The only comprehensive guide to Southern California's 69-mile Backbone Trail. The authors make this long trail accessible by dividing it into twenty day-hike segments, described in a detailed and colorful writing style with a touch of humor.

Residents and travelers will find this comprehensive guide essential to locating an amazing number of hiking trails throughout the 50-mile-long Santa Monica Mountains. The range parallels the coastline in southern California, dividing the Pacific coast from the interior valleys. Included are 138 day hikes, with an additional section of 13 hikes that traverses the full length of the 68-mile Backbone Trail. 496 pages with clear trail descriptions, ample maps, index. All hiking levels.

Discover the magic of the Santa Monica Mountains! "Consult the Santa Monica Mountains Trail Guide and just moments later you'll know where to go for a fun outdoors adventure," declares author John McKinney. "These mountain trails will uplift your spirit." Santa Monica Mountains Trail Guide is a collaboration between author John McKinney, former Los Angeles Times hiking columnist and author of 20 books about hiking and Tom Harrison, California's premier mapmaker, long admired for his easy-to-read and accurate maps of the state's parklands. The only range to bisect a major U.S. city, the Santa Monica Mountains boast a splendid scenic diversity with fine trails leading through woodlands, canyons, foothills and mountains. John McKinney's proven trail accounts, along with Tom Harrison's trusted maps will help you select-and take-a quality hike you're guaranteed to like. Santa Monica Mountains Trail Guide features: Colorful stories, clear maps, easy-to-follow directions Best hikes for waterfalls, wildflowers, mountaintop vistas Best hikes for families, friends, out-of-town guests Nature walks, moderate hikes, all-day adventures Enjoy hikes on classic trails and brand-new pathways in the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, plus all you need to know about the trails in Will Rogers, Topanga, Malibu Creek, Leo Carrillo and Point Mugu state parks. Saunter to the M*A*S*H movie and TV location near the magnificent gorge sculpted by Malibu Creek, hike a length of the majestic Backbone Trail that extends 65 miles across the mountains, chill-out at waterfalls in Temescal Canyon and Zuma Canyon, enjoy fabulous wildflower displays at Nicholas Flat and at Malibu's Charmlee Park.

The official guide to the ever-growing Bay Area Ridge Trail, a proposed 400-mile route that circles the ridgeline of the San Francisco Bay, crossing over nine counties. Five new trails and 13 more miles await discovery in this new edition, bringing the mileage of the completed Ridge Trail to 225.

The 165-mile Tahoe Rim Trail is considered one of the world's premier trails. Accessible by hikers, equestrians, skiers and mountain bikers (for the non-wilderness portions), it winds completely around spectacular Lake Tahoe, the highest and largest alpine lake in North America. The trail crosses through six counties, three national forests, and two states and was completed in 2001 largely by volunteer labor. The best-selling Tahoe Rim Trail has been revised to reflect the latest conditions and routing of the trail and includes information for over 20 miles of new trail. Updated topographic maps depict the entire route, along with the easy (and fun) to read trail directions, the book includes fascinating information on the plants and animals you'll see along the trail, plus essential advice for planning a hike on the TRT, whether it's a day's outing or a 2-week circuit of the entire lake. The first and only how-to guide to this popular trail, it is the official guidebook of the Tahoe Rim Trail Association, whose mission is to improve, maintain and promote the trail.

Imagine a 7-year-old boy asking his father if they can hike the entire Appalachian Trail, and then imagine that the father says yes.