Day Hikes Around Missoula, Montana, 2nd

Rating:
Summary: LACKS EVERYTHING NEEDED FROM A GOOD GUIDE BOOK.
Review: This book lacks everything you would expect from a useful guidebook. The trail maps are completely useless in the field. Compounding the complete uselessness of this book are the vague and poorly written hike descriptions. Every hike sounds as boring as the next (even though they traverse some stunning scenery), almost as if this book was researched/written completely at a desk - instead of out in the field. I wonder if Mr. Stone even set foot on any of these trails. Don't waste your time / money.

Rating:
Summary: Good for the Native!!
Review: This book may lack high quality info. for the experienced outdoorsman but for the common Missoula area Native this book supplies the perfect amount of pertinent information. Where it lacks in detail it excells in simple english.

Rating:
Summary: Concise and easy to use.
Review: This book was exactly what I was looking for - the lazy Missoulian's guide to local trails. I didn't need photos and long descriptions of what I'd see - I just wanted driving directions to the trailheads, and simple, easy-to-use maps of each trail system. This book is also light enough and small enough to take along.

From my experience using it as a reference, the maps in the book just follow those that are posted and sometimes freely available when you reach the trail head - but it puts everything conveniently in one place, and also gives elevation gain, round-trip distances, and the USGS map you should use if you want topos. It also gives basic info of the views and other attractions. A worthwhile purchase.