• Above-ground graves resembling small, outdoor ovens furnished the name for the Mariposa County village of Hornitos. Hornitos is a Spanish word that means “little ovens.”• In 1885, Alexander Kirkwood founded a hotel called Rattlesnake House in Tuolumne County. After his death, Mrs. Kirkwood remarried a fellow named William Priest. The hotel was generally called Priest’s Station after that and the locality is still known as Priest.• The community of Groveland was once calle...

The first fly fishing guide to cover the entire region! The state's top waters: Cimarron River, Costilla Creek, Embudo Area, Gila River, Gila “West”, High Alpine Lakes, Jemez Mountains, Jicarilla Lakes, Mid-elevation Lakes, Pecos River, Red River Upper, Red River Lower, Rio Chama Upper, Rio Chama Lower, Rio de los Pinos, Rio Grande Upper, Rio Grande Lower, Rio Peñasco, Rio Vallecitos, San Juan River, Taos Area, Valles Caldera National Preserve. Learn all about the popular and secluded fly ...

     • The name Rancho Cucamonga, derived from an Indian word, suffered a number of bizarre spellings by early Americans including, Coco Mongo Ranch, Cocomouga’s Ranch, Qui-qual-mun-go Ranch, Kikal Mungo ranch and Rancho Cocoa-Mungo.      • A place called Indian Wells, about eight miles south and a little west of Seeley was a station on the Butterfield Overland stage route. It was destroyed by the flood of 1906. The town of Seeley was named f...

The American Bird Conservancy Guide to the 500 Most Important Bird Areas in the United States offers both bird enthusiasts and conservationists specialized information never before compiled in a single comprehensive volume.This expert resource organizes the United States into 36 ornithologically distinct bird regions, then identifies and describes the 500 sites within these regions. Each site entry includes ornithological highlights, ownership information,...

[CLICK HERE to download three sample waterfall hike sections from Waterfall Lover's Guide Pacific Northwest]CLICK HERE_ to download three sample waterfall hike sections from Waterfall Lover_s Guide Pacific Northwest* At-a-glance table for selecting waterfalls by scenic rating, form, how to access, best season to go, and defining characteristics* 70 all-new waterfal...

30 maps for waters, hatch charts, and illustrations detail Central Oregon fly fishing waters. Author Harry Teel, a retired outfitter, has more than 60 years of Oregon fly-fishing experience. The famous Deschutes river, a new Steelhead section, remote lakes, private waters, the Metolius, McKenzie, John Day and Williamson rivers, plus less crowded waters like the Crooked, Malheur, Ana, mountain lakes and more. The best fly fishing in this popular region. Full color photographs, color maps, i...

• The Federal Writers’ Project named an area three miles south-southeast of Stovepipe Wells in Death Valley the Devil’s Cornfield because the arrowweed growing there resembled shocks of corn tied about the middle.• The Devil’s Golf Course got its name because it was thought that only a fiend could play golf on the rough surface of crystallized salt at the place.• Lost Cannon Creek owes its name to the local legend that a cannon left by John C. Fremont was discovered in the ...

The Pacific Crest Trail was designated as one of the first National Scenic Trails way back in 1968. As it traverses the "high road" from Mexico to Canada, incredible views are not only commonplace but also uniquely diverse, because the trail connects six of North America's seven eco-zones. The PCT's familiar, well-worn path is a special place for hikers from all walks of life on walks of all lengths and for all reasons.Instead of guiding you through the arduous task of hiking the e...

The Creaky Knees Guide Arizona is a hiking guidebook filled with kinder, gentler trails. Here are 80 of the best easy-to-walk hikes throughout the state.Created for anyone who--regardless of age--can't or doesn't want to hike great distances over rough terrain to gain beautiful vistas and enjoy the wilderness. Most are day hikes, but there are a handful of backpack trips worthy of theCreaky Knees stamp of approval.Trails are divided into regions: G...

**Please note we have a few edits and updates for THE HIGH SIERRA: Peaks, Passes, Trails, 3rd Ed. Please download the edits HERE so your copy reflects the appropriate changes and additions. Thank you.**"The Sierra climbing bible" - The Los Angeles Times"The best field guide to the region." - Men's Journal"The guide to the Sierr...

• The pueblo that became the city was established in 1781 as “El Pueblo de Nuestra Señora la Reina de los Angeles de la Porciuncula.” A hill located less than 1,000 feet from Los Angeles city hall was used as a base during the first American occupation of Los Angeles in 1846. Lieutenant Davidson built Fort Moore there in 1847 and named it to honor Captain Benjamin D. Moore, who was killed in battle at San Pasqual in 1846.• Ventura County’s Pitas Point gets its name from los pitos w...

Honorable Mention, Southern Books Competition, 1999Known to many as "the butterflies of the bird world," wood warblers allure even the most experienced and discriminating birders. Their annual migrations to and from nesting areas in the United States and Canada draw thousands of birders to places such as High Island, Texas; Crane Creek, Ohio; and Point Pelee, Ontario, where warblers stop to rest and feed during the long journey. There birders have a chance to see a...