Adventures in Idaho's Sawtooth Country

Rating:
Summary: Buy it if you can find it, it's a must-have adventure guide
Review: I guard my copy closely, now that it's out of print, though as of this writing you can still find copies for sale. My pages are dog-eared, text underlined and maps annotated.

This book has all the major trails, and some lesser-known gems. The author, like me, isn't timid about heading up an unmaintained trail, or heading off-trail, to get away from the crowds. (Maybe that's why the book title starts with "Adventures." My philosophy is, someone who doesn't know how to use a compass, or needs manicured trails, should go to the park instead of hiking in a designated wilderness.)

I like the way the book is organized, it helps me evaluate the various loop hike options and side trips -- and there are many in the Sawtooths.

The maps are nicely drawn original maps, not the barely-readable copies of topo maps that have become popular in guidebooks lately.

This book was one of the first to reveal the locals' favorite biking trails, and follow-on biking books seem to only copy it. And the trails are all hiking and biking routes, no space wasted on horse trails.

I also relate to the author's passion for the wilderness. She's active in conservation and wilderness preservation, not just an armchair hiker writing from some den in Sun Valley.

No matter what other area trail guides you might have tried, get a copy of this book if you can find it. It was the first guide to the "last best place," and it's still the best.

Cool Trails To You!

Rating:
Summary: Very dated material, not current with the areas changes.
Review: This out-of-print book is quite outdated itself. If you stick to the most popular trails and don't venture off of them, you'll be fine, otherwise, prepare for a little adventure yourself. Again, very outdated material.

Rating:
Summary: Very dated material, not current with the areas changes.
Review: This was probably an excellent book when it was first written. The information is getting to be a bit dated. At least half of the hikes we have tried have had some outdated information.

On one hike, the trail was nearly gone after what appeared to be years of no use. It would have been somewhat dangerous for us to continue the hike.

I will probably throw the book away and get a more up to date one.

Rating:
Summary: Good, but dated.
Review: This was probably an excellent book when it was first written. The information is getting to be a bit dated. At least half of the hikes we have tried have had some outdated information.

On one hike, the trail was nearly gone after what appeared to be years of no use. It would have been somewhat dangerous for us to continue the hike.

I will probably throw the book away and get a more up to date one.