Best Hikes Reno and Lake Tahoe: The Greatest Views, Historic Sites, and Forest Strolls (Best Hikes Near Series)

Ms. Salcedo’s exemplary writing and meticulous organization say much about good things here. Like others from Falconguides production values soar beyond praise. Six by nine, glossily covered, and about half an inch thick, you’d probably not tote this as a pocketbook. Perhaps carefully stashed in double Ziplocs in a daypack?

Using this second edition as a reference in planning expeditions would be essential.

Richness includes vibrant color and other photography, ranging from meadow and trail vistas to forest to close-ups of entrancing things like wild roses.

Resources include trail descriptions, what water to encounter and where its sources are, any fees, whether your dog may come along, leashing rules. History and background, with maps and very good accessing advice, are constant. Equipment advice is abundant, and even a fine recounting of the author’s first excruciating long hike with her friend Caitlin, complete with exhaustion, blisters, a face plant, gear being dropped or rendered unusable. Like most adventures, that is entertaining when someone else was doing the suffering.

Replete with warnings about critter courtesies and even some recountings of people variants, like insane distance runners, Best Hikes is a gripping read just as a book, let alone what a promising resource it will be.