Trail Mix
TRAIL MIX A Love Story in Every Handful Trail Mix: food, fuel, and part of the joy of hiking. I’ve eaten a lot of trail…
John McKinneyNovember 24, 2025
Trekking Poles
TREKKING POLES: Your Trusty Trail Companions (Even If They Never Say Much Back)
Take a Hike Day
Depending on who you ask, “Take A Hike Day” (November 17) is either about going for a walk in nature or telling someone to get…
John McKinneyNovember 14, 2023
Hike to the HOLLYWOOD Sign
Hike to the HOLLYWOOD Sign. Celebrate the 100th anniversary of the iconic landmark. Enjoy this fun new video HIKE TO THE HOLLYWOOD SIGN When the HOLLYWOOD…
John McKinneyJuly 1, 2023
Hike California State Parks
California State Parks offer some of the best hiking the state has to offer: Torrey Pines, Malibu Creek, Point Lobos, Calaveras Big Trees, Humboldt Redwoods…
John McKinneyJune 9, 2023
Hiking the Holy Mountain Book Trailer
While the ‘plot’ and colorful cast of Greek monks in “Hiking the Holy Mountain” seem like they came from a movie script, this is very…
John McKinneyJuly 29, 2021
Hike with Kids
"Hike with Kids will encourage countless families and children to explore the great outdoors.” —Richard Louv, Last Child in the Woods “HIKE With Kids: The…
John McKinneyJuly 16, 2021
Hiking Trails Defined
More than 30 different kinds of hiking trails offer us a chance to take a hike! Who knew?
John McKinneyJuly 8, 2021
Nine Months of Spring Hiking
Spring is the exact same length as other seasons. But wherever you live, and wherever you hike, spring is the one season that everyone agrees…
John McKinneyMarch 21, 2020
Grandparents: Take a Hike with Your Grandchildren
The wisdom that comes from age gives grandparents certain advantages in taking kids on a hike.
John McKinneyMarch 21, 2020
Ten Trail-Tested Tips for Hiking with Children
Here are my favorite Ten Trail-Tested Tips for Hiking with Children. For a more detailed discussion on the subject, take a look at my new…
John McKinneyMarch 20, 2020
Top Ten Waterfalls California State Parks
For fans of falling water, California’s state parks offer a variety of intriguing waterfalls in all shapes and sizes. The Trailmaster’s list of "Top Ten…
John McKinneyMarch 20, 2020
How to Stay on the Trail
To stay on the trail, keep your eyes open when you’re hiking. Don’t be oblivious to your surroundings, lose the trail and expect to call…
John McKinneyMarch 20, 2020
Waterfall Safety: A Waterfall is Beautiful, A Hiker Fall is Not
Increasing numbers of waterfall-bound hikers end up needing rescue and are getting injured and even killed. Remember these tips on the next hike to your…
John McKinneyMarch 20, 2020
Choosing the Best Day Pack for Hiking
A day pack (or daypack if you prefer) is a soft frameless pack that attaches to your shoulders and usually includes a hip band or…
John McKinneyMarch 17, 2020
Ten Essentials for Hikers
A Ten Essentials list was first circulated in the 1930s and has become a kind of gospel among hikers, although there are slight variations among…
John McKinneyMarch 12, 2020
Why I Like to Hike Joshua Tree National Park
Joshua Tree National Park beckons hikers with pathways leading to a diversity of desert environments, including sand dunes, native palm oases, cactus gardens and jumbles…
John McKinneyMarch 11, 2020
Cahuenga Peak and the HOLLYWOOD Sign
Wonder View Trail leads to the 1,820-foot summit of Cahuenga Peak, high point of the Hollywood Hills. The narrow and steep path (a true hiker’s…
John McKinneyMarch 10, 2020
Kinds of Hiking Trails
Kind of Hiking Trails, A Dictionary of Trails for Hikers, access trail, backcountry trail, connecting trail, destination trail, hiker-biker trail, fire road, front-country trail, long…
John McKinneyMarch 10, 2020
Choosing a Difficulty Level for Your Hike
Choosing a Difficulty Level for your hike is a key to wise hike planning. Easy? Moderate? Difficult? A trail’s degree of difficulty—also called its difficulty…
John McKinneyMarch 5, 2020
