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Rating: 
Summary: This is the updated version
Review: I own about 30 hiking guides and this book is the one I use the most often and consult before any hike. John Robinson is one of the gurus of Southern California hiking and his guides are usually dependable, accurate and full of information that will ensure your safety while in the mountains. He provides an adequate history of each hike, driving directions and fairly precise descriptions of where to locate each trailhead. It's important to note that some of his information is outdated; for example, you always must display your Forest Adventure Pass when parking your car in a California National Forest. Robinson doesn't mention this because his guide was written before the Pass became "essential."Another strength of this book is that Robinson usually provides separate descriptions of various ways to summit a peak. He details the standard way of climbing San Gorgonio, as well as three alternate treks to the peak and this is a valuable tool for the experienced hiker. He does the same for San Jacinto, perhaps the premiere hike in Southern California (as well as the most arduous!) The guide is tailored towards seasoned hikers and if you're a neophyte, this probably wouldn't be your best choice. But if you love to hike and live in the L.A. area, the Robinson guide provides indispensible information. Highly recommended.
Rating: 
Summary: Good Material
Review: The new edition has a much better map that shows where each hike is. Very solid. I didn't care for all the area background stuff though.
Rating:
Summary: Good Material
Review: The new edition has a much better map that shows where each hike is. Very solid. I didn't care for all the area background stuff though.
Rating: 
Summary: Most comprehensive Guide to San Bernardino Forest.
Review: The San Bernardino National Forest, located on the Eastern ond Nothern edges of the LA basin, receives more visitors a year than most national parks. It is quite surprising then that so few hiking guides cover this popular area. Arguably the most comprehensive of these is John Robinson's 'San Bernardino Mountain Trails.' First printed in 1972 and now in its fifth edition, this is still best guide to the region. In addition to well written local history, it outlines 100 hikes ranging from easy nature walks to multiday backpack trips. Unfortunately, I cannot give this edition more than 3 stars: there are simply too many mistakes in the text. Hike number two, for example, is listed as 25 miles long. Actual distance is five miles. Other mileages are also inaccurate, often by 25% or so. The text also contains anachronisms: the reference to Grizzly Bears being gone for more than half a century was appropriate in 1972. Now however, it is more like a century. This new edition does have several positive changes as well. It now lists Gray's Peak, one of my favorite hikes in the Big Bear area. And the new photos are much sharper than in previous editions. So by all means, get this book. Far too many Southern California hiking guides slight the San Bernardino Mountains, and this book gives them their proper due. But be cautious with mileage: some hikes will be shorter than listed, others much longer.
Rating:
Summary: Most comprehensive Guide to San Bernardino Forest.
Review: The San Bernardino National Forest, located on the Eastern ond Nothern edges of the LA basin, receives more visitors a year than most national parks. It is quite surprising then that so few hiking guides cover this popular area. Arguably the most comprehensive of these is John Robinson's 'San Bernardino Mountain Trails.' First printed in 1972 and now in its fifth edition, this is still best guide to the region. In addition to well written local history, it outlines 100 hikes ranging from easy nature walks to multiday backpack trips. Unfortunately, I cannot give this edition more than 3 stars: there are simply too many mistakes in the text. Hike number two, for example, is listed as 25 miles long. Actual distance is five miles. Other mileages are also inaccurate, often by 25% or so. The text also contains anachronisms: the reference to Grizzly Bears being gone for more than half a century was appropriate in 1972. Now however, it is more like a century. This new edition does have several positive changes as well. It now lists Gray's Peak, one of my favorite hikes in the Big Bear area. And the new photos are much sharper than in previous editions. So by all means, get this book. Far too many Southern California hiking guides slight the San Bernardino Mountains, and this book gives them their proper due. But be cautious with mileage: some hikes will be shorter than listed, others much longer.
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