"Why are you hiking the John Muir Trail solo?""You've never backpacked before, how are you going to hike the entire John Muir Trail?"These were the two most common questions that Christy was asked by her coworkers in Corporate America. They were legitimate questions. Christy couldn't put into words the reason she needed to hike more than 220 miles in the California High Sierra Mountains, but her gut told her that she needed to. After spending six months preparing by hiking, reading books, and watching documentaries, Christy began hiking the world-famous trail on August 31, 2016, southbound. Throughout her journey, Christy encountered dry creek beds, making a wrong turn, a hail storm, freezing temperatures, trail friends, incredible views, and experiences that would change her life. Hiking over ten mountain passes gave Christy a lot of time to think about her nine-year marriage that was falling apart, gave her time to make new friends, and gave her the strength she needed off the trail. This is one woman's account of the three weeks she spent on the iconic trail.

"Experienced outdoor enthusiasts and those lacing-up their boots for their first time: prepare to hike the diverse American landscape. Whether aiming to conquer epic expeditions, or simply complete a day hike to recharge, paths of every size await the intrepid wayfarer in Wanderlust USA, a book that serves as a blueprint for adventurous souls in search of new summits."--Amazon.com

The Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail (PCT) traces a 2,650-mile route from the California-Mexico border north to the border of Washington and Canada. While many hikers attempt a “thru-hike” every year, beginning in Campo, California and connecting their footsteps all the way to Manning Park, B.C., even more people enjoy “section hiking” – tackling the trail in bits and pieces. This guidebook serves as a road map to section hiking the Southern California portion of the PCT, beginning at its southern terminus in Campo and ending 942.5 miles north at Tuolumne Meadows in Yosemite National Park. From the magical cactus gardens of the Mojave Desert to the snowy peaks of the High Sierra, this book covers one of the most biologically and geologically diverse portions of the PCT. Author Shawnté Salabert serves as your personal trail guide along the way, offering informative route descriptions, interesting sidebars, and colorful stories that will deepen your experience on this iconic trail, whether you’re headed out for a weekend, a week, or a month. Each volume of this new series focuses on section-by-section pieces of the PCT and includes the following features: • Inspirational full-color guides with over 150 color photographs in each • Trail sections of 4- to 10-night trips • Detailed camp-to-camp route descriptions • Easy-to-understand route maps and elevation profiles • Details on specific campsites and most-reliable water sources • Road access to and from various trail sections • Info on permits, hazards, restrictions, and more • Alternate routes and connecting trails • Clear references to the PCT’s established system of section letters, designating trail segments from Mexico to Canada—so you can easily cross-reference the guides with other PCT resources • Key wilderness sights along the way • Suggested itineraries *Download an errata for Hiking the PCT: Southern California for a profile fix here*

In Whistler's Way, Bill Monk's second and much-anticipated book, the intrepid 60 year-old tackles the wildly gorgeous Pacific Crest Trail, 2,653 miles from the Mexican border to British Columbia, from sea level to a nosebleed-inducing 13,153 feet, a truly life-changing trek. Bill brings readers along on his epic journey, describing every detail of five long months filled with breathtaking views, heart-stopping danger, and unrelenting adventure, testing his physical and mental stamina to the limit. Readers will be delighted that he is joined by his friend Scooby for the first couple of months. People who have hiked or plan on hiking the Pacific Crest Trail, lovers of nature, and those who want know what it's like to accomplish a seemingly insurmountable goal will relish this uplifting story, which paints a magnificent portrait of the outdoors and what it's like to fully immerse oneself in nature's glorious, awe-inspiring, and occasionally very challenging beauty.

Get the most out of life-on and off the trail. Whether your dream is escaping the rat race, hiking trails near and far, reconnecting with nature or just learning more about the fine art of hiking, this book will show you the way. 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." Forget the old concept of hiking as a march from Point A to Point B. Hiking doesn't have to be so hard. It really doesn't. John has spent more than three decades learning how to get the most out of time on the trail. 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; how to 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. The author of 20 books and a thousand articles about hiking, McKinney has hiked and written about the best trails all across America, as well as in Europe and many more locales from Carribbean nations to Pacific islands. He's guided hikes all around his native California and trained hike leaders to teach beginners the joys of hiking and the basics of safety on the trail. In The Hiker's Way, he shares his trail wisdom and colorful stories in a very inspiring and entertaining way. This book is a great gift for that special hiker-or would-be hiker-in your life.

Hiking From Home: A Long-Distance Hiking Guide for Family and Friends is an informative guide for those supporting a long-distance hiker. It explains the basics of long-distance hiking, addresses safety concerns, outlines ways to stay in touch and remain supportive, and includes quotes from previous hikers and supporters.

The author's account of his four-month hike in 1948 of the entire length of the Appalachian Trail.

A guidebook for hikers, bikers, and equestrians, Hiking from Portland to the Coast explores the many trails and logging roads that crisscross the northern portion of Oregon's Coast Range. Designed to showcase convenient "looped" routes, it also describes complete throughways connecting Portland to the coastal communities of Seaside and Tillamook. Each of the 30 trails described includes a backstory to help users appreciate the history and significance of the places through which they are traveling.

Whether it be through far-flung deserts, luxuriant forests or majestic alpine terrain, when we choose to walk rather than fly or drive, something wonderful happens: our awareness and appreciation of the natural world begins to grow. It can be the faint sound of a gently meandering stream, the distinct smell of decaying leaves on a crisp autumn morning, or even a bowl of cereal that never tasted better than when eaten on a mountaintop at sunrise. Whatever your hiking dreams and goals may be, this book will inspire you to plan and realize your your journeys.