Reviewed by Samanth Tisdel Wright

FINALLLY! Finally! Finally! A comprehensive hiking guide for the Silverton area. The author of Ouray Hiking Guide and Trails Less Traveled fills a gaping niche with a fine offering that features 34 favorite hikes beginning in Silverton, Colo. Even if you’re already hooked on hiking in Silverton, you’re sure to discover a favorite new trail or two in this book. 

Although Kent isn’t a Silverton native, his love for and knowledge of the area shine through on every page, beginning in the introduction where Kent states, “If there is any apology to be made, it has to be for the apparent overuse of superlatives.” And while it is true that superlatives abound in his descriptions of the trails and scenery, they serve only to infuse the reader with the same degree of adventurous enthusiasm which Kent himself expresses for the area.

The book details each hike as to degree of difficulty, distances, timings, and other useful tidbits. There are elevation graphs, maps, descriptions of trailheads (many of the featured hikes have unmarked trailheads so this is essential information), photographs, and friendly, detailed step-by-step instructions for the hike itself. In Kent’s capable hands, you’re sure to get to your destination and enjoy yourself along the way.