50 Best Short Hikes in California Deserts

Rating:
Summary: Terrible trail maps
Review: Although the trails are well described and a fair amount of geological and historical background is presented, the trail maps make this book almost worthless. For instance, Hike No. 22 is shown on Map No. 18. The trail is described on page 70 and the map is on page 180. Does this sound confusing? It is. Also, the overview maps for each park show campgrounds and ranger stations, but they don't show where the individual trails are located. These desert parks are enormous, and the lack of good overview maps makes it nearly impossible to determine, for instance, what hikes are near the south entrance to Joshua Tree. Pass on this book.

Rating:
Summary: Terrible trail maps
Review: Although the trails are well described and a fair amount of geological and historical background is presented, the trail maps make this book almost worthless. For instance, Hike No. 22 is shown on Map No. 18. The trail is described on page 70 and the map is on page 180. Does this sound confusing? It is. Also, the overview maps for each park show campgrounds and ranger stations, but they don't show where the individual trails are located. These desert parks are enormous, and the lack of good overview maps makes it nearly impossible to determine, for instance, what hikes are near the south entrance to Joshua Tree. Pass on this book.

Rating:
Summary: short but sweet
Review: This book lives up to its title by concentrating on shorter hiking adventures in and around Death Valley National Park, Joshua Tree National Park, and Mojave National Preserve. Although the hikes are brief, many visitors to desert areas are in search of hikes that are possible even in the hotter parts of the year - a five mile round trip in summer at Death Valley can be quite tiring for even a fit hiker! The maps included in the book would have been more usefully placed next to the trail descriptions but this is a minor grumble. If you hike with children then consider this volume as each hike includes a recommended child age range for each trip.

Rating:
Summary: short but sweet
Review: This book lives up to its title by concentrating on shorter hiking adventures in and around Death Valley National Park, Joshua Tree National Park, and Mojave National Preserve. Although the hikes are brief, many visitors to desert areas are in search of hikes that are possible even in the hotter parts of the year - a five mile round trip in summer at Death Valley can be quite tiring for even a fit hiker! The maps included in the book would have been more usefully placed next to the trail descriptions but this is a minor grumble. If you hike with children then consider this volume as each hike includes a recommended child age range for each trip.