Rating: 
Summary: One of the best!
Review: At first I was skeptical, mostly because of the title, but I bought this book anyway. Wow. This is one of the best hiking guides I have ever read. The descriptions are clear, the directions easy to follow, and everything in the book matched the hike! I like the honest writing and the rating system, these make it easier to pick out hikes that fit my mood and overall shape of fitness, or lack of fitness in my case. I'd recommend it to anyone who wants to explore the American Alps and get a great experience out of it.
Rating: 
Summary: Have fun & better experiences w/this unconventional guide
Review: Driving through North Cascades National Park and peering up at 4000 vertical feet of forest can be daunting. Be sure you see the peaks, glaciers and meadows that make hikers passionate about these mtns. These complete, precise directions tell you where to find mountain magic in staggering abundance. This guidebook describes 110 hikes in southern British Columbia and northern Washington. Includes North Cascades National Park, and Mt. Baker and Glacier Peak wilderness areas, plus BC's Manning and Cathedral parks. Each trip is rated Premier, Outstanding, Worthwhile, or Don't Do.
Rating:
Summary: Best North Cascade Hiking Guide
Review: I believe this book has become the definitive North Cascade hiking guide-none of the others published thus far compares. The information is accurate, the writing enjoyable, and the recommendations are fantastic. I think I've hiked almost all of the `highly recommended' (category 3 & 4) trails in the book, and certainly numerous trails that received lower recommendations or that aren't in the book. I've found the authors' advice to be right on-I've never been disappointed with an itinerary they suggested. Moreover, I have been pleasantly surprised by some of the more `obscure' recommendations, like Twisp Pass, Grasshopper Pass, or Pilot Ridge. Of course I have numerous minor qualms with the ratings of some trails, or with recommended loop directions (White Pass/Pilot Ridge loop should be hiked clockwise for example), but that's to be expected in any ratings process. This is especially true if one considers how the seasons and weather influence any Cascade hiking experience. Yes, the ratings in the book are subjective, but those reviewers that complain about this are missing the point of the book. You are by no means `forbidden' from hiking on trails that receive a low recommendation, you're simply advised to choose others first. There must be around 1000 miles of highly recommended trails in here, and anyone that actually completes even half of them will have enough Cascade hiking experience to judge for themselves where to explore further. I found this book so helpful, that I purchased the authors' 3 other books (Canadian Rockies, Kootenays, BC Coast). I've only had the opportunity to put the BC Coast book to the test, and it's good. I'm disappointed that the authors haven't produced a book for the American Rockies, from Montana to Colorado...what's the hold up! If I drive 9 hours from Seattle to hike in the Rockies, I don't want to pick a bummer trail :) So I guess that's my last point. This is DEFINITELY the sort of book you want to buy if you're traveling from far away to hike in the Cascades or spending the summer in Seattle. Too many people travel to the Northwest and only visit Mt. Pilchuck, Mt. Si, Snow Lake, or the paved trails at Mt. Rainier. There's a lot more out there!
Rating:
Summary: Best North Cascade Hiking Guide
Review: I believe this book has become the definitive North Cascade hiking guide-none of the others published thus far compares. The information is accurate, the writing enjoyable, and the recommendations are fantastic. I think I've hiked almost all of the 'highly recommended' (category 3 & 4) trails in the book, and certainly numerous trails that received lower recommendations or that aren't in the book. I've found the authors' advice to be right on-I've never been disappointed with an itinerary they suggested. Moreover, I have been pleasantly surprised by some of the more 'obscure' recommendations, like Twisp Pass, Grasshopper Pass, or Pilot Ridge. Of course I have numerous minor qualms with the ratings of some trails, or with recommended loop directions (White Pass/Pilot Ridge loop should be hiked clockwise for example), but that's to be expected in any ratings process. This is especially true if one considers how the seasons and weather influence any Cascade hiking experience. Yes, the ratings in the book are subjective, but those reviewers that complain about this are missing the point of the book. You are by no means 'forbidden' from hiking on trails that receive a low recommendation, you're simply advised to choose others first. There must be around 1000 miles of highly recommended trails in here, and anyone that actually completes even half of them will have enough Cascade hiking experience to judge for themselves where to explore further. I found this book so helpful, that I purchased the authors' 3 other books (Canadian Rockies, Kootenays, BC Coast). I've only had the opportunity to put the BC Coast book to the test, and it's good. I'm disappointed that the authors haven't produced a book for the American Rockies, from Montana to Colorado...what's the hold up! If I drive 9 hours from Seattle to hike in the Rockies, I don't want to pick a bummer trail :) So I guess that's my last point. This is DEFINITELY the sort of book you want to buy if you're traveling from far away to hike in the Cascades or spending the summer in Seattle. Too many people travel to the Northwest and only visit Mt. Pilchuck, Mt. Si, Snow Lake, or the paved trails at Mt. Rainier. There's a lot more out there!
Rating:
Summary: Best Hiking Guide I've Purchased
Review: I decided to go with this book based on the excellent reviews and I have to say, I agree with all of them. The hikes I've done out of this book have been fantastic. The authors basically let you know how much "bang for your buck" you get on each hike, and they are right on. During the top rated hikes you get to amazing and varied scenery very quickly. Color photos would be nice, but you can't have everthing.. :)
Rating:
Summary: An excellent book for the experienced hiker
Review: I have been hiking extensively in the Cascades since about 1967. My collection of hike books begins with the first edition of the classic and hard to find 100 Hikes in Western Washington and goes on to Spring, Manning, Darvill, and Beckey. I find Don't Waste Your Time. . . to be particularly useful if you have some hiking experience. Are the Copelands opinionated? Sure! Do they have their biases? Yes! (As a photographer, I tend to share their passion about the high country and scenic vistas.) However, with some hiking experience of your own, you can tell whether or not your tastes agree with theirs and take all this into account when selecting a hike. Personally, I do not always agree with their opinions. Yet, I like the opinions because I am free to agree or disagree with them. However, this book is excellent if, in the words of another reviewer, you want to get the "biggest bang for your buck."
While there are a lot of hike books about the Cascades, there are fewer about the Canadian Rockies. Don't Waste Your Time in the Canadian Rockies is a MUST for anyone who would like to spend some time in a different kind of hiking environment. Don't go to Banff and Jasper without it. . . I would rate this at least six stars!!
Rating:
Summary: An excellent book for the experienced hiker
Review: I have been hiking extensively in the Cascades since about 1967. My collection of hike books begins with the first edition of the classic and hard to find 100 Hikes in Western Washington and goes on to Spring, Manning, Darvill, and Beckey. I find Don't Waste Your Time. . . to be particularly useful if you have some hiking experience. Are the Copelands opinionated? Sure! Do they have their biases? Yes! (As a photographer, I tend to share their passion about the high country and scenic vistas.) However, with some hiking experience of your own, you can tell whether or not your tastes agree with theirs and take all this into account when selecting a hike. Personally, I do not always agree with their opinions. Yet, I like the opinions because I am free to agree or disagree with them. However, this book is excellent if, in the words of another reviewer, you want to get the "biggest bang for your buck."
While there are a lot of hike books about the Cascades, there are fewer about the Canadian Rockies. Don't Waste Your Time in the Canadian Rockies is a MUST for anyone who would like to spend some time in a different kind of hiking environment. Don't go to Banff and Jasper without it. . . I would rate this at least six stars!!
Rating:
Summary: Delivers exactly what it promises.
Review: I just moved to Washington 8 months ago. I wanted to get out and start exploring this beautiful state. However, I did not know where to begin. I wanted opinions on where to start, not a list of trails. This book delivered exactly that. It has helped me to hit some of the best spots in the least amount of time. It has also encouraged me to look further into areas that I enjoyed the most.
Rating: 
Summary: Don't Waste Your Time... With This Book
Review: I suppose if you want a relatively inexpensive "North Cascades" trail guide it's OK, but listen to their advice and you'll end up missing some great hikes.
Rating:
Summary: It'll inspire you to get out more often.
Review: I think Don't Waste Your Time in the North Cascades will compel you to get out even more. I've lived in Bellingham for most of my life. I know the Cascades well. I'm a very experienced hiker and mountaineer. That negative-minded Mike who put this book down isn't comparing apples with apples. Most people would be appalled with the difficulty of the scrambles in the book that he thinks is so good. Most people want trails and need trails. And there's a terrific network of trails in the Cascades. The Copelands' book is an invaluable guide for the vast majority of hikers. What that Mike dude doesn't tell you is how much work it takes to go beyond the end the Perry trail and climb up those mountains unaided by trail. Dickerman has a moderately-ascending, switchbacking trail that makes the 4,000 foot ascent pleasant. Copelands didn't write their book for a handful of scramblers. In addition to having thorough and accurate trail descriptions, this book is literature: intelligent, enjoyable, inspiring. And it's obvious the Copelands love hiking, as this quote displays: "At Whatcom Pass you'll stand in awe of cloud-bursting Whatcom Peak and heart-stopping Challenger Glacier. For those whose place of worship is the mountains, hiking this grand loop (Trip 88) feels like a pilgrimage."
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