Daniel D. Chazin

This book has good informative descriptions of hiking trails around New York City up to the Catskills. There are some great detailed maps at the back with trails, topography, and landmarks.

This is a must-have for anyone hiking the Appalachian Trail (although, you'll want to have the latest version, not the 2004 version because it is updated every year with more recent information). This book tells you everything from where there are campsites to where you can mail your letters. It's set up like walking the trail. You get distances from each state line (both distances North and South of the lines) so you can calculate where to spend the night, etc.