GOOD SOURCES OF INFORMATION
The best we can hope to achieve during this net is to touch upon some of the resources that are available to the outdoor adventurer. We have arrived at these sources either by our own research or by noticing what others have used. The universe of literature and information, however, is so vast that we cannot possibly expect to cover it all. So, this is why we encourage everyone to let us know what you are using. Other than relying on trusted sources, there is no substitute for doing your own research!!!
One word of caution is necessary here. Exercise good judgment when you rely on a particular source, as some are driven not so much by the quality of the outdoor adventure, but by the financial gain that the author likely receives if you follow their advice. If you are in doubt, ask around. And, if you are interested, this website would be a good starting point!!!
For this net, I will divide these sources into the following categories:
MAGAZINES
There are probably countless magazines that are good sosurces of information, but I will mention only two - Arizona Highways and Desert Magazine.
Desert Magazine was a monthly regional publication based in the Colorado Desert, published between 1937–1985. It has been out of publication for quite some time and as a result it has reverted to public domain. During its almost 50 years of publication, it amassed a huge inventory of fascinating stories about the South West. Many of the articles are still relevant today and involve places that can still be visited. The complete collection of Desert Magazine are available for free by down loading here:
http://desertmagazine.com/desert-magazine-archives/.
Arizona Highways has been in continuous publication since 1921. It started as a publication of the Arizona State Highway Department and remains so taday, except that the agency has changed its name to the Arizona Department of Transportation. The basic premise of the magazine was, up to a certain point, (in this writers opinion), a show case for the places in Arizona which were open to travel on public roads and highways. Again, up to a certain point in time, (also in my opinion) the photography was as spectacular as one could get. In pursuit of the magazines purpose, many of the backcountry areas of Arizona became feature articles in the magazine and a wonderful source of ideas for places for the off-road enthusiast to explore. In the early 2000's, a new editor brought a new philosophy to the magazine and the backcountry emphasis was all but abandoned. Fear not, however, as many of the earlier issues are still available. As a regular subscriber, I still have dozens of the "preferred" AH magazines, and they continue to be a terrific source of places I want to visit in Arizona. With all due respect to the
new AH, it has become a great source of restaurants and B&Bs throughout the State.
- Arizona Highways and Desert Magazine.jpg (1.6 MiB) Viewed 896 times
BOOKS AND PAMPHLETS
1. MASSEY AND WILSON BOOKS
The field of books is huge, but there are a few standouts worth mentioning. In addition to the Massey books mentioned by Tom, below, the Massey and Wilson Back Country books, in the larger size, are still available and for reasonable prices. For larger states, such as California, they break the volumes into two separate books. For the relatively smaller states, like Arizona, one book covers it all. Amazon has the South California book for about $35, see:
https://www.amazon.com/Backcountry-Adve ... 1930193041.
Massey and Wilson wrote these books with the goal of providing the "Ultimate Guide to the Backcountry For anyone With a Sport Utility Vehicle". This means that one does not need to have the most extreme off-road vehicle to enjoy the backcountry. Your average Sport Utility will do. The trails are rated so you can judge the ability of your vehicle to make the trip. GPS coordinates are provided, as are some excellent descriptions, maps and pictures.
- Back Country Adventure by Massey.jpg (529.75 KiB) Viewed 915 times
2. ROGER AND LORIS MITCHELL BOOKS
Tom has mentioned the Mitchell books below, but there is one that should be of special interest to those in the South West - The Western Mojave Desert. Many have discovered the legend of Burro Schmidt and have visited his life long pursuit to building his now famous tunnel. This particular volume of the Mitchell series of SUV trails is dedicated to Burro Schmidt and includes the following comments:
- Mitchell - The Western Mojave Desert.jpg (545.5 KiB) Viewed 912 times
- Mitchell - Burro Schmidt.jpg (646.39 KiB) Viewed 912 times
3. AUTOMOBILE CLUB AND WILDERNESS PRESS
One of the many reasons to join the Auto Club is the great selection of maps and books that they offer. The book on the left is a terrific guide to the Southern California Desert region. As you might expect, the Auto Club is not your average hard core 4 wheeler organization and their publications mostly cater to the average vehicle crowd. This book is a slight departure as it lists many trails that require 4 wheel drive and some good clearance. If you are a member, it is a resource of which you should take advantage.
The book on the right, California Desert Byways, takes a similar approach to desert travel. As the cover suggests, it is geared to "Backcountry Drives For the Whole Family." The publisher is Wilderness Press, who is a a good source for both vehicle and hiking information, see:
https://www.wildernesspress.com/home.php
- AAA and Wilderness Press.jpg (644.46 KiB) Viewed 912 times
Wilderness Publications also offers the finest guide to the Anza Borrego Desert that I yet seen. It is written by Lowell and Diana Lindsay and has been regularly updated with new trail information and directions. It is a complete guide to the Park's nearly 600 miles of off-road trails and is complete with excellent directions and a listing of points of interest. I have provided a picture of this book in its 1992 printing (right) and the 2003 printing (left). As you can see from the book on the right, I have nearly worn the cover off the book. This served as a guide for our family visits to Anza Borrego for nearly 20 years. The guide is so complete and thorough that it would take many years to see all that the park has to offer. Highly recommended!!!
- Anza Borrego By Lindsay.jpg (596.11 KiB) Viewed 910 times
4. SUNBELT PUBLICATIONS
Sunbelt Publications is a Southern California publisher who specializes in travel and out door books, see:
http://sunbeltpublications.com/. They characterize their focus with this description:
Sunbelt Publications produces and distributes natural science and outdoor guidebooks, regional histories and reference, and stories that celebrate the land and its people. Sunbelt books help to discover and conserve the natural, historical, and cultural heritage of unique regions that include California, the Southwest, and Baja California.
For those who have joined us on our annual Borrego Fest event, and have experienced the Mine run, you know about the Sunbelt book which is provided to every participant - Leland Fetzers, "A Good Camp." It is a wonderful history of the Julian gold boom years and the people who made it happen.
- A Good Camp.jpg (616.68 KiB) Viewed 910 times
5. ARCADIA PUBLISHING
Arcadia Publishing has established a very unique series of books, covering a large cross section of America. Their focus is publishing books that explore local history and culture. Their catalog is enormous and covers all parts of the country, see:
https://www.arcadiapublishing.com/Home. The best insight into their philosophy comes from their website:
Arcadia Publishing and The History Press are the leading and most comprehensive publishers of local and regional books in the United States with a library of more than 12,000 titles. Headquartered in Charleston, South Carolina, the two imprints publish a combined 900 books each year.
By empowering history and culture enthusiasts to write local stories for local audiences, we create exceptional books that are relevant on a local and personal level, enrich lives, and bring readers closer – to their community, their neighbors, and their past. We are committed to the pursuit of new growth opportunities and to increasing the availability, depth, and breadth of local books. Driven by genuine pride in our work and an infectious enthusiasm for what we do, we are universally dedicated to the success of our authors, employees, and stakeholders.
One example of their work comes in the form of a book written by Rena Deutsch Ph.D entitled, "San Diego and Arizona Railway." The SD&R runs through parts of the Anza Borrego Desert and my interest in it's history, prompted in part by this book, motivated us to hike to one of the Railway's most notable features - The Goat Canyon Trestle. Enjoyment of the places we travel is enhanced by an understanding of it's history. These books provide just that.
- SD&ARR.jpg (560.25 KiB) Viewed 908 times
6. NATIONAL PARK INFORMATION
Way too much information exists out there on our National Parks to mention here. If you know the area you want to explore, it's time to turn to the internet, or someone who has traveled to the area. I will only mention one unique publication that piqued our interest, in an area we visit regularly - The Kings Canyon National Park and the Sequoia National Park. Many may appreciate these areas for their natural forest beauty and magnificent trees, but most don't know that they are rich with natural caves and caverns. In fact, there are 100s of them that have been discovered to date and more being discovered all the time. Many are available for exploration, but there are restrictions. For those who wish to visit the caves and caverns, the rewards are extraordinary. One fantastic source of information is the book, "Hidden Beneath the Mountains, Caves of Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks." Available at your favorite book store.
- Hidden Beneath the Mountains.jpg (1.27 MiB) Viewed 896 times
ORGANIZATIONS