off-Season Reading

[MLHSN]

Any of you guys spend a lot of time looking over maps in the winter?  Curious how many collect old maps?  I've got a number of old maps I like to look at they have been out of print at least 40-50 years.  It's interesting to see some of the old wilderness high routes that are not on current maps and try to find any remnants. 

There's a few local books I've enjoyed reading in past winters like: Mountain Air, Adventures in the Pacific Northwest, and East of the Divide.  Anyone have some similar book suggestions?

As far as maps and books, I like to spend time looking through the old Routes and Rocks book and map which is free to check out online.
http://geomaps.wr.usgs.gov/pacnw/nc/routes_rocks.html

The alpine lakes wilderness is especially close.  I like to hear some of the old accounts from Hal Sylvester.  Anyone know some other good sources of information for stories like that? 

[timberghost72]

I started reading geology of the North Cascades. Some cool stuff. Old maps are really cool to read over. I live in Granite Falls and am finding cool things exploring around. Like the old train tunnels of the long gone Monte Cristo rail. A couple of trails follow this but some areas and tunnels are an adventure to find.

http://geomaps.wr.usgs.gov/parks/noca/nocaft.html

[dreamunelk]

I started reading geology of the North Cascades. Some cool stuff. Old maps are really cool to read over. I live in Granite Falls and am finding cool things exploring around. Like the old train tunnels of the long gone Monte Cristo rail. A couple of trails follow this but some areas and tunnels are an adventure to find.

Wow!   That brought back some old memories.  Ran amuck in Robe and Verlot and all over to Barlow pass and beyond many years ago.  Many of the tunnels I found as a kid.   Lots of places to get lost up there.   I bet things have changed in thirty years!

[timberghost72]

I seen some pics and stories of around the 50's and 60's. How different it was up here even then. The small hotels with cars of that era out front in Monte Cristo.  It is all disappearing fast. If you are ever in town on a Sunday you have to go to the Granite Falls museum.

I spent all last summer hiking all up and down the Mountain Loop Highway. It is awesome to have it so close to home. This year its going to be a lot more off trail exploration. South side of Mt. Pilchuck too.