Books and Maps
The best books and maps, reviewed and curated by the Trailspace community. The latest review was added on December 27, 2020. Stores' prices and availability are updated daily.
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In order to show you the most useful information, we have omitted some unreviewed products. View the complete product list »
Recent Book / Map Reviews
Gaia GPS Hiking, Offroad Maps App
The main takeaway for me was that planning a route was significantly faster and more intuitive than any other mapping app I’ve used. The app does all the things we’ve come to expect from mapping apps, including pinning waypoints, creating routes, and tracking hikes, but offers many features that others don’t, including the national parks maps from National Geographic and cell phone coverage maps. The interface is clean and easy to understand and the maps are sharp without clutter. Gaia GPS… Full review
The Mountaineers Books Journeys North: The Pacific Crest Trail
Famous trail angel Barney "Scout" Mann takes readers through a riveting portrayal of his experience on the Pacific Crest Trail. In 2007, hundreds of eager hikers kicked up dust from the Mexico monument as they set foot on the Pacific Crest Trail. Among them were Barney "Scout" Mann and five other hikers he encountered along the way. In Journeys North, Scout includes snippets about trail romance, culture, humor, and exploration. The eloquent narrative questions why one might hike 2650 miles… Full review
Frank Amato Publications The Curtis Creek Manifesto
"The Curtis Creek Manifesto" is probably the number one book available on the basics of fly fishing. The author and illustrator, Sheridan Anderson, created a unique and entertaining guide that will provide everything a person needs to know to get started fly fishing and it's done in a book that is only 48 pages long. It has been considered a classic ever since it was first published in 1978. About twenty years ago I was just getting into fly fishing and during a fishing trip a friend recommended… Full review
Patagonia Simple Fly Fishing: Techniques For Tenkara And Rod & Reel
In-depth, but engaging book focused on simplifying fly fishing. It is a great balance of skills, stories, and phenomenal photography. A great book for anyone interested in flying fishing or just interested in learning new skills. Written by Yvon Chouinard, Craig Mathews, and Mauro Mazzo, Simple Fly Fishing: Techniques for Tenkara and Rod & Reel is a fantastic book on the art and lifestyle of fishing in it most basic form. All three of the authors are lifelong fisherman with decades of experiences. Full review
AntiGravityGear Foothills Trail Pocket Profile
For day hikers and thru-hikers who want a quick reference guide to a trail that doesn’t skimp on information, doesn't require electricity, and which only adds negligible weight (.18 oz/5 g), AntiGravityGear’s Pocket Profile is an aptly named resource worth both the weight and the cost (USD $3.95)! AntiGravityGear produces a number of useful little publications called Pocket Profiles. Among their Pocket Profile titles are releases for the Appalachian Trail (22 different sections/profiles), the… Full review
Lake Tahoe Camping with Privacy
This is the most valuable resource I have found for selecting a good site for the night before a backpacking trip. The authors focus on campsites with privacy but include thorough descriptions, elevation, contact information, and driveway length. With Lake Tahoe Camping With Privacy: Your Guide To The Most Private Campsites Near Tahoe, Truckee, Sly Park, Union Valley Reservoir, And Beyond the Wilkes have added to their collection of private campsites in the Sierra with their most recent book on… Full review
Westwater Books Belknap's Waterproof Canyonlands River Guide
A classy, cargo pocket-sized, waterproof guide to over 350 miles of the Green and Colorado Rivers through and above Canyonlands National Park, with detailed maps, illustrations, and text on the region’s colorful geology and history. Works well as a stand-alone guide for river trips. In the winter of 2018, during our year-long residence in Tuscson, my wife and I decided to splurge on a 6-day guided raft/dory trip on the Colorado River from near Moab, Utah, down through Cataract Canyon in Canyonlands… Full review
Falcon Guides Paddling America: Discover and Explore Our 50 Greatest Wild and Scenic Rivers
“Paddling America: Discover and Explore Our 50 Greatest Wild and Scenic Rivers” showcases some of the best paddling experiences in the USA. It also aims to increase awareness for the conservation and protection of natural river systems, with a focus on these designated rivers, protected under the 1968 Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. The 50 featured rivers span the country but are most heavily concentrated in the Pacific Northwest, California, Idaho, Wyoming, and Montana regions. Many of the rivers… Full review
Falcon Guides Sierra Summits: A Guide to Fifty Peak Experiences in California's Range of Light
This book is the perfect introduction to climbing relatively easy peaks in Yosemite and the Sierra. No climbing gear required. Finally, an accessible book for newbie climbers. I'm an experienced hiker and backpacker, but peak bagging has always represented another level of adventure. Sierra Summits, by Matt Johanson, offers a collection of achievable climbs for the casual day hiker, those who want to introduce peaks to kids, and some to challenge those ready for more. In my first pass through the… Full review
