1 comments about Rand McNally Easy to Read Oregon (Rand McNally Easy to Read!).

1. Had never been to Oregon and used this map the whole time with no problems.

3 comments about Waterfall Lover's Guide Pacific Northwest: Pacific Northwest : Where To Find Hundreds Of Spectacular Waterfalls In Washington, Oregon, And Idaho.

1. This is a MUST have book for waterfall hunters, Mr.Plumb does a excellent job in telling you how to get to the falls, how hard it is to get to it and how nice the falls are. Plus there are a lot of real nice photo's here,although there all black and white, except the cover of the book.
   I also liked how he has maps of each "section" of the three states in this book.
   Each waterfall listed in the book Mr.Plumb tells you how to get to that waterfall, what kind of waterfall it is, how hard it is to get to it, the height of the falls, a star rating on how nice the falls are, and a little detail about the waterfall, and each waterfall he listed in the book has a very good map on where it is.
   You certainly WILL NOT be disappointed in this book, I use it whenever I look to see what falls I want to go to.



2. I sent for this book at the same time as another book, The first book from another vendor got to my house within a week. I waited the 7 to 21 days and still not book from "Caiman", I e-mailed them and got an automated responce of "7 to 21 day" At 30 days I e-mailed them back, a book got to me at about 31 days, bad business!



3. This fantastic book is in it's 4th or 5th printing. The reason why is because it is so comprehensive, and so thorough, and so original.
   
   The author not only visited literally hundreds of waterfalls all listed in this book, which must have taken months of research, plus travels, and studying of topographic maps, on top of countless miles of hiking, backpacking, and even some boating. The book is also very easy to read. There are no long passages of famous quotes from naturalists of the past. Just lists of waterfalls grouped by region, making it very easy to see more than a few on one trip. Add great directions and maps on how to get there, and superb descriptions of each waterfall. He also rates the waterfalls, gives information on how worthy the view is, how easy or hard it is to get to the waterfall.
   
   If you are a waterfall lover, or even think you're interested in seeing some, this valuable book is as good as it gets.

3 comments about Soggy Sneakers: A Paddler's Guide to Oregon Rivers.

1. Soggy Sneakers along with Paddling Oregon (by Robb Keller) are the two definative books about boating in Oregon.

   Soggy Sneakers -published by Seattle Mountaineers-is in its third edition and features over 200 runs compiled by members of the Willamette Kayak and Canoe Club who have run all of Oregon's rivers.

   Included are Class 1 to Class 6 runs, with maps and descriptions of flow, gradient, length and character of each run. The book is an easy read and includes information on where to obtain shuttles and the best seasons to run.

   The one criticism I have is the book fails to specify which type of craft (kayaks, canoes, rafts) are suited for each run.




2. My open tandem canoe group used Soggy Sneakers on an exporatory (for us)week long trip in Southern Oregon. We found that the ratings listed in the book varied considerably depending on wether the writer was a kayaker, rafter or open canoeist. When a rafter called it a Class II it was a very different thing from when an open canoe rated it Class II. We got skunked several times before we started looking at the boats the raters were using. An open canoes Class III is a rafter's Class I and a Kayakers Class II. Once we figured that out we found the book very useful.



3. Soggy Sneakers has been in print since the early 1980's - and it has stood the test of time better than I!
   
   I was in High School in Eugene while the project was being finished - starting as a project by mentors Gene Ice and Bob Porter it metamorphed into a club based model for a great guidebook. What makes this book unusual is that there are almost as many authors as rivers - insuring that the author is writing not about a river he or she has run once, but usually several times, at several different times of year and water levels.
   
   As such the descriptions are written about favorite rivers and although this does lead to a bit of discrepancy in comparing different rivers that is more than made up by depth of knowledge and enthusiastic writing.
   
   The completion of the book by the Willamette Kayak and Canoe Club, many of whose members are academics at Oregon State University, only adds to the professionalism and usefulness of the book.
   
   And I think they've even got one description written by yours truly left...

2 comments about Best Hikes With Dogs: Oregon.

1. I truely enjoy the book. We have been on roughly five of the hikes recommended in the book. The author states what difficult level each hike is. However, that is for her and her dogs fitness level. I only found one trail impossible to master so far. But that was because of fear of heights. After going on these trails I add my own comments to the book, such as how the trail was, if litterbags were available and if restrooms were on site. I also add a map were available and mark our own hikes. Because of this book we have discovered a few new trails to take. Thank you Ellen Bishop.



2. This is such a fun book to look at and think of all the possibilities. There are more hikes in this book than my dog and I could complete in many years. Each hike is rated for difficulty and the book tells you how long the trail is as well as how steep it is, whether there is water, shade, lots of crowds, etc. I have been to several of the trails including Forest Park, Tryon Creek, Angel's Rest, Hart's Cove, Wahclellah Falls, etc. I would never have known many of these places were out there without the help of this book. That being said, the directions are often very vague; I've gotten lost more than once looking for a trailhead, and there is one (Oneonta Gorge/Triple Falls) that I never found. Also, the trails are rated for which seasons they can be hiked inaccurately--one trail (Hart's Cove) was listed as year round but the access road is closed half the year! Some of the trails are listed as one way only, meaning you need at least two people and two vehicles to complete them, or you would somehow need to hitch-hike with your dog back to your car. I think the addition of color pictures would also add much to this book. It's hard to tell how beautiful many of these places are by the black and white pictures.

4 comments about Roadside Geology of Oregon (Roadside Geology Series).

1. A nice addition to anyone's geology library. Alt and Hyndman cover every corner of Oregon, and explain the major players in the shape of the landscape clearly and succinctly, as well as local aspects of geology. There's the added bonus of being able to jump in the car and find what they've written about as they provide regional maps, indicating formations, special interest items and more.



2. Mention "Oregon" and the average traveler thinks of Crater Lake, the Columbia Gorge, and miles of trackless evergreen forest. The more seasoned may be familiar with Newberry Volcano, Mount Hood, and the Oregon Dunes along the Pacific coast. But there is much more, and this is the book to show it to you, give you good directions, and explain why the secenery looks the way it does. Once you read this book, even if you never get there, you will know why Oregon is the Unknown Gem of the West.

   The writing is clear and concise, and the routes along which the reader is taken are well chosen. Photography is black and white, and this detracts a bit, but is easily overcome.

   Oregon has more geologically recent sites of volcanism than any other state in the Lower 49, and you are directed past many of these. So for anyone into volcanoes, as I am, the book is a must. The various volcanic processes and minerals that formed thse features are excellently explained.

   The book also addresses Oregon's many spectacular canyons, as well as its matchless seacoast, its waterfalls, and its sand dunes. Virtually unknown facts, such as the largest U.S. meteorite being known, but not found, near Port Orford, are brought to light, along with a thousand other facts of the same genre.

   I would be remiss if I did not praise authors Hyndman and Alt, along with Mountain Press, for this fine book, and others of its kind, covering other states, mostly in the West. All are highly recommended, and will make any tourist's time more well spent and enjoyable.




3. If you've ever driven along a highway or road and noticed the different layers of rocks and soils on the "cut-bank", then this book is for you! Just pick a main road in OR between two points, such as HWY 101 from Tillamook to Florence, and the geology along the way is spelled out for you. It gives a basic geology of the entire state as well, with a few unusaul graphics that work well with the author's explanations.



4. The book is exactly what I expected it to be! I run a paranormal research team in Portland Oregon/Vancouver Washington, and we needed to know what mineral deposits and what not were located in specific areas of the state. This book really accomplished that for me! The seller was quick and the book, although used, was in practically brand new condition. Great job!!!!

4 comments about Pacific Crest Trail: Oregon and Washington.

1. I used this guide to hike the Oregon section of the PCT in 1993 and found it very user-friendly, highly practical while on the trail and full of interesting background information. Among the most important aspect of the guide for me was the quality and reliability of the topographic maps, thoughtfully place by the Publishers so I could take the pages out and use them in a waterproof cover for each stage as I walked it. The hints on water supplies and campsites were essential and I was able to plan my route, timings, food drops and campsites for the entire trail; this was especially important for me as my budget and time free were limited. As far as I remember, the only thing that was incorrect was that there was no longer a bus from Bridge of the Gods into Portland. Not bad. I would recommend this guide to anybody planning to hike the PCT.



2. I through-hiked the PCT in 2002 and like the vast of majority of other hikers, used this guide to navigate my way through Oregon and Washington. Though this book is the source for the data points found in the PCT Data Book, you'd never suspect such a succinct, useful guide like the Data Book could from such a disorganized mess as the PCT: Oregon-Washington guide book.

   The principal problem with this book is organization. The book, like it's companion guides for California, are organized into reasonable sections starting and stopping at well-used re-supply points (or end points for section hikers). The problem is each section contains a mixture of editorial and trail-following instructions in the main body of text. So, when you are lost and the need the guide the most, you must re-trace the trail guide instructions while editing out long editorial comments (frequently commenting on where the trail should have gone, but did not) and this frustrates. Why weren't the trail following instructions separated?

   This edition did try to make strides forward in readibility by using icons to denote when the text is talking about water access or re-supply. Though this allows you to skim ahead for where water is (useful!), placing such information in sidebars of the trail following instructions would have been best. Again, the current placement of the re-supply and water information fragments the trail follow tips.

   On the plus side, when the authors are not complaining about where the trail should have gone, there is a wealth of information on a variety of topics (e.g. geology, botany, biology, politics and the trail among other topics) all of which help you to enjoy the trail more. Sadly, though, each topic is also interspersed with the main body text. Again making the trail following instructions hard to read as the text changes gears from "how to follow the trail" to "PCT story-time."

   Unfortunately, the maps are not 100% accurate. A few of the maps suffer printing errors. On these maps, the trails - which are overlaid on old, out-of-date USGS maps - are placed incorrectly. Switchbacks not going with the grades of the landscape easily identify these maps or perhaps you?ll come a trail junction before a river, when the maps show the junction after the river. Also, the trail is disastrously colored blue, making it hard to distinguish from the all the streams and rivers (also in blue).

   That said, these trail guides are the best there is for the PCT, but they are far from perfect.




3. Overall this book is very detailed and easy to use. It provides good information on the trail, how to leave the trail in order to resupply and possible issues such as water or wild animals. The only thing I don't like about it is that the maps in the book are completely lacking any kind of coordinate grid which makes it difficult to locate on the map points the author is writing about.



4. I have not hiked the PCT yet, but plan too. My only complaint with this entire series is that the maps do not have GPS markers on the maps; I believe the PCT Atlas series does this.
   
   Anyways the point of the post is to indicate that Wilderness Press has 2 PDF files available which provide updates/erratas to this book as of 2006. The "Search for 'PCT'" method does not work, but if you contact them they will email the PDFs to you.

1 comments about Benchmark Oregon Road & Recreation Atlas - 4th Edition.

1. Good morning to all who put together the new "Benchmark" Oregon Road and Recreation Atlas, 4th Edition.
   
   The frustrations I encountered with previous and existing maping systems were that most of the time you could not know exactly were you were, or how to get to some place just using the map or GPS units due to lack of GPS co-ordinates, road I.D. and or identifieable exits. This atlas certainly does a good job of correcting this problem. Due to limited space on any atlas it is difficult to I.D. all roads and trails; but I find that I can locate an area quite well in the manner you have displayed. I would like to see more mileage markers on the landscape maps, as these are the pages I live with when backroading. When an emergency arises and you are between distant points, when there are no GPS co-ordinates the shortest and fastest routes are important. I would also like to see a comprhensive emergency page included that would guide drivers who are unfamiliar with the state how to prepare for the worst, and unforseen circumstances that can arise unespectedly i.e. appropriaate vehicle, food, tires, fuel, clothing, mapping systems and equipment, and when to drive or not drive in certain areas.
   
   Thanks again for going the extra mile of effort,design and quality of info to make this atlas the best I have experienced. I recommend it be a part of the emergency survival kit.
   
   Thanks again for a job well done, Merle Simmons

5 comments about Oregon Atlas & Gazetteer.

1. These Gazetteer's are not your USGS maps but they are certainly better than any road map out there. So as long as you don't require back-country precision have one of these in your car as they are still better than any GPS once you get off the secondary's.



2. Although this one was purchased as a gift, I have one just like it and am completely satisfied with it (as is the gift recipient). DeLorme has the market cornered on making a product that is both user friendly and detailed enough that one could go hiking with this Atlas and Gazetteer. Two thumbs up!



3. As with all Delorme Atlas books you get detailed maps of main roads and all back roads. Indispensible if you plan on driving the back roads. Only thing I wish could be improved about these books is their durability. I find the pages typically come loose after what seems like a relatively few number of uses. But I buy them because they give me exactly the detail road maps I need.



4. This atlas offers no way of showing the difference between paved and unpaved roads. In SE Oregon it shows several roads I recently visited with the same markings as major highways. Some of these roads are gravel, some of them are jeep trails open only a few months of the year and requiring 4WD and high clearance. With this atlas there's no way of knowing that. See their map of the Steens Mountain area and Steens Mountain Loop Road - this road is only accessable with high clearance 4WD vehicles in late summer, but on this map it's marked with the same symbol used for the two lane, paved highway south of Burns. The road north of Fields is gravel, but no markings to note where the pavement ends. After seeing this, I promptly returned it and bout Benchamrk's atlas instead. Much better!



5. I worked on a project with the Oregon DOT, in which I drove about ten thousand miles throughout Oregon in one summer. This map was the guide we used in our travels throughout the state, and it was a more up-to-date source of information than most maps. We had to drive to 160 total sites, half of which were local (county) roads, and we were always able to keep our location, even in some rural areas that were not well marked.
   
   It's the best map you can find on paper, if you're looking for detailed information covering the whole of the state, from interstate highways to dirt roads in the mountains. That is, unless you want to spend a lot more than $20, or you want to print a giant mosaic of the state of Oregon from your printer.
   
   It's not a map for those who are simply looking for street names in cities like Eugene or Portland... there's no 10-page blowup of urban areas in the state, this is a map that covers the STATE of Oregon.
   
   This map is for those who are familiar with the area in which they are traveling. In my work, I did find two roads that were in rougher shape than I would have expected by just looking at the map... however, I was WELL off of highways (making short cuts that took hours off of our trip), and as such, I knew I couldn't expect every single mountain road to be perfectly maintained.
   By that measure, I found a few roads that were surprisingly well-maintained, given the terrain and vicinity to populated areas. And I found some places that I will hope to take my children camping or hiking someday... thanks to this map.
   
   Remember, there is no substitute for obtaining local information regarding the travel worthy nature of roads. This map is a great guide, but no map is perfect. Stop by local government offices (the BLM, Forest Service, City Hall, etc) if you're looking for more localized maps, because you will also find locals who can inform you of the condition of unimproved roads in the area. Road conditions often vary county-to-county, unless you're on state highways, as each county prioritizes funds differently (and especially in rural Oregon, there's not enough money for the vast amount of space that needs to be maintained).
   
   Also, remember that road names can change from the time this map is printed, and the time you actually use the map (I encountered this issue more than once... though, in one case, not even Google Maps had been updated to include the new name of a particular road). Considering how detailed this map is, unless you're driving through a large city, you can almost always find the right road if you're looking and aware of your location.

5 comments about Frommer's Oregon (Frommer's Complete).

1. This Frommer's travel guide to Oregon proved to be very helpful for our trip. The star system for recommended hotels, restaurants and sites proved to be right on, as far as my trip was concerned. It was particularly helpful to use the star system when selecting wineries to visit/taste because the vast number of options in the Willamette Valley area would have otherwise been daunting. Where I found this book lacking was in only a few areas: (1) add smaller, less known wineries to your suggested places to visit; (2) add a walking tour to your section on Portland; and (3) add many more restaurants in all price ranges and types to the downtown Portland section.



2. I find the Frommers' guides to be most helpful when planning a trip and staying in an area for more than a day or two. The in depth details for motels, restaurants, and sights are great! My husband and I are planning a trip to the Columbia Gorge area and Oregon Coast in late spring and have studied this guide in detail. We used a Frommers' last year for a Bermuda trip and found it to be most helpful.



3. We carried the book with us during a two week tour of the coast and found their recommendations and descriptions of sites and backgrounds to be very accurate. The book was a good buy for us.



4. My husband and I live in Georgia and we wanted to visit Oregon to see my extended family. I hadn't been out there in over 10 years and I didn't know the fun places to visit. This book was a tremendous help. We drove a circle around the state and saw so many beautiful places. This book pointed out all of the small places that we would have probably overlooked if we didn't know to look for them. Wonderful resource! I highly recommend it if you're going to tour the state.
   PS--my favorite parts of Oregon are central and eastern Oregon--just beautiful! My husband loves Crater Lake and the coast.



5. This guide was very helpful in planning a trip to Oregon. Some of the less-famous sites are amazing - Oregon is a wonderful place to explore. Very glad we ordered it when making plans and used it almost every day when visiting.

5 comments about Streetwise Portland Map - Laminated City Center Street Map of Portland, Oregon - Folding pocket size travel map with Max Light Rail map.

1. I like these laminated, folding maps. They have good detail and fit in a purse. Never go out without one.



2. This is a laminated, card stock map that fits easily in a pocket. Very easy to manage. Amazing detail for its' size.



3. I have been a fan of the "Streetwise" calendars for years -- a folding laminated city map that always folds nicely, stays firm and fits easily in pockets, purses, etc.
   
   On the reverse side, it also has a wider regional map, which is helpful to put your travels into context, especially if you use the map alongside tour books that often point out destinations outside the downtown region.



4. Not everything it is cracked up to be. I would go with a regular map that they sell everywhere instead.



5. This map was perfect!! So helpful for navigating a city I've never been to before. Easy to read, has a MAX light rail map AND it's laminated! This map definitely got rained on while we were in Portland so I appreciated that it was laminated.