowers, and local culture -- and transports you to some of the most beautiful and remote parts of the world. Detailed fact files provide all the essential information needed to plan your trip: distance and duration, difficulty and altitude, permits, maps and guidebooks, when to visit, health and personal safety, as well as key features about wildlife, plants, facilities, local food and customs, and scenic highspots.

Stunning photographs, illustrations, and specially commissioned maps combine to give a vivid picture of the special nature of each hike and also provide a visual guide to the terrain and difficulty level. A practical introductory section gives advice on choosing a trek, equipment, preparation, general health and safety, tips on camping and provisioning, and guidance about how to protect the wilderness in which you are hiking.

From the depths of the Grand Canyon to the foothills of Everest, Classic Treks provides both inspiration and information to help you plan your next adventure. Hikes vary from two days to three weeks in length, and from high altitude climbs in rugged, remote country to undemanding coastal walks, so that no matter whether you are a highly experienced hiker or weekend adventurer, you will find routes to suit your capabilities and inclinations.

With a worldwide directory of useful contracts, and covering all the major mountain ranges in North and South America, Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australasia, Classic Treks is sure to be the ultimate inspiration for hikers worldwide.

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Californias Wilderness Areas the Complete Guide Mountains and Coastal Ranges

By: George Wuerthner

Nearly fifteen percent of California is designated as wilderness, more square miles of wildlands than any other state except Alaska. This volume includes 60 wilderness areas, from little-known gems to national treasures such as John Muir and Ansel Adams Wildernesses. Each entry highlights the area's geology, ecosystems, plant and animal species, and recreational opportunities, along with schematic maps and suggested hikes--all the information you'll need to enjoy California's myriad wilderness areas.

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Foghorn Outdoors: California Hiking

By: Tom Stienstra, Ann Marie Brown

In this new edition, all trail specifics have been updated. Added are synopses of the area's outstanding features, environmental status, and "report cards" grading particular hikes for beauty, number of people, access, campgrounds, side trips, and secret spots.

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America's National Historic Trails

By: Kathleen A. Cordes, Jane Lammers

Cordes provides a vivid history of each trail, a listing of points of interest (with accompanying maps), helpful touring information, and 80 full-color photos capturing the essence and diverse heritage of America's 12 national historic trails.

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Bay Area Mountain Bike Trails : 50 Mountain Bike Trails Throughout the San Francisco Bay Area

By: Conrad J. Boisvert

Explore the many off-road biking areas of the San Francisco Bay Area with this handy and complete guidebook. Despite its large population, the Bay Area offers a wealth of hidden trails for mountain bikers to experience, all within easy distance from major cities within the region. From Annadel State Park in Santa Rosa in the north to Henry Coe State Park in Gilroy in the south, from Wilder Ranch along the coast to Morgan Territory, buried remotely in the shadow of Mount Diablo, the Bay Area has innumerable places to ride.

Ride on the spectacular ridges of Mt. Tamalpais, the birthplace of the mountain bike.

Experience the challenge of single-track at Soquel Demonstration Forest.

Get in touch with the San Francisco Bay in Shoreline Park or Coyote Hills.

View the panoramic vistas of the Golden Gate Bridge and Sausalito from the trails in the Marin Headlands.

Ride along the Pacific Coast in Santa Cruz at Wilder Ranch.

Experience the remoteness of Morgan Territory in Livermore.

Challenge yourself in the hills of Mt. Diablo.

See the Loma Prieta Earthquake epicenter in The Forest of Nisene Marks.Bay Area Mountain Bike Trails previews 45 individual mountain bike rides, ranging from 5 to 33 miles in length, throughout the Bay Area. Detailed maps and carefully prepared ride directions make it easy to follow the route for each ride. Elevation profiles show you where the hills are and how big they are.

Get on your mountain bike, put on your helmet, and head for the hills!

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Best Coast Hikes of Northern California : A Guide to the Top Trails from Big Sur to the Oregon Border

By: Marc J. Soares

Best Coast Hikes of Northern California presents 75 scenic trails for hikers and nature-lovers of all skill levels. From gentle afternoon walks for the whole family to more challenging full- and multi-day adventures, the carefully chosen routes offer a magnificent blend of stark bluffs and secluded beaches, tidepools and clear creeks, quiet marshes and mighty waterfalls, lush green canyons and jagged rock outcrops.

-- Trails are grouped from north to south and include little-known routes through many of California's state and national parks.

-- Listings include the length of each hike, the degree of difficulty, directions to the trailhead, a route map, estimated hiking time, and the best seasons to enjoy the wildflowers, views, waterfalls, and wildlife.

-- Advice is offered on safety, climate, wilderness ethics, clothing, and things to do for added enjoyment.

-- Appendices list hikes that are best for bird watching, trails for horseback riding, wheelchair-accessible hikes, and trails on which dogs are permitted.

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101 Hikes in Southern California : Exploring Mountains, Seashore and Desert

By: Jerry Schad

Jerry Schad knew what he was doing when he wrote this book. He introduces a number of trails that are both well known and some trails that are more hidden. He answers every question you can possibly have about each trail. They are rated and described in detail so any hiker of any level can find the "right" hike.

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100 Hikes in Arizona

By: Scott S. Warren

This guide features the best trails through Arizona's diverse terrain, from conifer forests to cacti-covered deserts. Includes trails for every skill and energy level. Includes maps, photos, distance and more.

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Arizona Day Hikes : A Guide to the Best Trails from Tucson to the Grand Canyon

By: Dave Ganci

Two books in one, this hiking guide features 100 of Arizona's best hiking trails, and an authoritative guide to the natural history of the Grand Canyon State's landscape. Ganci's knowledge of native species and local conditions, accompanied by 30 line drawings and 15 maps, helps hikers learn to identify each region's geology, weather, plant and animal life.

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Best Easy Day Hikes Mount St. Helens (FalconGuide)

By: Fred Barstad

This book is written for visitors to Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument who like to hike. The 61 detailed hike descriptions cover nearly all the trails within the Monument. Included are multi-day backpack trips, long and short day hikes, climbs to the summit, family hikes suitable for small children, and a few hikes that are barrier free.

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Best Easy Day Hikes Grand Canyon (FalconGuide)

By: Ron Adkison

The Best Easy Day Hikes books are compact, easy-to-use guides to accessible and scenic trails in our national parks. These guidebooks are written for visitors who only have a short time to see the park and want a short, easy-to-moderately-strenuous hike.

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