No comments about HISTORICAL ATLAS OF WEST VIRGINIA (West Virginia and Appalachia).

1 comments about Streetwise Maryland & the Virginias Laminated State Road Map.

1. The map's format seems ideal to the outdoors and bike riding. Unfortunately, it wasn't in sufficient detail. I would prefer a smaller area - and more detail.

2 comments about Day & Overnight Hikes in West Virginia's Monongahela National Forest, 2nd (Day & Overnight Hikes - Menasha Ridge).

1. I just used this book to navigate through the Dolly Sods Wilderness loop last weekend. The book was an invaluable tool because of the (somewhat) detailed trail maps it offers and the elevation profile of the trail. I did find the 2-3 page description of the trail to be pretty good, but I felt that it was too vague in spots.
   
   Overall, I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to get started hiking in the Mon. After a few trips, you might even start making your own loops with knowledge you soak up from this book. I digg.



2. We used this book although not much. Many of the hikes are generic and not detailed. Really, the best thing to do is to go to the Seneca Rocks National Park visitors center for maps. They have the best and latest trail maps of Dolly Sods, Seneca Rocks and mountains in the area. This book really did not help except for putting us in the right area.
   
   Oh and the other thing the book does not tell you is true weather conditions - for example, Dolly Sods after the rain? Waterproof shoes and gators won't help you. You are not going anywhere.
   
   Things like that are best left to the ranger station - those guys could tell you what you are really up against.

1 comments about A Canoeing & Kayaking Guide to West Virginia, 5th.

1. I just recently discovered this book when a friend loaned it to me, and I can't wait to order my copy. This is a nice reference book that will stay on my coffee table from April to September. I do a lot of canoeing/fishing on the rivers in the summer, and this book has already led me to a lot of great floats that I didn't know about, even though I'm a native West Virginian. It's not going to tell you what to expect around every bend, but it does list the more notable areas of each river, including the dangers and problems you may encounter.

   The first section of the book has basic information on canoeing and kayaking, terms and definitions, dealing with locals, phone numbers and other sources of information, and more (Much of this is written in a humorous way, reminding me somewhat of Pat McManus).

   The book then lists each river basin, and after a short description of the area and a little history, it breaks it up into sections. The layout for each section is as follows:

   1.TABLE - Contains capacities and ratings of the section including rapid classes, river gradient, water volume, scenery rating, time of trip, and river level.

   2.MAPS - List of the names of the USGS maps and county maps that cover the section area.

   3.DESCRIPTION - Describes the river, the scenery, and any other noteworthy aspects of the trip.

   4.DIFFICULTIES - Notes any dangerous areas or other problems you may encounter along the way.

   5.SHUTTLE - Suggests put-in and take-out spots or if there are any shuttle services provided.

   6.GAUGE - Notes locations of river level gauges, phone numbers to call for river level information, or just basic references to gauge the level of the river for navigability. (I especially like this. Many times it goes something like, "If there are three stones showing on the so-and-so bridge, you should have no problems from point A to point B." This is nice since so many of our rivers have isolated sections that are nearly impossible to scout.)

   If you live in West Virginia and want to canoe or kayak, or if you are planning a trip here for some river sports, this book is a great buy for the money.

3 comments about 50 Hikes in West Virginia: From the Allegheny Mountains to the Ohio River.

1. Great book. Well written, interesting background on the hikes--both human and natural history as well as detailed descriptions. All of the hikes I've done so far have been very accurately described. Has some well known hikes, but also many others that are just as good, or better. I've used many other guides to the Mountain State--this one is the best.



2. I agree--great book
   I live in Marlinton, almost in the center of hiking in West Virginia, and just bought this book about a month ago. I have found it to be helpful in learning about new places that I have never heard of (and I thought I was a well-seasoned WV hiker). I also like the author's style of writing in that it flows nicely from point to point as it gives the directions you need to find your way along with wonderful pieces of information about the place you are hiking through. Again, I agree with the previous review. This is the best WV hiking guide I have come across.



3. 50 hikes in West Virginia has provided me with information on places that I have been hiking for years, but never knew the background on them, such as the history of the place, why it looks like it does, what plants and animals make their homes there and what their lives are like. So many guidebooks just tell you how to get to a hike and how long it is, but 50 Hikes in West Virginia is so much more than that.
   
   I enjoy sitting down and reading the book before I go on the hike, so that I will know what to be looking for while I'm out there. Get this book and you will have a great time in the wilds of West Virginia.

No comments about Staunton/Shenandoah Mountain, George Washington National Forest Hiking Map.

5 comments about West Virginia Atlas & Gazetteer.

1. I bought this West Virginia Map and Gazetteer in order to help my husband and I find our way through WV. We're most interested in the topography - elevations, rivers, creeks, etc. I would recommend using this book map in conjunction with a regular road map, because there isn't quite enough detail for smaller roads, but it's a great place to start.



2. This atlas fills a void because it gives a very clear picture of the terrain as well as roads. I like having these atlases along to give the context for hiking excursions, as well as showing the back road ways to get there. The section on special sights to see in WV is very helpful as well. There is no substitute for more detailed topographical maps for actual hiking trails, but this atlas is a necessart intermediate step between topos and road maps.



3. This book provides complete and thurough topographical maps for the entire state of West Virginia. If you enjoy hiking, fishing, camping, exploring in this great state, you need this atlas. At first I was surprised at the details provided in this book. I was able to find even the smallest of streams and geographical features. Now, after using it so many times, I would be surprised if a stream is not on this map.
   
   The bottom line is that you need this atlas if you enjoy the West Virginia outdoors.



4. Once again this series of maps has been outstanding. The ease in reading and applying the info to the road is way above par. And for railroad enthusiasts, this is the only map published with railroad details that are current and precise.



5. Like other Delorme atlases, this is nicely detailed - though like other atlas, it can be annoying to use when you have to move from one page to another to follow a route. We also purchased (on Amazon) a Martinsburg - Charles Town - Eastern West Virginia road map that would be a better choice if you are looking for something to use while driving around Eastern West Virginia.

1 comments about Scenic Driving West Virginia.

1. This book is downright AWESOME! We purchased this recently before going to the Greenbrier and used it extensively for some short side trips and FYI during our travel. There is all kinds of information in this book that even the most seasoned travelers don't know. This is one of the most useful books I've ever purchased.

2 comments about Hikes in the Virginias (Exploring the Appalachian Trail).

1. Before I read "Exploring the Appalachian Trail - Hikes in the Virginias", I thought you could only experience the Appalachian Trail on an extended backpacking expedition. Man, was I wrong! Even if you only have a few hours to spare, you can still enjoy hiking on the AT - this book shows you how. One of a series covering the entire trail from Georgia to Maine, this book describes a wide variety of dayhikes in Virginia.

   With this book, I've explored many beautiful sections of the trail in that state - including McAfee Knob, Grayson Highlands, and Shenandoah National Park. You can bet that I will continue to use the "Exploring the Appalachian Trail" series in planning future hikes on the AT!




2. PLEASE NOTE: THERE are NOT 170 hikes in the book. The whole series must contain that many.
   
   I own 3 books in this series. The Southern Appalachian, the Virginias, and the Mid-Atlantic States guide. I have found these books to be a great aid in planning hikes, especially 2-3 day backpacking trips. Since most of these hikes are either one-way or round trip (as opposed to circuit hikes) you either need to have two cars or plan on seeing the same sites twice. I'm not saying this is a bad thing, but other books have better circuit hikes.
   
   This series IS very informative, not only with regards to the actually hike, but also the history both natural and otherwise of the area you are hiking in.
   
   I have done approx 10 of the 46 hikes in this guide, including both out and back day hikes, as well as 4 day 'thru-hikes' combining 2 or more of these hikes strung together, and this book has been very informative during these hikes. The maps could be a little better, as they are topographical maps with a green line for the trail.. They are adequate, but I've seen better.
   
   All 46 hikes come with a description, a map, an elevation profile, and an itinerary, as well as various other information.
   
   When planning for a hike I do tend to use this book in conjunction with other books, but I usually take this book (or copies of the pages) on the actual hike itself. The fact that the pages are so small allows for easier handling and storage of the laminated pages during the trip.
   
   So if you enjoy hiking and are near the AT while in the Virginias, you may want to take a look at this book. It is well worth the money.

5 comments about Waterfalls of Virginia and West Virginia.

1. This is a very great book to the waterfalls in these to states. I am only 13 and love waterfalls. I have been to only about 20-30 in this book but will go to more. I would also suggest Yellowstone Watewrfalls and Their discovery, Waterfalls of the mid-atlantic states and Michigan Waterfalls. I own all THree and find them very usefull Evan though Yellowstone is a 1,000+ mile drive from Maryland!



2. I use with book in conjunction with the SNP maps of hiking trails and waterfalls,
   and do use the Gazetteer that is referenced.
   Directions and trail description are right on, more informative
   than what the park service gives you.
   I have hiked many of the Waterfalls referenced, and would never
   have found some without this Book & Gazetteer.(outside of parks)
   I have purchased other books about Waterfalls in VA, and this
   is by far the best.
   Note-to-self (and others): I just hiked the Rose River Falls
   loop that includes the Dark Hollow Falls, in SNP, this past
   weekend, 1) "all trailheads that start on SkyLine Drive go downhill",
   that means hiking back UP 2) Recommend hiking the loop
   in a ClockWise Direction, as when you are hiking back UP the
   other side of the loop, you have a beautiful view of the Rose
   River and Hogcamp Branch and the many, many cascades of water
   over the rocks,as it distracts you from the long hike back up to the parking area. Literally about a mile along the water.



3. Will enjoy planing a trip there to photograph the waterfalls



4. Excellent book with tons of waterfalls. Would prefer having more color photos (some don't have photos at all), but if you're a photographer you can make your own!
   
   Highly recommended for waterfall lovers in the VA and WV region.



5. My boyfriend is a "waterfall" buff and has been to every fall in NC..I gave him this book for Xmas and he loved it..It gave info on all the waterfalls in our area and the info on how to get to them..This was a great gift for him..I'd recommend this to anyone who loves the outdoors and loves to hike..Now we can explore the Virginia area this summer..He loved the book and I always go to Amazon for all my books anymore...They are great!!