Denali: The Complete Guide

by Bill Sherwonit

Book Overview

This sweeping reference to Denali National Park and Preserve, and Denali State Park, details in words, pictures, and maps all the information the traveler needs for a great Denali experience.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0882405616
• ISBN13: 9780882405612
• Release Date: May 2002
• Publisher: Alaska Northwest Books
• Length: 312 Pages
• Weight: 1.05 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 5.4" x 8.4"

Customer Reviews

Denali review

Awesome book containing moe than what we hope for. I would recommend it to everyone! It will make you want to go to Alaska and explore Denali and all it has to offer your sences.

A great overview of all things Denali

This guide covers every aspect of visiting the Denali National Park area. It covers history, natural history, visitors information, hiking, wildlife, Denali State Park, climbing McKinley.... In fact if you want an complete introduction to the park for your first visit, this is the book to get. The one trade off to having everything in one book is that the depth of information is not overwhelming in anyone area. Each section is sufficient, but if you are focusing your trip on any one area, you might want to get a more directed guide. Life for Hiking you might be better off getting Denali Guidebook by Ikes. But if you are taking your once in a life time trip to Denali and you want to read ahead to appreciate as much as you can in a day or two, get this book to get yourself up to speed with the park and it's history. If you like literary background to your destinations, consider this author's literary anthology named Denali. It has a great selection of writings about the park.

More than a hiking guide

The first things Denali travelers usually want to know are: where do I hike? How do I use the bus system? Do I need to worry about bears? What other animals will I see? Where and how can I camp? Sherwonit answers all those questions accurately and authoritatively. But what I love about this book is all the comprehensive info -- and engaging writing -- beyond the basics, which few editors require but which travelers and readers appreciate. I've scoured other Alaska guidebooks without finding the same level of info about: geology, first peoples, the history of the park's creation, early mountaineering, safe and responsible hiking, plants, photography, winter travel, and more. Then there are sidebars, checklists, maps and photos -- all well-arranged. On top of all this, the book is easy to read and enjoy, thanks to the author's pleasant voice. A few first-person sections (for example, a sidebar on the author's own ascent of Mount McKinley) add character and passion without being obtrusive. It's clear Sherwonit loves Denali National Park and put years of effort into making this a guidebook anyone can use with confidence.