GUIDED BY TRAILS,
GROUNDED IN NATURE
Follow John McKinney, The Trailmaster, as he shares his unique trail philosophy and the many mental, physical, and even spiritual benefits of hiking.
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EXPLORE TRAILS THROUGH
JOHN’S EYES
A curated selection of trail videos — from classic park hikes to epic coastal routes — updated regularly.
Hike California State Parks
Hiking the Holy Mountain
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Trail tales & insights
STORIES FROM THE TRAIL
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Is Hiking a Sport?
Read more: Is Hiking a Sport?Is Hiking a Sport? During my long tenure as the Los Angeles Times hiking columnist, my weekly hiking columns were published in several different parts of…
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Getting Back on the Nature Trail
Read more: Getting Back on the Nature TrailThe Trailmaster John McKinney speaks out about the many benefits of hiking and re-connecting with nature.
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Homage to Switchbacks
Read more: Homage to Switchbacks“What’s wrong with this trail?” the perspiring young sportsman in the Boston Red Sox baseball cap complains to me as I catch up with him at…
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Hike With Gratitude: Giving Thanks On the Trail
Read more: Hike With Gratitude: Giving Thanks On the TrailBy expressing our gratitude, we can hike from feeling stressed to feeling blessed. A grateful thought toward heaven is the simplest of prayers.
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Trail Sign Language
Read more: Trail Sign LanguageA trail sign is a board or a post of wood, metal or some kind of synthetic material that displays written, pictorial or symbolic information about…
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Trail Builders: Art and Science
Read more: Trail Builders: Art and ScienceLet us now acknowledge trail builders, of this generation, generations past and generations to come. Not all hikers appreciate the trail at their feet—but to my…
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WALK with Laughter
Read more: WALK with LaughterMaybe it’s the outwardly stern image of the serious exercise-walker, striding with erect posture, a jabbing arm swing, and unsmiling face that suggests walkers can’t walk…
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Why I Like to Hike Sequoia National Park
Read more: Why I Like to Hike Sequoia National ParkCome for the sequoia, stay for the Sierra. And take a hike in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. If you only drive through you’ll be disappointed:…
