John McKinney motivates and empowers, amuses and uplifts hikers on this amazing path we call life. The Hiker’s Way illuminates the way to:

Hike Smart. Learn how to prepare for a hike and master practicalities in a way that you’ll remember them.

Live Well. Gain the benefits of good health, physical- mental-spiritual rejuvenation.

Go Green. Learn the hiker’s way to re-connect with nature and get all the benefits of “green exercise.”

Join John McKinney, a.k.a. The Trailmaster, as he teaches you:
• What the crucial difference is between going on a hike and becoming a hiker.
• How to choose gear—and adopt a gear philosophy—that’s right for you.
• How hiking in nature improves health; go from feeling stressed to feeling blessed.
• What makes a good hiking companion and when it’s okay to go it alone.
• How to appreciate each season, and hike safely over all kinds of terrain.

Reviews:
“Highly practical and spiritual, as well as a fun and enjoyable read.”
—Carl Pope, Executive Director, Sierra Club

“This book is a masterpiece, a must read for anyone who has ever thought of putting on a pair of boots and hitting the trail!” 
–Gene and Jo Ann Taylor, owners, The Walking Connection

“Hiking nourishes the soul, exhilarates the senses, and allows a moment’s rest amidst a frenetic day; John McKinney illuminates the pure joy of hiking.” 
–Laurel House, co-author, The Guru’s Guide to Serenity.

For 18 years as the Los Angeles Times hiking columnist, John McKinney roamed the Southland and each week reported on a favorite hike. Readers loved learning about the region’s intriguing trails and parklands. And they loved John’s nature notes, colorful stories, step-by-step directions and clear maps.

This trio of guidebooks collects the best hikes, both reader favorites and John’s top picks. Each book is The Trailmaster’s special mix of time-honored classics and new trails in new parklands. And each volume features an array of outings from easy to challenging: nature trails, moderate hikes, all-day adventures.

Southern California, A Day Hiker’s Guide is sometimes referred to as the “Greatest Hits” collection. The latest edition of this regional best-seller includes 150 of the author’s favorite hikes in SoCal’s most engaging natural areas from San Diego to Santa Barbara. John’s trail write-ups will soon have you putting on your hiking boots and heading out to hike the forests, mountains, deserts and shorelines he describes so well.

Los Angeles County, A Day Hiker’s Guide reveals the green spaces and tranquil places of Los Angeles that are closer—and more accessible—than most people know. This guide gives comprehensive coverage to the San Gabriel Mountains (both the front country and deeper into Angeles National Forest) and the Santa Monica Mountains. Plus hikes in the Verdugo Mountains, Hollywood Hills, Griffith Park, and along some surprisingly tranquil beaches.

Orange County, A Day Hiker’s Guide explores the surprising array of outdoor wonders of an area better known for its theme parks than its nature parks. (Trailmaster John McKinney has been working for years to change that perception—at least among hikers!) This guide details more than 100 great hikes in OC’s regional parks, wilderness parks, national forest and state parklands.

Reviews
“When John McKinney says ‘Take a hike,’ you know it will be a good one.”
–Larry Mantle, Host, KPCC AIRTALK

“The Golden Era of Hiking” ended in the 1930s. But it may be reborn. Almost single-handedly, John McKinney is trying to revitalize the tradition with his books devoted to hiking trails. 
–Pasadena Star-News

“McKinney’s guides are well worth their price and their reader’s close attention, More than just roadmaps to a trailhead, his guides provide historical, geographical and ecological detail about the places you’ll visit. Enjoy!”
–Adventure 16 Footprints

Discover California’s Magnificent State Parks!

John McKinney is one of only two people to have visited every single California state park (278 at last count) and is the Golden State’s expert on the best trails to take. In this guide, the author describes hiking adventures in 150 California parks, preserves, beaches and historic sites.

The Trailmaster presents a variety of hikes in mountain, forest and coastal parks, and offers options for the hiker to select hikes of varying distances and degrees of difficulty.

Includes: Humbolt Redwoods, Sinkyone Wilderness, Emerald Bay, Jack London, Angel Island, Calaveras Big Trees, Point Lobos, Pfeiffer Big Sur, Malibu Creek, Mt. San Jacinto, Anza-Borrego Desert, Torrey Pines and more. Plus nature notes, park history, and an overview of the California State Park system, the most diverse in the U.S.

Reviews:
“Essential for every California hiker. A tour de force of the state’s best trails.” Elizabeth Goldstein, Executive Director, 
California State Parks Foundation

Orange County, A Day Hiker’s Guide explores the surprising array of outdoor wonders of an area better known for its theme parks than its nature parks.

Explore the wild side of Orange County in this enticing collection of parks and preserves in the second-most populous county in California—which is also the second-most biologically diverse, with its amazing variety of flowering plants and birdlife.

Discover hikes on classic trails and brand-new pathways in OC’s remarkable system of regional and wilderness parks, as well as national forest and state parklands. Saunter the Laguna Hills, Santa Ana Mountains, Crystal Cove State Park and the Anaheim Hills, and enjoy the best beach hikes from San Clemente to Bolsa Chica. Also includes the finest hikes in adjacent Riverside County!

• Colorful stories, clear maps, easy-to-follow directions
• Best hikes for waterfalls, wildflowers, mountaintop vistas
• Best hikes for families, romance, out-of-town guests
• Nature walks, moderate hikes, all-day adventures

Reviews
“The Trailmaster’s best trails, splendidly detailed, from Orange County’s nature preserves to the forests and mountains.” 
–Will Swaim, former editor, OC Weekly

Features 150 of the author’s favorite hikes in Southern California’s still pristine and wild areas from San Diego to Santa Barbara, from the Channel Islands to the desert sands—and points in between.

Hikers of every level will appreciate this eclectic mix of hikes, including time-tested classics, personal and reader favorites, new trails in new parklands, and more than a few surprises in this updated version of his popular guide.

All you need to know about hikes in the Santa Monica Mountains, San Gabriel Mountains, San Bernardino Mountains, San Jacinto Mountains, and Joshua Tree National Park. Plus the best trails on Catalina Island, around Santa Barbara and Palm Springs.

“There’s never been a better time to escape the stresses of modern life and enjoy the blessings of nature in Southern California’s big backyard,” declares McKinney. “My hope is that hikers of all ages and abilities will be inspired to enjoy the pleasures of the great outdoors.

• Colorful stories, clear maps, easy-to-follow directions
• Best hikes for waterfalls, wildflowers, mountaintop vistas
• Best hikes for families, romance, out-of-town guests
• Nature walks, moderate hikes, all-day adventures

Reviews
“A Southern California classic.”
—Los Angeles Times

“Good directions, clear maps, colorful histories and descriptions.” 
—Sunset Magazine

“Put this on your guidebook shelf and you should have no trouble finding a wonderful place to hike from Santa Barbara south to the U.S./Mexican border. Good maps.” 
—Books of the Southwest

“The combination of McKinney’s writing skills and high quality production of Olympus Press of Santa Barbara has produced a book we can enthusiastically recommend.” 
—Santa Barbara News Press

“Consult the Santa Monica Mountains Trail Guide and just moments later you’ll know where to go for a fun outdoors adventure,” declares author John McKinney. “These mountain trails will uplift your spirit.”

Santa Monica Mountains Trail Guide is a collaboration between author John McKinney, former Los Angeles Times hiking columnist and author of 20 books about hiking and Tom Harrison, California’s premier mapmaker, long admired for his easy-to-read and accurate maps of the state’s parklands.

The only range to bisect a major U.S. city, the Santa Monica Mountains boast a splendid scenic diversity with fine trails leading through woodlands, canyons, foothills and mountains. John McKinney’s proven trail accounts, along with Tom Harrison’s trusted maps will help you select—and take—a quality hike you’re guaranteed to like.

Santa Monica Mountains Trail Guide features:
• Colorful stories, clear maps, easy-to-follow directions
• Best hikes for waterfalls, wildflowers, mountaintop vistas
• Best hikes for families, friends, out-of-town guests
• Nature walks, moderate hikes, all-day adventures

Enjoy hikes on classic trails and brand-new pathways in the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, plus all you need to know about the trails in Will Rogers, Topanga, Malibu Creek, Leo Carrillo and Point Mugu state parks.

Saunter to the M*A*S*H movie and TV location near the magnificent gorge sculpted by Malibu Creek, hike a length of the majestic Backbone Trail that extends 65 miles across the mountains, chill-out at waterfalls in Temescal Canyon and Zuma Canyon, enjoy fabulous wildflower displays at Nicholas Flat and at Malibu’s Charmlee Park.

Explore the wonders of Hole-in-the-Wall, the Mojave River, Kelso Dunes and Mitchell Caverns. Tour the world’s largest Joshua tree forest. Follow paths of history to Fort Piute, Kelso Depot, Nipton, Goffs and Zzyzx. Hike the enchanted canyons and intriguing summits of a dozen mountain ranges. Get your kicks on old Route 66.

“Mojave National Preserve: A Visitor’s Guide is a key resource to begin your exploration and to plan each follow-up visit,” notes park superintendent Dennis Schramm in his introduction to the new edition of the book. “Authors Cheri Rae and John McKinney know the Preserve and all of its wonders, and their guidebook will help you discover them for yourself.”

Updated and revised in close cooperation with the National Park Service, this book, the only comprehensive guide to Mojave National Preserve, offers a great introduction to this wondrous desert land and plenty of suggestions for follow-up visits.

• Engaging auto tours, great hikes, clear maps and directions
• Get to know the land—its plants, wildlife, mountains and valleys
• Visit mining towns, cinder cones and a visitor center/train depot
• Discover the best hiking trails, picnic sites, campsites, and lodging

Reviews:
“A lively and detailed description of attractions, habitats and issues.”
—Sunset Magazine
“A wonderful concentration of mining, history, exploration, desert flora/fauna, mountains and everything that makes a desert a desert. Great guide.”
—Books of the Southwest

John McKinney has visited all 278 California State Parks and delights in sharing their often undiscovered natural attractions. He works closely with the California State Parks Foundation to protect and advocate for state parks.

John has walked the length of the California coast and written both the acclaimed narrative, A Walk Along Land’s End, and a guidebook to the best coastal hikes. He’s also hiked extensively in all 20 of California’s national parks, preserves and recreation areas.

California’s State Parks, A Day Hiker’s Guide
Hiking adventures in 150 state parks, preserves, beaches, wilderness areas and historic sites. Watch 3,000 pound elephant seals at Ano Nuevo State Reserve; roam among giant redwoods at Humboldt Redwoods State Park; explore the sites where so many movies and TV shows were filmed at Malibu Creek State Park; discover for yourself where the Gold Rush began at Marshall Gold Discovery State Park.

California’s National Parks, A Day Hiker’s Guide
From the foggy shores of Point Reyes National Seashore to the dramatic Yosemite Valley, from the Santa Monica Mountain National Recreation Area near Los Angeles to the tallest trees on earth in Redwood National Park, California’s astonishing natural diversity is preserved 20 national parklands. Trailmaster John McKinney presents 150 day hikes in all 20 of California’s national parklands, including Sequoia, Joshua Tree, Lassen, Muir Woods, Death Valley and Channel Islands.

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California’s Coastal Parks, A Day Hiker’s Guide
Lively descriptions of the 150 best spots for hiking on the coast—between the border of Mexico and the Oregon state line—including state beaches, national parks, historic sites and wilderness areas. Watch surfers catch waves at Corona del Mar Beach, explore the redwood forests and rocky coast of Big Sur, stroll San Francisco’s historic Presidio, and enjoy the sand spits and wetlands of Morro Bay.
“An ideal companion for a drive along Highway 1. You’ll find a wealth of information about where to hike and what to see. After reading it, you’ll feel a little closer to the edge of the continent.”
—The Sierra Club Southern Sierra
“More than a compendium of hikes. Packed with intriguing stories about the history of towns, harbors, beaches and parks.”
—Sunset Magazine

Reviews
There are many ways to travel California. The best way is to walk, with hiking expert John McKinney as your guide.”
–Kevin Starr, California State Librarian Emeritus

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Commissioned by the California Coastal Trails Foundation to map out a continuous trail along the Golden State’s coastline and through coastal mountains, John McKinney, The Trailmaster, walked from the Mexican border all the way to Santa Barbara before he quit the job—but not the journey. He kept on walking, this time for the sheer adventure of experiencing the contradictions of California.

What he discovered was a magnificent borderland that separates the restless civilization from the restless sea. What he learned was that Americans spend too much time building this country, and too little time knowing it. What he gained was a deeper, more spiritual appreciation or a coast—and a country—desperately in need of a new land ethic.

This is an exulting, reflective, and often humorous narrative of the ponderings and perceptions of a naturalist-turned sociologist on a highly personal, long-distance trek. Share the adventure—with McKinney as your guide—into the soul of one of the most strikingly beautiful and historically significant coastlines on the face of the earth.

Originally published in hardcover by Harper-Collins in 1995, this re-publication includes chapters and passages not found in the original volume.

Reviews:

“He walked the entire thing, from Border Field State Park in San Diego County to Pelican Beach on the Oregon border. The inveterate walker and environmental activist recounts the journey in all of its adventure and absurdity.”
—San Diego Tribune

“A book for the true adventurer.” 
–-San Jose Mercury News

“John McKinney sprinkles a lot of pepper into the salt air when he describes the state’s far-flung seashore. Passionate, heartfelt prose.” 
–-Santa Barbara News-Press

“Immediate in its impact. The environmentally-minded trailblazer hikes the entire California coastline, tossing out barbs against corporations, developers and government agencies as frequently as he pushes aside recalcitrant manzanita bushes and dodges poison oak.” 
–-Kirkus Reviews

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Trailmaster Store, also Available at Amazon, Kindle, B&N Nook, Apple Store.