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Title: Hiking the Grand Canyon by John Annerino ISBN: 0-87156-589-7 Publisher: Sierra Club Books Pub. Date: 04 May, 1993 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $16.95 |
Average Customer Rating: 4.44 (16 reviews)
Rating: 5
Summary: The best-ever Grand Canyon hiking guide!
Comment: I hike rim to rim to rim several times a year in the Grand Canyon, so I know the inner corridor trails pretty well. This book should now be considered the definitive guide for hiking in the Grand Canyon and the strong points of this book are worth noting. The maps are excellent, as are the descriptions of how to get to trail head. However, the book is incomplete in certain areas and outdated. The Grand Canyon has implemented a shuttle system to stem the horrific crowds (I don't see much improvement) and hikers now can't drive to the South Kaibab trail or Hermit's Rest trail. The directions in this book are therefore rendered confusing due to the new restrictions.
Most importantly, the authors neglect to stress that in order to successfully complete long hikes at the Grand Canyon, you must be physically prepared. Several times a year I hike rim to rim and then back the next day. This is 24 miles of hiking with some serious elevation gains. Oftentimes I pass many sick, debilitated and unprepared hikers who quite obviously didn't do any physical preparation for this hike. Physically fit people should be able to do it in 3-4 hours coming up, but many are stuck on the trail for 12 hours and suffering. This could be avoided by exercising and hiking for months in advance in order to enjoy and relish the spectacular experience.
The author does detail the debilitating and life-threatening heat conditions that exist in the Canyon. I recommend to anyone planning long hikes *not* to attempt them in the summer! Temperatures frequently exceed 110 degrees and heat exhaustion and/or heat stroke can result. The best months to hike in the Grand Canyon are October, November and April.
The Grand Canyon (even with the terrible crowds) is a sublime experience and Phantom Ranch is the best part of the canyon. Forget the mule and use your own two feet. It's a magical experience, a great hike and one you will want to do again and again!
Rating: 5
Summary: The Best Grand Canyon Hiking Guide...So Far
Comment: In the last 19 years at least seven general interest Grand Canyon hiking guides have been published and so far this is the best for those folks who want to hike not only the popular trails but other trails and routes as well. Included are excellent descriptions of all the popular trails but many less visited trails and routes are also included (ie, Apache, Tuckup, Whitmore). Of all the in-print guides his trail descriptions are the most up-to-date and his trail mileages are the most accurate. The "introductory" sections on natural history, Native American cultures, etc. are added bonuses. Other important features include lists of water sources and temple and butte climbing history. The book's small compact size lends itself to be carried easily in one's day or backpack. The only negative notes I would add are that some of his trail descriptions need minor updating and the bibliographies could also use updating. The index has been improved since the last edition. For those folks wanting to hike only the most popular trails consider "Hiking Grand Canyon National Park" by Adkisson or "Official Guide to Hiking Grand Canyon" by Thybony. (I have been told a 2001 edition is planned for the Thybony book.) Both of these are excellent guides. Annerino's book includes a fold-out trail map but one venturing off the heavily travelled trails should consider the National Geographic Trails Illustrated Grand Canyon Topo Map. (Note: I have lived at the Grand Canyon for over 11 years, have hiked below the rim over 5,000 miles and have hiked most of the routes in the book.)
Rating: 5
Summary: Complete Guide to Grand Canyon
Comment: This is the only guide to GC I've ever used. It's taken me safely in and out numerous times. It has the necessities of info. on water, temperatures, distances, obstacles to the routes, elevations, etc.
It seems there is a trend towards people wanting to be held by the hand on their hikes: graphics of the trails, topos included in the guidebook, campsites designated, viewpoints mentioned, etc...
The reality is, one's better of getting the USGS topos, a compass (assuming you know how to use it), and with basic info. provided by a great guide like this, you're set. The detail of this guidebook is in the depth of general information: years of monthly temp. averages, highs, lows. Years of averages on precipitation. It is also reliable in determining the difficulty of a trail and what type of hiker it's suited to.
This book lets you sit down, determine what trail you want, the best time of year, for temps, precip., etc, based on YOUR preferences. The route descriptions are to the point and don't get bogged down in unnecessary detail.
If you don't want much adventure, take the huge practically paved trails (such as Bright Angel - you'll still be physically challenged and be immersed in tremendous beauty) or hire a professional guide, don't blame a great guide book such as this.
Happy hiking.
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Title: Grand Canyon Trail Map by Kent Schulte ISBN: 0966550846 Publisher: Sky Terrain Pub. Date: 01 September, 2001 List Price(USD): $9.95 |
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Title: Hiking Grand Canyon National Park by Ron Adkison ISBN: 1560445661 Publisher: Falcon Pub. Date: 01 July, 1997 List Price(USD): $14.95 |
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Title: Official Guide to Hiking the Grand Canyon by Scott Thybony ISBN: 0938216481 Publisher: Grand Canyon Association Pub. Date: June, 2003 List Price(USD): $11.95 |
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Title: Hiking Grand Canyon Loops by George Steck ISBN: 0762712082 Publisher: Falcon Pub. Date: 01 February, 2002 List Price(USD): $16.95 |
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Title: Grand Canyon Treks: 12,000 Miles Through the Grand Canyon by Harvey Butchart, Wynne Benti, Jorgen Visbak ISBN: 0964753022 Publisher: Spotted Dog Pr Pub. Date: June, 1998 List Price(USD): $16.95 |
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