Overrall a good introductory hiking guide to the San Bernardino, San Jacinto, & Santa Rosa Mtns of Southern Calfornia. Robinson's strength as a guide are his encyclopedic knowledge of local mountain history, obvious love for the topic, and first hand accounts of adventurere, including his description of ascending the "ice tongue" of Mt. San Jacinto, a trailless scramble and rock climb straight up the northern gully from the Palm Springs Aerial Tram, and a section titled, "Trails That Used to be". His weaknesses are inaccuracies in trail mileages and obtuse, at times, directions.

Most people don't think of Southern California as offering any true wilderness areas for the backpacker or adventurer; this guide proves them wrong. Isolated, Sierra Nevada-like meadows and 11,000 foot-plus summits await those willing to give these lesser mountain ranges a try. ( )