Best desert hikes, Washington

* Prime hiking for fall, winter, and spring
* Organized by quick access from Spokane, the TriCities, Yakima-Ellensburg, and Wenatchee-Chelan
* 100 hikes, from short half-day trips (1-5 miles) to overnighters

If you're used to tight, tree-lined trails through (often-dripping) evergreens, it's time for a guidebook to an entirely different world: the high desert of central and eastern Washington. It's desert, yes -- but not the Lawrence of Arabia kind. This landscape of sagebrush and rimrock canyons is starkly beautiful and rich in plant and animal life. It offers mild temperatures in fall, prime wildlife viewing in winter, and an explosion of wildflowers in spring.

Best Desert Hikes: Washington is a great way to extend your hiking through three-seasons -- a Hikes at a Glance chart in the front of the book lists best time to go for each trail. Some of these hikes follow designated trails; others guide you along the contours of the land for a more individual experience. There are tips on hiking in desert conditions, too.