Hiking North Carolina's Mountains-to-Sea Trail Review

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(More customer reviews)I used this book as I went against the grain and attempted the MTS from Blowing Rock to Cherokee-backwards. I guess this is a one way trail! De Harts book is strictly from "left to right". Its plentiful in anecdotal ways and vague in ways that make it occasionally unreliable for the person attempting this trail-especially if you are going "backwards".
On the MTS trail, those seeking deep wilderness experience will have to be very tolerant. Through-hikers seeking to decompress and exit the infrastructuremania (much less human imprint altogether) might find this trail aggravating. If that doesn't get you then the the incredible inconsistency in the quality level of its marking will: some places are marked with excellence and intelligence, others are marked very poorly. No fault of Allen De Hart's.
Although there are many very long walking interludes away from the busy Blue Ridge Parkway, The MTS trail in the mountains is largely defined by this amazing asphalt strip. Hiking alongside, hidden in the woods, this trail has a walker moving within yards of and often with clear sight of a good bit of the BRP(or should I say the Harley Davidson Parkway?)often with incessant and persistent sound of traffic. When not on trail that mirrors the BRP one hikes along a fair amount of forest service road.
From Boone to Gatlinburg there is a spectacular, majestic wilderness with cascading creeks, lush forests, gorgeous waterfalls and timeless vistas. This vast, magical wonderland has been absolutely indundated, dissected, and overrun by bustling auto-tourism, commerce, and modern human living. Walking this trail brings this truth clearly to the user.
The MTS trail links together and passes through much exquisite ground. Without its traffic, the Blue Ridge Parkway is a wonderful,serene place (and would make a terrific trail-ask George Washington Vanderbilt!). If you are seeking to spirit away into a long-distance, primeval experience the MTS trail may not be the walk for you.
De Hart's maps are faint and of minimal use while on trail.

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North Carolina's Mountains-to-Sea Trail offers some of the most rewarding hiking experiences in the East. Covering nearly 1,000 miles, it stretches from Clingman's Dome, the highest peak in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, to Jockey's Ridge, the largest sand dune on the Atlantic Coast. The route, a mix of some 500 miles of designated and planned hiking trails and 500 miles of state bicycle paths also used for hiking, winds through three national parks, three national forests, seven state parks, two wilderness areas, and two wildlife refuges, as well as farming communities and small towns. The only comprehensive guide to the Mountains-to-Sea Trail, Allen de Hart's book allows hikers to hit the trail with confidence. It is organized around thirty-eight trail sections, each with detailed descriptions, maps, and photographs. De Hart discusses terrain, scenery, plant and animal life, rivers and streams, and historic sites; and his "campside stories" introduce hikers to local history and lore. Also covered are parking; provisions, camping, and lodging; rules and regulations; and health and safety tips.

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The Concise Visitor's Guide to Yellowstone Review

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(More customer reviews)This is the second book I've read by Matt. The first one on Yosemite was equally good. This book was especially interesting to me since my husband and I recently visited Yellowstone. We didn't spend a long time there but could re-live some of the places we had seen. Matt does an excellant job of giving information on where to stay, where to eat, and what hikes to take. It's clear from his writtings that he truly loves the National Parks. It's written from a personal point of view which makes it all the more enjoyable. I would recommend this book to anyone planning a trip to Yellowstone National Park. It's a great read.

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Demystifying weather, wildlife populations, hundreds of square miles of backcountry, and park accommodations that are often sold out a year in advance, "The Concise Visitor's Guide to Yellowstone" by author and national park enthusiast Matt Bolton is the smartest tool to ensure your trip to America's first national park is unforgettable. This guide, the second in a series, follows Bolton's Amazon Category Best Seller, "The Concise Visitor's Guide to Yosemite." Sized to fit your backpack and your budget, your adventure begins here. In seventeen engaged and informative chapters like "Hiking Options" and "Wildlife in Yellowstone" Bolton makes a beeline to the basics so readers can really enjoy the scenic route. He satisfies the vital needs of where to stay and where to eat, and answers general questions, like how to get to Yellowstone, for first-time visitors. He offers up-to-date phone numbers and websites, as well as details on visitor centers, seasonal events for kids, and camping. Leaving no stone unearthed he also lists activities for outdoor enthusiasts who don't particularly like to hike and what to do in case of inclement weather. Whether you have a single afternoon or an entire month, Bolton walks readers through how to make the most of their time at Yellowstone and doesn't just offer what he thinks are the best trails and tours but goes the extra mile to explain why. With tips on what to pack, what sort of challenges might come up, and where to fuel the car, Bolton never misses a beat in making national parks accessible-and ensures that your time at Yellowstone is extraordinary.

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