Alpine Sierra Trailblazer: Where to Hike, Ski, Bike, Fish and Drive from Tahoe to Yosemite

Hope Valley and Yosemite have always been places I gravitate to when I want to recharge. I like to dayhike and have found this book to contain some real gems just off what I think are the most beautiful passes in the Sierra: Carson, Ebbetts Monitor, Tioga and Echo. The authors have really done a fantastic job organizing the trails and maps into one densely packed guidebook. This isn't your standard dry book of hikes. It's lively and infused with humor and insights only a local author would know.

I stumbled on this book in a resort giftshop near Tahoe. For me it opened up a sleepy area in California that still remains untouched by malls and freeways. The book contains alot of challenging bike rides and the hikes took me into the heart of wilderness and trout heaven. I'm looking forward to putting it to the test when snow falls. Most of all, its well organized and written by locals who convey their special sense of place.

This is a wonderful guide to a part of the Sierra that attracts far less attention than Tahoe (to the north) or Yosemite (to the south), but has its own unique charms. By focusing on a relatively small area, the authors are able to achieve considerable breadth (covering the whole spectrum of outdoor recreation) without sacrificing depth (e.g., their hiking recommendations go well beyond the usual suspects). As others have noted, it is beautifully designed and very well organized. Anyone who wants a comprehensive Sierra Nevada library should buy this book.

This is the granddaddy of the respected Trailblazer travel book series, which also includes the Golden Gate Trailblazer (San Francisco and Marin County) and five books on the Hawaiian islands (Kauai Trailblazer, Maui Trailblazer, Oahu Trailblazer, Hawaii the Big Island Trailblazer, and No Worries Hawaii: A Vacation Planning Guide). It covers the eastern Sierra Nevada mountains from the Lake Tahoe basin to Yosemite National Park. A great deal of this glorious stretch of high country makes up Alpine County, California. It's a mountain area second to none as the wonderful black-and-white photography makes clear, and, as with every Trailblazer guide, there are outdoor activities galore. The "Best Of" section helps you zero in on great places to go for wildflowers, fall colors, family strolls, falls and cascades, lakes with a view, and much more. Each walk or hike (they come in all sizes, even as short as a small fraction of a mile) is carefully described, not to mention the excellent directions and maps for getting to the trailhead or starting point. Round-trip hiking distances and elevation gained are provided. Appropriate topographical maps are also recommended. For those who would rather just putter on, there are some wonderfully organized driving tours through this most picturesque part of the northern Sierra Nevada range. Practical information is plentiful, from phone numbers to things to do with the kids, as well as recommended Do's and Don'ts--all based on decades of careful exploration. Highly recommended. The Alpine Sierra Trailblazer will enhance your mountain experience big time.

Alpine Trailblazer is a terrific guidebook that feels good in the hand, looks good, and- most importantly- works well at introducing folks to the unspoiled, less-explored Sierra between Lake Tahoe and Yosemite. Everything in this book seems of the highest quality: the maps, the photos, the organization and indexing, the design, the writing. But best of all is its usefulness; it's hard to believe how much solid information these Alpine County locals have been able to fit into a guidebook that can fit nicely in the outside pocket of a backpack. Bookended by quotes from John Muir, this handy volume gives you essential information for hiking, backpacking, cross country skiing, mountain biking, fishing, kayaking, rafting, horseback riding, camping, wildflower sighting, etc. etc. The heart of the book is the excellent, clear trailhead descriptions with good directions, advice, elevations, difficulties, maps, and so forth. In addition you can find driving tours, information on local flora and fauna, resource links to regional services and sights and events, fascinating historical background on this unique area, and even a campside cookbook. My favorite parts of Alpine Trailblazer, however, are the hilarious Glossary to Understanding Alpine Culture and Customs (Example: "Sign of summer: snow shovels are off the porches.") and the witty and wise :"Free Hiking Advice and Opinion." However, the best part of the guidebook is its practicality, usefulness, and abundance of information. If only all guidebooks had this combination of practicality and quality!