Hiking Ruins Seldom Seen

Rating:
Summary: Hiking the Roads to Ruins
Review: "Ruins Seldom Seen" is one of the most interesting and original hiking guides I've ever read. The pueblos, cliff dwellings and rock art sites described in the book are fascinating, and the interpretive information answers all of the basic questions hikers may have about them. Just as important, the book leads hikers into many obscure wilderness areas, making it a "must" for adventurous types who yearn to get off the popular trails -- sometimes off trails altogether -- and truly explore in the Southwest. Finally, contrary to what some people think, books like this help educate the public and increase appreciation of Native Americans ruins, resulting in less theft and vandalism at archaeological sites. Many critics also fail to realize that people who destroy Indian ruins tend to be ignorant, have no interest in learning about Native Americans, and sure as heck will not pay (price) for a book about archaeology. So I give "Ruins Seldom Seen" a big thumbs-up!

Rating:
Summary: stones and steps
Review: I own about a dozen Falcon Guides. This is a welcome new addition to the series. The author gives trail descriptions for 36 hikes in Arizona, New Mexico, and southern Utah. Each hike leads to a ruin (Hohokam, Salado, Anasazi, etc.).

Although I've explored the Southwest on half a dozen long trips, most of these ruins were unknown to me. Most lie on National Forest or BLM land, not National Parks. Most are hitherto unknown to the general public, with some exceptions (for example, he includes the famous stone lions in Bandelier National Monument).

The trail descriptions are reasonably good, and include distance, USGS topo maps, and a difficulty rating. One innovation is the inclusion of GPS coordinates for the ruins themselves (but signficant waypoints might also have been nice). The author doesn't always provide altitude information.

There's a brief section discussing ruin etiquette, backcountry hazards, and photography tips.

I recommend this book for anyone who loves hiking, the Southwest, and prehistoric Native American ruins.

Rating:
Summary: stones and steps
Review: I own about a dozen Falcon Guides. This is a welcome new addition to the series. The author gives trail descriptions for 36 hikes in Arizona, New Mexico, and southern Utah. Each hike leads to a ruin (Hohokam, Salado, Anasazi, etc.).

Although I've explored the Southwest on half a dozen long trips, most of these ruins were unknown to me. Most lie on National Forest or BLM land, not National Parks. Most are hitherto unknown to the general public, with some exceptions (for example, he includes the famous stone lions in Bandelier National Monument).

The trail descriptions are reasonably good, and include distance, USGS topo maps, and a difficulty rating. One innovation is the inclusion of GPS coordinates for the ruins themselves (but signficant waypoints might also have been nice). The author doesn't always provide altitude information.

There's a brief section discussing ruin etiquette, backcountry hazards, and photography tips.

I recommend this book for anyone who loves hiking, the Southwest, and prehistoric Native American ruins.

Rating:
Summary: Ebay Jackpot
Review: This book has led me to an unbeiveable amount of treasures that have made me a fortune on ebay.


Rating:
Summary: Great Guide!
Review: This book opens doors to whole new worlds of true adventure and hiking pleasure, with just the right amount of history and humor thrown in. Having spent a substantial part of the last 10 years hiking around Arizona, I have relied on a variety of sources to find "The Perfect Hike". I have referred to books, maps, travel guides, and word-of-mouth when planning my trips. None of these other sources leave the same impression on one's hiking experience as the unique writing style and easy to understand maps and directions that Dave Wilson's "Hiking Ruins Seldom Seen" can provide. The hikes to ancient ruins are relatively easy to find using this book, yet they lead you to places that very very few people have ever seen. I was surprised that within minutes from Phoenix or Tucson, there were such easily accessible and unknown Indian Ruins of such spectacular appearance. I would recommend this book to any novice, intermediate, or advanced hiker who is looking for an exciting and unique experience anywhere in the Arizona, Southern Utah, or New Mexico region. Excellent Book. A rare find!

Rating:
Summary: Spectacular Hikes and Very Fun!
Review: This book opens doors to whole new worlds of true adventure and hiking pleasure, with just the right amount of history and humor thrown in. Having spent a substantial part of the last 10 years hiking around Arizona, I have relied on a variety of sources to find "The Perfect Hike". I have referred to books, maps, travel guides, and word-of-mouth when planning my trips. None of these other sources leave the same impression on one's hiking experience as the unique writing style and easy to understand maps and directions that Dave Wilson's "Hiking Ruins Seldom Seen" can provide. The hikes to ancient ruins are relatively easy to find using this book, yet they lead you to places that very very few people have ever seen. I was surprised that within minutes from Phoenix or Tucson, there were such easily accessible and unknown Indian Ruins of such spectacular appearance. I would recommend this book to any novice, intermediate, or advanced hiker who is looking for an exciting and unique experience anywhere in the Arizona, Southern Utah, or New Mexico region. Excellent Book. A rare find!

Rating:
Summary: Spectacular Hikes and Very Fun!
Review: This book opens doors to whole new worlds of true adventure and hiking pleasure, with just the right amount of history and humor thrown in. The hikes to ancient ruins are relatively easy to find using this book, yet they lead you to places that very very few people have ever seen. I was surprised that within minutes from Phoenix or Tucson, there were such easily accessible and unknown Indian Ruins of such spectacular appearance. I would recommend this book to any novice, intermediate, or advanced hiker who is looking for an exciting and unique experience anywhere in the Arizona, Southern Utah, or New Mexico region. Excellent Book. A rare find!

Rating:
Summary: Great Guide!
Review: This book was very helpful and exciting! Two days after I recieved the book, me and a friend went out to find Nogales Canyon, NM. We had ALOT of fun and we found it with no problems. The book was extremly helpful and without it we would have never even known about this dwelling.