The Wallowa Mountains, A Natural History Guide
Product Description
The Wallowa Mountains, A Natural History Guide by Keith Pohs is the first comprehensive guide to the natural history of this beautiful and unique area. The book includes seven informative sections including an introduction, and sections on climate, geology, flora, fauna, Eagle Cap Wilderness trails and an appendix that includes species lists. Overall this is a very good book and is well written, though it can be a bit wordy and cumbersome at times. Pohs is a geologist by training and the geologic story of the Wallowas is one of the most fascinating on earth. Thus that section of the book is outstanding and essential to understanding the often bizarre rocks you are on while visiting these mountains. Unfortunately much of the remainder of the book is a poor treatment of this outstanding area. Besides the geology, the flora of the Wallowas is world famous for global and regional endemic plant species and the geography that enables these occurrences. There is no mention of this topic whatsoever. The vegetative zones are only very superficially treated. Similar criticism can be leveled for the fauna section. However, the book is a worthwhile buy just for the geology and the large beautiful color photos, which are among the best I have ever seen taken of these mountains.
From the Back Cover
The Wallowa Mountains are among the most spectacular in the state of Oregon, and the story of this land of sharp peaks, lake-filled basins, rich forests, and glacially carved valleys is as fascinating as the region’s dramatic landscape. This comprehensive introduction to the natural history of the Wallowas covers for the first time the climate, geology, flora, and fauna of this exceptionally interesting and diverse mountain range. Drawing on numerous studies by notable geologists, ecologists and other scientists, as well at the author’s personal observations, this book explains in an easy-to-read manner the many natural forces which have shaped the Wallowa Country. Though focused on the Wallowas, this guide may also be useful for those interested in the natural history of the entire Blue Mountain region of Oregon and Washington as well as that of Hells Canyon and the Seven Devils Mountains of Idaho.
Product Details
List Price: $19.95
Paperback: 207 pages
Publisher: Far West Book Service (June 2003)
ISBN-10: 0967913802
ISBN-13: 978-0967913803
Images
mrh - May 12, 2007 11:50 am - Voted 4/5
Good book