John McKinney is the author of 30 books about hiking, parklands and nature and loves to share the natural treasures of his native state of California. "HIKE Southern California, A Day Hiker's Guide," "HIKE Griffith Park & the Hollywood Hills," and "HIKE Santa Barbara" are among his Southern California guides. John's other guides include "HIKE San Francisco," "HIKE Point Reyes" and "HIKE Yosemite" For 18 years, McKinney, a.k.a. The Trailmaster, wrote a weekly hiking column for the Los Angeles Times and now writes articles and commentaries about nature and outdoor recreation for both print and online publications. A passionate advocate for the environment and our need to reconnect to nature, McKinney also shares his expertise on radio, TV, in the blogosphere and at www.TheTrailmaster.com. Along with co-author Cheri Rae, John McKinney has long been a staunch advocate for desert protection. Beginning in the 1980s, he worked with conservation groups to produce maps and other publications that highlighted the environmental threats facing the eastern Mojave, as well as the opportunities to preseve these scenic gems in parklands and wilderness areas. Cheri Rae and John McKinney worked to establish Mojave National Preserve and place it under National Park Service stewardship. In recognition of John McKinney's writings about the desert, the Sierra Club presented him its Media Conservation Award. John is also the author of A Walk Along Land's End: Dispatches from the Edge of California on a 1,600-mile hike from Mexico to Oregon; plus many more books about hiking, nature, and outdoors recreation for both adults and children.