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Hiking Arizona’s Geology (Hiking Geology)
Ivo Lucchitta
Another book of a favorite series of mine, the Hiking Geology series from The Mountaineers Books. After describing rock types, geologic time, and the various geologic forces, the book goes on to describe the geology of 41 popular trails throughout Arizona in easy-to-understand language. Hiking Arizona’s Geology includes the South Kaibab and Tanner trails. For a book completely on Grand Canyon’s trails, check out Hiking the Grand Canyon’s Geology (Hiking Geology).
The Ultimate Desert Handbook : A Manual for Desert Hikers, Campers and Travelers
Mark Johnson
There is a book I really enjoy and feel is a great resource for hiking or traveling in the desert, which of course the Grand Canyon’s Inner Gorge is! I’m very excited about it because it is a manual for desert adventurers—a topic dismally ignored by most books on the subject of outdoor adventure. There are plenty of books covering oceans, mountains, and prairies, but you’d almost think the desert didn’t exist judging by how few books cover it. And I guarantee that hiking in the mountains and the desert are completely different from one another. This is an invaluable book for those hiking in Canyon Country.
Arizona Atlas & Gazetteer
Delorme
This isn’t something for your backpack but actually for your home and vehicle. I use this when planning the larger strategy on where to hike and laying out the trip. This atlas includes topo maps of the entire state and shows the back roads and differentiates between public lands, shows trails and jeep roads, fishing areas, and launch sites. It highlights Grand Canyon’s South Rim Scenic Route and includes a lot more useful information on Arizona recreational and historical sites. A great resource!
Arizona Technical Canyoneering
Todd Martin
Arizona has some of the most amazing slot canyons you’ll find in the world, and Todd has hiked them! He’s got a website, www.ToddsHikingGuide.com, where he provides updates to changes to access, canyons, and any other issues. This is a technical guide that requires ropes and skill, but the rewards are beyond belief. Todd is also the author of Grand Canyoneering.
I believe that Falcon Guides publish some of the finest trail guides. This excellent book takes you through more than 85 trails in the Sonoran Desert. All trails are encompassed within the southern third of Arizona. This comprehensive guide includes hikes in Saguaro National Park, Organ Pipe National Monument, Aravaipa Canyon Wilderness, Chiricahua National Monument and Mountains, and the border ranges.
You’ll find hikes that take you into canyons or over the tops of mountains, and trips ranging from easy day hikes to strenuous, multi-day backpacks. One thing I really find helpful is the trail profiles shown for each hike. With each description, you find information on trailheads, maximum elevation, elevation loss and gain, mileage, water sources, seasons, maps needed, managing agencies, and backcountry information. There is some very useful information at the beginning of the book that helps you plan your trip and gives you tips on dealing with the desert’s special, and often harsh, features.
Sedona’s Top 10 Hikes
Dennis Andres
This is a good choice for those visiting Sedona—especially first-timers. It allows you to check out some very nice hikes without getting into anything extremely strenuous or too remote. There are trails for various abilities which are very well described and easy to follow. Beautiful photos will help you decide which trails you wish to take.
Great Sedona Hikes: Third Edition
Willian Bohan, David Butler
The newly updated guide book of Sedona hikes showing recent changes to the trail system. This is especially important since the Slide Fire in the Spring of 2014 burned large portions in Oak Creek Canyon and affected many of the trails on the north side of Sedona. Well researched and numerous choices for all abilities. An excellent choice for hiking in the area.