Base Camp Las Vegas

Situated in the heart of the magnificent Southwest, Las Vegas is surrounded by spectacular natural landscapes. Within easy reach are five national parks, including Zion, Grand Canyon, and Death Valley. Dozens of state parks, regional preserves, recreation areas, and public lands offer amazing variety, from sand dunes and salt flats to alpine meadows, waterfalls, and ancient forests. Unique plant and animal life as well as archaeology, paleontology, and fascinating Wild West history are all waiting to be discovered in this region, making Las Vegas an ideal basecamp: Hikers can enjoy solitude and unspoiled wilderness by day and world-class urban amenities by night. Base Camp Las Vegas includes 101 of the best hiking destinations within hours of Las Vegas. Base Camp Las Vegas tells hikers where and when to go--and also how to prepare--to enjoy the best trails this unparalleled region has to offer.

In every direction from Las Vegas lies adventure. Sprawling across a rugged Western landscape, much of it still publicly-owned wilderness, are mile-high mountains and mile-deep canyons, forests of Joshua trees and cacti, dunes, volcano craters, and desert oases. Hiking routes famous throughout the world lie within a few hours of Las Vegas, in parts of four states.Spectacularly beautiful, the land can be dangerous without a knowledgeable guide. But Deborah Wall, hiking columnist for View Community Newspapers, has been there and done it. In this collection of her columns she tells where to go, and when, and what to expect when you get there, as you enjoy the best trails this region has to offer.

Reno: A Base Camp for All Seasons Ideally positioned between the spectacular peaks and lakes of California's Sierra Nevadas and the vast and varied Great Basin of Nevada, Reno is an unparalleled hub for exploring the natural beauty and grandeur this region offers. The area's four-season climate combined with year-round sun guarantees that every day can be a great day to go exploring. Discover the dramatic scenery and diverse terrain of ten distinct geographical regions with 101 hikes--all within no more than an hour's drive from downtown Reno. Enjoy a trail through snowbanks or amble along a sandy path. Traverse sage-covered hillsides or walk through meadows of wildflowers. Stroll along peaceful creeks or ascend to craggy cliffs and mountaintops. With Christopher and Elizabeth Barile as your guides and Reno as your base camp, you'll find your perfect adventure, whether you have a few hours to spend or time for an all-day trek. History, geology, flora, and fauna for each hike Best hikes for each season, and where to enjoy spring wildflowers, fall foliage, and more Ratings for trail conditions, difficulty, and suitability for children Detailed driving directions to trailheads and info about parking Regional maps showing all trailheads in each chapter; route and elevation map for each hike Best hikes for kids, teens, and adults with limited ability Elevation gains, mileage, average hiking times, and even calculated caloric burn! Hikes by interest: waterfalls, rock scrambling, bird watching, petroglyphs, wild horses, and many more How to prepare & what to take 101 great hikes to choose from!

Denver is known the world over as the gateway to Colorado’s magnificent Rocky Mountains. Four national forests, a national grassland, scores of regional and city parks and preserves, and Rocky Mountain National Park offer hundreds of hiking and walking trails—all within one to three hours of downtown Denver. Base Camp Denver offers you 101 of the best of these great hiking destinations to choose from. Take a day to explore an alpine meadow, walk to a waterfall, hike through a forest, or stroll suburban parklands. Enjoy a spectacular day of spring wildflowers or fall foliage, and still be home by dinnertime. Scramble to the top of a mountain to enjoy a sunrise and still make it to work by eight. With Pete KJ as your guide and Denver as your base camp, the splendor of Colorado’s Front Range is yours to enjoy one day—or even just a few hours—at a time. History, geology, flora, and fauna for each hike Best hikes for each season, and where to enjoy spring wildflowers & fall foliage Ratings from 1 to 5 for trail conditions, difficulty, suitability for children, and more Detailed driving directions to trailheads and info about elevation, hiking time, parking, and restrooms Regional maps showing all trails in each chapter; route map for each hike Best hikes for dogs, kids, and teens Hikes that offer solitude ... or plenty of company! Hikes by interest: birdwatching, stargazing, wetlands, wildlife, and more How to prepare & what to take 101 great hikes to choose from! Best hikes for each season, and where to enjoy spring wildflowers & fall foliage Ratings from 1 to 5 for trail conditions, difficulty, suitability for children, and more Detailed driving directions to trailheads and info about elevation, hiking time, parking, and restrooms Regional maps showing all trails in each chapter; route map for each hike Best hikes for dogs, kids, and teens Hikes that offer solitude ... or plenty of company! Hikes by interest: birdwatching, stargazing, wetlands, wildlife, and more How to prepare & what to take 101 great hikes to choose from! -- Pete KJ

Beyond the bright lights of one of the city's fastest growing metropolitan areas is some of the most rugged, beautiful, and remote country around. Popular destinations such as Red Rock Canyon, Valley of Fire, Death Valley, and Mt. Charles are covered, plus lesser-known areas such as Anniversary Narrows, Arrow Canyon, Bowl of Fire, and the Wee Thump Joshua Tree Wilderness. Each trip showcases the diversity of this region, from the geological wonders and rare life forms surviving in Mojave National Preserve to ancient petroglyphs. The hikes range from easy strolls to challenging treks and include distance, time, elevation change, difficulty, and trail-use notes. A custom map accompanies every description, and GPS waypoints are given for key locations.

Reno: A Base Camp for All Seasons Ideally positioned between the spectacular peaks and lakes of California’s Sierra Nevadas and the vast and varied Great Basin of Nevada, Reno is an unparalleled hub for exploring the natural beauty and grandeur this region offers. The area’s four-season climate combined with year-round sun guarantees that every day can be a great day to go exploring. Discover the dramatic scenery and diverse terrain of ten distinct geographical regions with 101 hikes—all within no more than an hour’s drive from downtown Reno. Enjoy a trail through snowbanks or amble along a sandy path. Traverse sage-covered hillsides or walk through meadows of wildflowers. Stroll along peaceful creeks or ascend to craggy cliffs and mountaintops. With Christopher and Elizabeth Barile as your guides and Reno as your base camp, you’ll find your perfect adventure, whether you have a few hours to spend or time for an all-day trek. History, geology, flora, and fauna for each hike Best hikes for each season, and where to enjoy spring wildflowers, fall foliage, and more Ratings for trail conditions, difficulty, and suitability for children Detailed driving directions to trailheads and info about parking Regional maps showing all trailheads in each chapter; route and elevation map for each hike Best hikes for kids, teens, and adults with limited ability Elevation gains, mileage, average hiking times, and even calculated caloric burn! Hikes by interest: waterfalls, rock scrambling, bird watching, petroglyphs, wild horses, and many more How to prepare & what to take 101 great hikes to choose from!

Nevada boasts some of the most diverse and beautiful landscapes in North America and is rich in trails that embrace the state’s scenic, geologic, and historic resources. Mike White, renowned outdoors writer and instructor, now offers a guide to fifty of the best Nevada hikes, ranging across the entire state from the Mojave Desert to the Sierra Nevada, from sagebrush basins to the alpine heights of the Ruby Mountains. Here are hikes for every taste and level of fitness, including outings suitable for families with small children and full-scale assaults on challenging peaks. Each hike is described in terms of its route and special features, and includes a map and elevation profile. The book also offers information about the geology, wildlife, plants, history, and weather features of Nevada, as well as helpful directions to ensure safe and comfortable travel in Nevada’s rugged and isolated backcountry. This is an indispensable guide for anyone seeking enjoyable adventures in some of the country’s most spectacular natural regions.

It takes a guilty bastard to make a justified bitch. When a severed finger shows up on her doorstep in a seedy section of Las Vegas, Helen Taylor does not freak out. She’s already crazy, as evidenced by her junk-stuffed house and its ever-growing population of cats. There’s also Bobby, her long-dead husband. Helen talks to him regularly, and Bobby talks back. The finger and the brutal murder it reveals are more than a hoarding cat lady with a phantom husband can ignore. Helen’s a suspect, and she ends up in jail. Summoned by the detective on the case, Helen’s sister Pat arrives from Phoenix with two teen-age boys in tow. While Helen is AWOL from a mental facility, another gruesome murder is discovered. Pat, the boys, and the detective struggle to separate fact from insanity, but it takes power beyond the ordinary to bring the truth to light.