Hiking & Backpacking Big Sur: Your complete guide to the trails of Big Sur, Ventana Wilderness, and Silver Peak Wilderness

Just returned from a week in the Ventana Wilderness, and this book was an invaluable companion. Based on the author's detailed assessments of each major trail leading into the wilderness, we chose a less-traveled trailhead and campsites we would have otherwise overlooked. Mileage and landmark descriptions were generally accurate; the maps were adequate, but it would be helpful to show mileage between major sites. Her frequent notes of caution about hazards may be intimidating to the casual hiker, but better to be over-cautious about poison oak, ticks, flies, etc. The highest tribute to a travel guide book is that my copy was dog-eared, water-stained and thoroughly used up by the time I got home.

Bought this and the Robert Stone book. This book seemed like it might have lots of trails we wouldn't hike (too long) and might be missing some that a book dedicated to day hikes would have. Turns out, this book has tons, and is more up to date and useful than the Robert Stone book....which we stopped opening once we realized this one is better.In fact, it is the best guide book to hiking trails in the area.

This book has been immensely useful in my explorations around Big Sur and the Los Padres National Forest. Obviously, it's a published book so it won't give you the most updated maps or trail conditions, but there are websites out there that do that (e.g. see hikelospadres. com). However, it is a great starting point to discover places and trails that you wouldn't know about otherwise. Then you can look up details, updates, trip reports online.

Definitely not a complete guide. The very first trail I opened the book to look for is not listed. Nor was the camp I wanted to backpack in to, or any of the other 5 other forest service listed camp sites along the trail. Several other trails and a dozen or so other USFS camps Are not included or mentioned. Disappointed. The term “Complete Guide” is a falsity in this situation. In reality there are many trails and campsites not listed or discussed in this guide book. I’m seeing this as more of a “trail journal” with minimalist info format from someone who definitely hiked many many trails in the Big Sur area, but surely not a complete guide.Many other trails and nice little synopses can be found in this book, but don’t write “complete” anywhere if there is a lot left out.

I bought this book before heading up the coast for a camping/roadtrip. I chose this guide because I thought it was priced well for it's rating and I'm glad I did! The book provides excellent guidance in regards to restaurants, camp sites, points of interest and hiking routes. It has a really fantastic mix of short and long hikes to chose from. There were a number of moments when my friend and I checked the book just in time to find a fantastic hike or lookout that we otherwise would have missed. Also, many of the entries include local history and general information about the sites you visit.

Very well organized, very well written. SOOO much easier than trying to rely on publicly available information when doing my initial trail planning. As a published product, the trail conditions information is (understandably) outdated, but once I have a good idea of what I would like to do and have put together a trail plan and a backpacking group, getting the latest trail conditions for a named trail is easy enough online.Highly Recommended!!

Not super stoked on this book. It doesn't really cater to backpackers, as there are more out and back day hikes than anything. Hardly any loops of 20 miles or more. Disappointed. The maps are not easy to see, and I'd be better off looking at google earth. Author would have done themselves a favor and looked at "Backpacking California" before writing this one. Far superior book.

I wished it was a little easier to use, seemed a bit all over. It was detailed for each trail tho