14 replies to this topic

[invisiblewindow]

I am looking for the definitive trail guidebook for the park.
I have been there twice and so I have a pretty decent understanding of the park.
That said, I would like something really top notch to use to review possible hikes and to carry with me on my park visits.
I know there are lots of places online for getting the info, but nothing beats a nice book in hand.

Anyway, something that carries all the best info on the most trails.

I have looked at a variety on amazon, but I would like some personal opinions from the folks here.

Thanks much!

[DeeCeeM]

I personally have both the Dannen and Malitz guides. Both are very good, in my opinion. Dannen is more indepth; Malitz has color pictures & coordinates with the National Geographic Trails Illustrated topo map. I don't think you'd go wrong with either one. If I had to lean one way or the other, I'd probably say Dannen.

--
ps - if you get the Dannen book, be sure to read the section about what to take on the trail - it absolutely cracked me up!

[CDeb]

I'll second the Dannen recommendation. It's my Bible when I'm in the park. It's also small and compact, fitting nicely in your pack.

[ProfHall]

Yep, the Dannen book is just plain-old good reading as well as a great trail book. Note that it is in a new edition this year. The Malitz book is beautiful and does directly link to the Trails Illustrated map of the park. I probably would not take it on the trail with me, however. You did not mention family/kids, so I'll just throw in the "Family Guide to RMNP", too.

PS...I had to come back and fix a glaring misspelling!

Edited by ProfHall, 05 May 2005 - 12:48 PM.

[Aaron]

I love the Dannen's book!! I haven't checked out any others.

--Aaron

[invisiblewindow]

I love the Dannen's book!!  I haven't checked out any others.

--Aaron

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I had read that the new edition of the Dannen book was not as good as edition 8.

So, it will be one of these two:

Rocky Mountain National Park Dayhiker's Guide: A Scenic Guide to 33 Favorite Hikes Including Longs Peak

or

Hiking Rocky Mountain National Park, 9th

[Aaron]

I had read that the new edition of the Dannen book was not as good as edition 8.

So, it will be one of these two:

Rocky Mountain National Park Dayhiker's Guide: A Scenic Guide to 33 Favorite Hikes Including Longs Peak

or

Hiking Rocky Mountain National Park, 9th

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Ahh, maybe I'll hold on to my tattered 8th edition now. What did you hear about it that makes it not as good?

--Aaron

[foxfire]

Yepper! Dannen 8th edition! I bought the latest Dannen but have not even checked it out yet! I will hang on to the 8th for sure anyway and for sure --- for sure till I check out the new one. The others mentioned are probably OK or as good/better at least in ways, but Dannen 8th is ---- Yepper!

[misssilly]

On another thread today DCM asked about what clues us in to our RMNP addictions. The Dannen book is one of my clues! Seriously, when I can't sleep at night (a side effect of long stressful nights in grad school), I just read about a RMNP trail. I have read that book so many times. ha ha ha Seriously, I haven't seen the 9th edition, but the 8th has been my second 'bible' for the past couple of years.

Jen

[CDeb]

Also, if you are going to attempt Long's Peak via the Keyhole (main) Route, Donahue's "The Long's Peak Experience" is excellent.

[invisiblewindow]

Maybe I can find a lightly used copy of the 8th edition?

Here are some amazon reviews (on the negative side) for the 9th edition.
There are positive reviews as well...I guess it amounts to personal taste.
As for me, I like the idea of having all the trails with pertinent stats with an easy to use organization. As I understand it, the 8th edition of the Danner book is great, the 9th eschews the former format and faulters. (I have met my alliteration quota for today!)

=====================================================
Inferior to other Falcon Guide Trail Guides, February 16, 2003
While this book can be informative at times, it lacks organization, and is inconsistent.

If you're used to other Falcon Guide Trail books, you expect a section on each trail...how to get to the trailhead, difficulty rankings, miles each way, elevation gain, etc, all laid out at the beginning of each trails description. Not in this book. If you're interested in Longs Peak, for example, it gives no details of how to arrive at the trailhead at all. No details on getting there from ANY of the parks campgrounds, of which there are few. It goes into the climb in the style of a travelogue, NOT a trail guide. I was disappointed, and this book will now simply collect dust on my shelf. I want a guide for specific trails, with specific instructions on how to get to the trailhead, with suggestions and tips for each. Maybe I'll write my own, after spending a few weeks there this summer.

Save yourself some cash, and pass up this book.
=====================================================

For anyone hiking in RMNP, this is a good book to have along, but I'd prefer to have a second option, like Malitz's RMNP Dayhiker's Guide. Malitz's book has altiude gain, elevation at destination, distance one way, and which trailhead to use at the beginning of the description of each trail. This book just has a chart in the back. It also is just a little more like a story book than a guide book. Not what I need in the middle of the wilderness. The only pictures are sketches, where Malitz's Dayhiker's Guide has lots of nice color photos, which can take a little of the surprise out of what you're about to see, but do help in location recognition. Dannen's guide is full of info, you just have to read a little more to find it. Both are good companions to have along and to use for preparation, but if I could only carry one I'm afraid this one would stay behind in favor of Malitz's Dayhiker's Guide or the soon-to-be-released Frommer's RMNP 3rd Edition.

======================================================

I have to weigh in with the reviewer who gave this hiking guide only one star. I totally agree with his/her evaluation and description of the Dannens' book. I always buy trail books and read them at home before going off on a hiking trip. I purchased this book but it was so boring I almost fell asleep reading it. Needless to way, I won't bother to take it with me to Colorado this June.

======================================================

This would have been a lot better in the regular Falcon guide format. I found the descriptions in this book rambling, lacking in any useful detail and not very helpful.

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[mwilson]

We've used the Dannen book for years. I love the small size for sticking in a pack. It even fits great into a fanny pack. I'll have to check our edition, because I know there have been a couple out since the one we have. Just like everyone else, I'd highly recommend it!

Marsha

[DeeCeeM]

I just checked my copy of Dannen when I got home - I actually have the 9th edition. As I said before, I highly recommend it. No, it doesn't spoonfeed you the information, but it's there if you will just read it. As for saying it doesn't even tell you how to get to the trailheads - that's ridiculous. The very first thing in the book is a trailhead locator. The destination chart in the back of the book is pretty comprehensive; and there is also an index that lets you turn right to whatever hike you're looking for.

It's true that Malitz's book has a more simplified format, but it is also more of an overview of each trail.

Only you can determine which format is more likely to meet your needs. As I said at the beginning of this thread, I like to use Dannen and Malitz in tandem, but the one that goes in my backpack is Dannen.

[waterrat]

I personally love the Dannen's book. Like others I sometimes pick it up around here just to read about everything, even the places I'm not likely to get to for several years. They definitely have a good sense of humor! I've only found them to give the wrong impression one time, and that was due to rockslides that had occurred since their last trip up that particular trail.

[invisiblewindow]

a half day at work means time to visit barnes and noble to see what i can see.