The daily Astorian., January 13, 2022, Page 10, Image 10

BOOKMONGER
HIKING MADE EASY
Guides offer helpful tips for nearby exploring
For all of you who have dreams of
getting out into nature more in 2022,
here are two new books that will
encourage you to do so!
“Lost Fire Lookout Hikes and
Histories” offers over 60 hikes to fire
lookout sites throughout the Willapa
Hills and the Olympic Peninsula. In
researching these destinations, Olym-
pia, Washington, author Leslie Romer
proves to be not just a doughty hiker
but also a veritable scholar.
But before you get to the sec-
tion of the book that details the hikes,
please read the 11 pages of pref-
ace. These contain smart advice that
Romer wants to convey to anyone
following in her footsteps, things
like: make sure you know who owns
the land where you’ll be hiking, and
get the proper permits ahead of time;
know the etiquette you should prac-
tice when encountering wild ani-
mals; and, don’t skimp on the Ten
Essentials.
Heeding this counsel will lead to
a better experience once you actually
hit the trails.
Following this introduction,
Romer has prepared at-a-glance
tables that summarize the hikes by
distance, elevation gain, seasonal
access and more.
Then you’ll get to the actual hike
descriptions. Each entry methodi-
cally includes an overview, driving
directions to the trailhead, a map and
detailed directions for the hike.
Romer also combed through
archival records and pored over old
maps and written guides to provide
mini-histories of each site and even
information about some of the folks
who once staffed and supplied these
lookouts. These included a Disney
illustrator, a famous female horse
packer, and — during World War II
— Aircraft Warning Service spotters.
“Lost Fire Lookout Hikes and
Histories” provides destinations that
are off the beaten path.
But for those of you who don’t
enjoy soaring heights and thin
air, there’s another new guide that
10 // COASTWEEKEND.COM
focuses on trekking at sea level.
“Hiking the Oregon Coast Trail”
focuses on the 400-mile trail that
stretches from the Columbia River to
the California border.
In some areas the trail is still
aspirational — there are some seg-
ments that involve walking along
the shoulder of U.S. Highway 101.
But Eugene-based adventurer and
seasoned guidebook author Bonnie
Henderson provides as many work-
arounds as she can
for these, with tips on
water and land shut-
tles. She also supplies
lodging and camping
options and where you
can restock your food
supply.
And while Hen-
derson writes this with
the thru-hiker in mind,
she has divided the
hikes into sections, so
folks who can’t invest
a month in trekking
the entire length still
can explore the coast
in smaller doses.
Those on the North
Coast may also know
Henderson through
her communications work with the
North Coast Land Conservancy.
It’s obvious that both authors
assembled their books with boots on
the ground, binoculars in hand, and
utmost care. Even so, both of these
books acknowledge that conditions
in nature are prone to change. So,
whether you’re skirting a headland or
hiking a mountain switchback, keep
aware of your surroundings.
Which is the whole point of get-
ting outside anyway, right?
May these guides help you
explore and enjoy nature more often
in 2022!
The Bookmonger is Barbara Lloyd
McMichael, who writes this weekly col-
umn focusing on the books, authors and
publishers of the Pacific Northwest. Con-
tact her at barbaralmcm@gmail.com.
THIS WEEK’S BOOKS
‘Lost Fire Lookout Hikes and Histories’
by Leslie Romer
Sidekick Press – 348 pp – $22.95
ABOVE: ‘Hiking the Oregon Coast Trail’ is by Bonnie Henderson.
INSET: ‘Lost Fire Lookout Hikes and Histories’ is by Leslie Romer.
‘Hiking the Oregon Coast Trail’
by Bonnie Henderson
Mountaineers Books – 256 pp – $24.95