Utah's Wilderness Areas: The Complete Guide.
“Our most moving (spiritually and literally) wildlife sighting was of a herd of wild horses. A black stallion with ropy muscles pushed his mares and one spindly colt into a run as they left the grasslands near the creek and headed up into the rocky hills. Their long tails and manes swept the tops of sagebrush and greasewood as they ran.” – p.264. Text by Lynna Howard and Photography by Leland Howard.
The Complete Guide is an extensive guidebook that helps hikers and backpackers of all skill levels explore the most beautiful places in Utah. Author Lynna Howard, along with her photographer/brother Leland, leads you on trails of all difficulty levels across the varied terrain of this scenic state. A guidebook in Westcliffe’s trademark style, the book is packed with over 100 full-color photographs, as well as detailed trail and overview maps and regional color-coding.
Lynna Howard provides clear trail descriptions and other important information for each hike, such as where a hiker might find drinking water or a campground for the night. However, her text is also peppered with wry wit and poetic depictions, making the book not only instructive but an enjoyable read as well. Leland Howard’s vivid photographs provide examples of the beauty one might encounter in Utah’s most remote and breathtaking wilderness areas.
Covering 99 designated and proposed wilderness areas, wilderness study areas, and instant study areas, the Howards have teamed up to create an invaluable tool for all those who wish to fully experience the splendor of Utah’s wild areas. From the High Uintas Wilderness in Northeast Utah to Ashdown Gorge Wilderness in the Southwest, this book leaves no wild part of Utah unexplored.
To purchase the Utah Wilderness guide, contact the author at lynna.howard@mac.com
Along Montana & Idaho’s Continental Divide Trail
Text by Lynna Howard and Photography by Leland Howard.
Nearly 1,000 miles of rugged scenery along the Continental Divide Trail link Yellowstone National Park to the border of Canada--and the story of that trek is exhilarating. Leland Howard's photographic tribute to this beautiful part of the Continental Divide, combined with Lynna Howard's reflective and insightful account of their experiences along the trail itself, lead the reader into parts of the country that remain for the most part wild and unexplored. "On the Continental Divide, summer is a chimera whose light hand quickly releases its hold," Lynna writes. "It is this fleeting beauty, the changeable nature of the land and the weather, and the threat of danger behind it, that defines Idaho and Montana's Continental Divide National Scenic Trail."
To purchase Continental Divide Trail books, contact the author at lynna.howard@mac.com
Montana & Idaho’s Continental Divide Trail:
The Official Guide
Review by: Bob Ellinwood from Bedford, VA
I'm hiking the CDT - about 4/5th through - and this is the 3rd Westcliffe guidebook I've used. As Field Editor for an AT guidebook, I'm jealous of some of the great qualities in these books. Lynna Howard's guidebook, filled with practical trail detail and stunning photos, is intended for both section and long-distance hikers.
First, it's the most recent, up-to-date guide out there. Trail descriptions are very helpful: "Look downhill in the meadow, below the sign, for a single tree that is blazed." Specific compass bearings are cited and advice given on which available map has the treadway shown correctly. The CDT is hard to follow and current advice like that is highly valued.
Each section is rated by degree of difficulty, with good trailhead access directions. Symbols in the text warn you of special conditions and "alert" situations. Helpful information on Ranger Districts and how to reach them, as well as available services (with phone numbers!) in trail towns, is given.
There are excellent detailed, easy-to-read, color topo maps, backed up by helpful trail profiles... good graphics! Also, something not all guides have, there is a good index at the back.
This is a beautiful book, on good paper. But don't be concerned with the weight. Experienced hikers either copy the pages as needed from their own personal copy or cut it as needed and buy a 2nd "display" copy for fondling when others aren't looking. Warning to guidebook addicts like me, this isn't a "humble" book, it's a class act!
To purchase Continental Divide Trail books or the Utah Wilderness book, contact the author at lynna.howard@mac.com
