The guidebook is useful in some ways, but woefully lacking in others. The organization uses precise mileage, which is helpful in finding the features Baars mentions. The geological cross-sections are clearly diagrammed and the prose is accessible to the layman. However, the photos are poor (mostly taken under the high-angle mid-day sun) and the lack of an index is absolutely unacceptable. Once you are on the road and have found the chapter, then it is easy to follow, but it is frustrating when trying to find a specific area or topic while reading/researching at home since there is no index to refer to.
September 30, 2005

A Roadside Geology on steriods

This is another of Donald Baars' series of excellent geology books. Centered on the Four Corners, the Colorado Plateau displays some of the most varied and spectacular geology found anywhere.

To make reading and understanding easier, the author divides the Plateau into seven smaller units, e.g. the Paradox Basin. Each section begins with an explanation of its geologic history then identifies every rock formation seen along what appears to be every road that crosses it. This latter is done at a level of detail I've seen only one other place (Roadside Kansas by Buchannan and McCauley).

If you enjoy knowing just what you're looking at when you drive through this area or, like me, have a developed a hobby of collecting rock samples, this is a marvelously useful book.
June 18, 2002

SIMILAR PRODUCTS

Geology of the American Southwest: A Journey Through Two Billion Years of Plate-Tectonic History
by W. Scott Baldridge

Pages of Stone: Geology of Grand Canyon & Plateau Country National Parks & Monuments
by Halka Chronic, Lucy M. Chronic

The Colorado Plateau: A Geologic History
by Donald L. Baars

Hiking the Southwest's Geology: Four Corners Region
by Ralph Lee Hopkins

Roadside Geology of Utah (Roadside Geology Series) (Roadside Geology Series)
by Halka Chronic