Hiking and Exploring Utah's San Rafael Swell

Like all of Kelsey's book they are chock full of countless routes and pictures. Just don't expect this to be an easy to follow guidebook for finding the trailhead, following a trail or clear instructions. However don't let that stop you! This book will get you inspired to find out more about the routes he describes in the book.

The information in the book, along with the photographs and diagrams, are great! We're keeping the set of three. HOWEVER, all the reviewers who dinged the book because of its legibility were correct. The typography is an abomination. There is absolutely no kerning or adequate line spacing. Ascenders and descenders nearly touch. Plus, to make matters worse, it is fully justified. And, I think we are looking at 7pt type. It is a chore to read. But, again, the information is really good.

There's a ton of useful info in this book, but it's very difficult to read. The lines of text are jammed so close together, and the choice of font and size, all combine to make it very tough to read. I'm having to use a finger to keep my eye's oriented when I come to the end of one line of text, and trying to read on to the next one. Shame on whoever laid this out!

I personally love Kelsey's guides. Be aware: if you like well-spaced type and simple formatting, his guides may give you a migraine. Kelsey packs more - and far more detailed - information onto every page than any other outdoor guide I am familiar with. He has been to where he describes, and describes it in great detail, along with many maps with clear depictions of roads, trails, etc. You will know more about that area, including every road, trail, parking spot, and hiking points of interest, than most folks who have been there. In addition, Kelsey also includes an extensive history - human and geological - of each area. The information packed into each of his guides is incredible. When I say 'packed', I mean it. Small, single-spaced type with very little white space is the only way to avoid making each of his guides 2,000 pages or so. You may need glasses or ibuprofen, but you will know about the area!

Even if you're not a canyoneer, or even a very ambitious hiker, this is a great guidebook. The local history sections are worth reading if you have any interest in the area at all, and make for some fun times when stuck in the tent in inclement weather.If you haven't experienced Kelsey's stuff before, make sure to check out some samples. The layout of the book, typography, and even idiosyncratic spelling (fotos?) would drive any fastidious copywriter, typographer or graphic artist nuts, but it is sorta a Thing. And even mentioning his name when around a campfire with locals or frequent visitors is bound to kick off a lively conversation. Every traveller in the area should have at least one Kelsey book and this is one of my faves.

I found the book to be hard to read at first. The maps have their good and bad points. Sometimes its hard to match them up with a map of the overall area. After getting used to the format I was able to glean a lot of the information that I was looking for and the price of the book was quickly offset by the huge amount of savings in time and gasoline. I'm very happy that I bought the book.

Good book with lots of information. I've only been to a couple places described here. I'm still not sure about the organization of the book- it's not intuitive to me at all, but again, I've only used it for 2 trips so far. I have noticed the maps are a little difficult to follow because there's lots of black lines that represent completely different things. Once I got used to it though, it's fine.

As a frequent visitor to Utah primarily to hike and take photos this guide is essential. No coordinates in this book but the maps are close enough and if you aren’t comfortable with that, grab a map and startup Google Earth 🌍. The print is annoyingly small but there is a ton of information jammed between the covers.

Good to have if your spending time in the area.