Walking Down the Wild: A Journey Through the Yellowstone Rockies

by Gary Ferguson

A naturalist recounts his five-hundred-mile trek through the Yellowstone Rockies, describing feelings of solitude and the many sights and experiences

Genres: Nature, Nonfiction, Travel, Adventure, Environment

204 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1993

About the author

Nature writer, 1956-
Award-winning author Gary Ferguson has written for a variety of national publications, including Vanity Fair and the Chicago Tribune, and is the author of twenty-six books on nature and science. His memoir, The Carry Home, which the Los Angeles Times called “gorgeous, with beauty on every page,” was awarded “Best Nature book of the Year” by the Sigurd Olson Environmental Institute. Gary is the co-founder of Full Ecology, with his wife, social scientists Mary M. Clare.

Reviews

[Jaimee · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a nice story to read about backpacking through Yellowstone. Gary Ferguson describes the park in detail and tells a lot of interesting stories. However, I didn't feel like his descriptions of the landscape "grabbed me" like other authors have done. I considered the fact that it may be because I haven't been to Yellowstone, but I dismissed that idea when I thought of Desert Solitaire. I have never been to Utah either, but Edward Abbey was able to paint a very detailed picture in my mind of that area.

The other thing that bothered me is that the book is presented as "a clear-eyed vision of what's at risk in the battle over wilderness in America." I wouldn't argue that he does touch on this topic, but if this book is supposed to be a moving and shocking description over the "battle over wilderness", it most definitely missed its mark...let's just say that description is a little melodramatic. It's a good read, quick read, worth reading, just don't expect to read the story as they describe it and you'll probably enjoy it.

[Penny Ramirez · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a powerful, moving book, combining lovingly detailed descriptions of the flora and fauna of Yellowstone with the colorful history of the park's development, and the sometimes nasty politics of land developers and those who wish to harvest the many natural resources. At times wistful, at other times just genuine reveling in nature. I fear the Yellowstone I will visit this summer will be far different than that of Ferguson's hike in 1991.

[Joshua Towery · Rating 3 out of 5]

A lot of the scenery and historical information in this book is enticing me to be back on my vacation. Getting to see some of this scenery made me appreciate his fondness for this majestic place. It was a good general read of Yellowstone and the area around it.

[KathyJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having visited Yellowstone myself a couple of years ago, I am still reveling in the memories of the glorious, stunning park and all of its diversity of landform and wildlife. I wish I were able to head out on foot into the lesser hiked areas of the park as Ferguson (and, at times, his wife Jane) did, but not being able, I feel that Walking Down the Wild added much to my knowledge of the park itself, and certainly brought back many fond memories.
As an environmentalist myself, I do appreciate and am very concerned about the numerous threats to the park by special interests, especially the extraction industry, to which Ferguson speaks at length. But I was a bit disappointed by the frequent switching back and forth between description of his expedition and criticisms of those industries. All very important, of course, though, so I hesitate to complain too much. Overall, this book brought back many wonderful memories for me, and taught me a lot about the wonder, as well as the risks, of wilderness hiking.

[skye · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a pretty good book about the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem - the largest "healthy"/intact ecosystem in the lower 48, featuring the remotest place in the lower 48, as well as my new home. This book is a mix of hiking stories, environmental advocacy journalism, and detailed descriptions of flora and fauna. I found his flower descriptions a bit overdone, but flower-lovers might enjoy it. For the most part, this book didn't "grab" me like other environmental writing (Snyder, Abbey, Dillard), but it was a good intro to my new home. And a couple passages really did resonate.

[MaryAlice Herring · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even though I have been to Yellowstone many times, I have never had the opportunity to see the side of Yellowstone that Gary Ferguson tells of in this book. I lost myself in his beautiful descriptions of the forests and valleys he hiked through. I find myself adding certain hikes to my bucket list and dreaming of my next trip to Yellowstone which will be planned much differently than my prior trips!

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Written in 1993, Ferguson's 500 mile journey encircling Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons is a combination of diary, vivid description of the land, and reflections on the future of America's wild places. Much has happened since this was written, but the lessons are the same.