John McKinney, Author at The TrailMaster

Tips

Hike for Good Health

Hike for good health. Millions of Americans who like to hike believe that hiking contributes to good physical and mental health. New research measures the…

John McKinneyFebruary 20, 2020

Tips

Hiking with Companions: Choose Wisely

Hikers have a broad range of abilities, interests and enthusiasms. The company they choose to keep on the trail reflects that diversity. Hiking with companions…

John McKinneyFebruary 18, 2020

TRAILS

Why I Like to Hike the Santa Monica Mountains

As a young adult I lived in the most urban section of the Santa Monica Mountains—the Hollywood Hills—and in one of the most rural parts—Topanga…

John McKinneyFebruary 11, 2020

Hiking from A to Z: A Dictionary of Words and Terms Used by Hikers

TALES

Why I Compiled a Hiker’s Dictionary

The idea for a Hiker's Dictionary came to me a few years ago when I was speaking to the annual California Recreational Trails Conference, a…

John McKinneyFebruary 7, 2020

Tips

Hiking Improves Mental Health

Hiking improves mental health and is a “stress-buster,” a recent large-scale study suggests. Researchers observed members of England’s Walking for Health program on the trail…

John McKinneyFebruary 7, 2020

TRAILS

Why I Like to Hike Point Reyes

With densely forested ridges, wild and open coastal bluffs, and deserted beaches, Point Reyes National Seashore is an unforgettable place to ramble. I’ve liked hiking…

John McKinneyJanuary 28, 2020

TALES

WALK Until You’re 99

When Abraham was 99 years old, the Lord appeared before him and said: "I am God Almighty, walk before me and be blameless." Abraham continued…

John McKinneyJanuary 25, 2020

TALES

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…

John McKinneyJanuary 23, 2020

TALES

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…

John McKinneyJanuary 18, 2020

TALES

Hike With Gratitude: Giving Thanks On the Trail

By expressing our gratitude, we can hike from feeling stressed to feeling blessed. A grateful thought toward heaven is the simplest of prayers.

John McKinneyNovember 19, 2019

Tips

Trail Sign Language

A trail sign is a board or a post of wood, metal or some kind of synthetic material that displays written, pictorial or symbolic information…

John McKinneyOctober 19, 2019

TRAILS

Runyon Canyon Park

Runyon Canyon in the Hollywood Hills is a great place to hike. And perhaps the most popular trail in L.A. By some estimates, 35 thousand…

John McKinneyOctober 10, 2019

TALES Tips

Trail Builders: Art and Science

Let 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…

John McKinneyAugust 20, 2019

TALES

WALK with Laughter

Maybe 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…

John McKinneyAugust 10, 2019

TRAILS

Why I Like to Hike Sequoia National Park

Come 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…

John McKinneyJune 5, 2019

Hiking the Holy Mountain

Hiking the Holy Mountain Gallery

After authoring thirty books about hiking, I was compelled by extraordinary events to live through—then write about—an odyssey that took me to a remote monastery…

John McKinneyMay 5, 2019

About

John McKinney Biography

John McKinney, aka The Trailmaster, is the author of a thousand articles and 30 books about hiking, including Hiking on the Edge: Dreams, Schemes and…

John McKinneyMay 1, 2019

Hiking the Holy Mountain Talks

Hiking the Holy Mountain Talk by John McKinney

Hiking the Holy Mountain a Talk by John McKinney (Keynote, adjustable length) “We can't thank you enough for your exceptional presentation. You inspired many with your…

John McKinneyMay 1, 2019