John Kratz grew up in Pocatello, Idaho, exploring the mountains that surround this small western city. He was first introduced to hiking by his parents who took him and his three siblings on frequent trips to Yellowstone Park and central Idaho. At these locations, John's first hiking memories were made and they left a lasting impression. Beyond the borders of the state of Idaho, John continued to make hiking one of his greatest passions. Trips into the mountains of Alaska, Wyoming, New York, Oregon, Costa Rica, Argentina, Chile, Peru, Spain, and Morocco further fueled his desire to put trail miles under his belt and spend time in the outdoors. When John and his wife Lindsey moved to Missoula, Montana, they immediately began to hit the trails in Big Sky Country. The author currently works as a Spanish-immersion teacher at the Missoula International School and performs as a musician in his own original group, Benevolent Linden. Hiking Waterfalls in Montana is John's first published hiking guide.