Guidebooks? Yogi's?

imported
#1

I’m looking for an easy to use guidebook with recent trail/town info that would be reasonable to carry pieces of. What do people think about Yogi’s book? Planning on carrying maps separate.

MC

#2

love love love yogi’s info!..eric the black’s ‘atlas’ is good, too…have you checked out halfmile’s online maps?

maw-ee

#3

Yogi’s book is worth its weight in GOLD. We were walking into Cuba, NM and it was raining, hailing, and lightning was hitting all around. We looked in Yogi’s book and there was a phone number for the Del Prado motel. The manager… a wonderful lady… came out and picked us up and saved our day. Just one of many times Yogi’s book helped immensely.

Robocop

#4

If you already have maps, and you want town info, Yogi’s is the best way to go. It also has the best info on water sources, as well as descriptions of the trail in places where navigation might be tricky.

Scott Bryce

#5

I’ve found that town info can be reliably had by asking someone on the street when you get to town. But if you do want to carry a book that leads 95% of hikers to go to the exact same places, i think there might be one out there. I just can’t remember the author though. The name hardly ever comes up.

markv

#6

I totally agree with Markv - the best info is local knowledge & if you just go to guidebook recommended options, you have automatically reduced your chances for the REAL trail magic along this wonderful trail - when strangers walk up to you & offer their house, etc.

I first hiked the PCT before there were any Town Guides ('97) & never had a problem finding my way around - I ended up interacting with the locals a lot which added a lot to the flavor of my thru-hike.

On my 2nd PCT hike in '05 it looked like nearly every PCT thru-hiker was on a scavenger hunt in each town. They were marching to guidebook recommended spots like lemmings. Furthermore, the thru-hikers were not interacting with the locals like they did in the past - which is unfortunate for both the local residents who want to help out & for the hikers who lose out on the great, current local knowledge & history.

Guides are fine if that’s what you want, but if you want more of an adventure, with some amazing surprises, then go without them. It’s very hard to get lost in any of the PCT towns!

Happy Trails!

freebird