John McKinney, Author at The TrailMaster

TALES

Hike On Halloween: New Holiday Tradition

Hike on Halloween and start a new holiday tradition. There's likely a place in your neck of the woods that's just a little bit spooky…

John McKinneyOctober 30, 2018

TALES

Hiker Boxes: Share and Share Alike

I love the very idea of a hiker boxes, and of course the huge help they can be to the hiker who needs more food,…

John McKinneySeptember 25, 2018

TRAILS Griffith Park

Mount Hollywood Trail from Griffith Observatory

Griffith Park’s best-known hike leads to the top of 1,625-foot Mount Hollywood, the park’s premiere peak. Mount Hollywood is not the mountain crowned by the…

John McKinneySeptember 10, 2018

Tips

Hiking in Hot Weather

Hot and bothered after a mid-day hike? Well, it’s no wonder. Recent studies have shown that the optimum temperature range for long-distance walks or hikes…

John McKinneyJuly 10, 2018

Talks

Talks by John McKinney

Inspiration for the great trail we call life from speaker John McKinney aka The Trailmaster. Talks include "Getting Back on the Nature Trail" and "Hiking…

John McKinneyJanuary 30, 2018

Book News Tips

HIKE Southern California, A Day Hiker’s Guide

Discover the Best Day Hikes in Southern California! Hiking Expert John McKinney Connects Us with SoCal’s Most Inspiring Trails with His Classic Guide HIKE Southern California Hike…

John McKinneySeptember 6, 2017

The Trailmaster Blog

Lost Coast Found with New Edition of Popular Map

A new and significantly revised edition of the popular map, California’s Lost Coast is now available. Featuring black sand beaches, redwood groves, and 60 miles…

John McKinneyAugust 24, 2017

About

John McKinney: My Life as a Hiker

Excerpted from John McKinney’s The Hiker’s Way, a not-so-serious autobiography of the author's unusual career path and life on the trail.

John McKinneyAugust 22, 2017

TRAILS

Why I Like to Hike Death Valley

A bighorn sheep standing watch atop painted cliffs, sunlight and shadow playing atop the salt and soda floor, a blue-gray cascade of gravel pouring down…

John McKinneyJanuary 12, 2017

TRAILS

California’s Gold Country: Treasures for Hikers

California's Gold Country offers many treasures for the hiker. Most of the gold in California's Gold Country was mined long ago, but the wonderful scenery…

John McKinneySeptember 23, 2016

TRAILS

Mount Baldy

Devil ’s Backbone Trail: From Baldy Notch via ski lift, then to Mt. Baldy summit is 6.4 miles round trip with 2,200-foot gain; (without ski…

John McKinneyAugust 31, 2016

TRAILS HIKE California Coast

Crystal Cove State Park Bluffs

Between the Pacific Coast Highway and the wide blue Pacific, and between Laguna Beach and Newport Beach, lie the beautiful blufftops of Crystal Cove State…

John McKinneyJuly 22, 2016

TRAILS HIKE California Coast

Gold Bluffs Beach a Magnificent Part of California Coastal Trail

Wildlife-watching, waterfalls and a wilderness beach are highlights of a hike along the northern reaches of Gold Bluffs Beach in Redwood National Park. While even…

John McKinneyJuly 5, 2016

TRAILS HIKE California Coast

Tomales Bay State Park

Johnstone and Jepson Trails: From Heart’s Desire Beach to Jepson Memorial Grove is 3 miles round trip with 300-foot elevation gain; to Shell Beach is…

John McKinneyJuly 5, 2016

TRAILS

Topanga State Park

Topanga State Park is a quiet retreat, surrounded by L.A. sprawl but retaining its rural character. The state park is sometimes billed as “the largest…

John McKinneyJuly 5, 2016

TRAILS

Malibu Creek State Park

Crags Road, High Road Trails: From Main Parking Area to Century Lake is 2.8 miles round trip with 100-foot elevation gain; to M*A*S*H site is…

John McKinneyJuly 4, 2016

TRAILS

Point Reyes: All About Earthquakes

Earthquake Trail: 0.6 mile Earthquake Trail uses old photographs and other displays to explain the seismic forces unleashed by the great 1906 San Francisco earthquake.…

John McKinneyJuly 4, 2016

TRAILS HIKE California

Mt Baden-Powell

Mt. Baden-Powell Trail: From Vincent Gap to summit is 8 miles round trip with 2,800-foot elevation gain This trail and peak honor Lord Baden-Powell, a…

John McKinneyJuly 4, 2016

TRAILS HIKE California

Eaton Canyon

Eaton Canyon Trail: From the Nature Center to Eaton Falls is 3 miles round trip with 200-foot gain Late one August afternoon in 1877, John…

John McKinneyJuly 4, 2016

TRAILS HIKE California Coast HIKE California Trails

Point Reyes: Bear Valley and Arch Rock

What’s not to like about a fairly flat footpath that leads through lovely forest, across wide meadows and ends at a drop-dead gorgeous overlook above…

John McKinneyJuly 4, 2016