There are multiple wonderful things that Douglas Lorain brings to his book. Good descriptions and beautiful photography are crucial to any guidebook, and they’re plentiful here. Toss in a little attitude, and you have a guidebook that strives to give you the lowdown truthfully, not simply to fill pages.

Mr. Lorain is an unabashed fan of Glacier National Park, telling you right from the start of this section that, “With over 700 miles of world-class trails and unlimited off-trail possibilities, Glacier tops almost every list of America’s best parks for hikers and backpackers. And how could it not? I mean no offense to Great Smoky Mountains, Yosemite, Olympic, Grand Canyon, or any of the other contenders, but you’re just vying for second place.”

Regardless of whether you accept that, this book’s section on Glacier is a stout resource if you’re thinking of exploring the park on foot, preferably with pack on your back. The author goes big with his first selection, a 25- mile round-trip hike to Boulder Pass. Part of the beauty of this journey, in addition to the scenery, of course, is the two crossings of the U.S.-Canada border that require you to pack your passport. And he’s not ashamed to warn you of the “often-buggy Waterton River Camp,” or the “infamously mosquito infested” Boulder Pass.

But Mr. Lorain also points you to an overnight at the Lake Francis Camp, which offers “nice views of a tall veil-like waterfall dropping from the cliffs of The Sentinel to the south.”

Elsewhere in the Glacier section, he’s bullish on the 52-mile (or 64, with side trips), Northern Loop that he ventures just might be the best backpacking jaunt in Glacier. “There are stupendous views of glacier-clad mountains, sparkling lakes in every shape and size, and wonderfully scenic high passes and low forested valleys, tall waterfalls and even taller cliffs, abundant wildlife and wildflower-covered meadows, and even several excellent side trips to still more wonders.”

If you’re planning a trek, or a return, to Montana and Glacier National Park, this book is a strong resource. And once you’re done exploring the baker’s dozen hikes in the park detailed by the author, there are hundreds of miles of other trails in the Treasure State that Mr. Lorain will guide you down.