About the Author

Randy Johnson is a widely published authority on the Appalachian outdoors. He’s the author of the best-selling guidebooks Hiking North Carolina, Hiking the Blue Ridge Parkway (both FalconGuides), and many others. Articles and photos by this award-winning photojournalist have for decades brought the Appalachians to readers of national magazines, newspapers, and major outdoor Web sites. As editor of the country’s most award-winning airline magazine, he often focused on accessible adventure. A trail designer and builder, Randy was the founding wilderness manager at Grandfather Mountain and helped ensure the preservation of this significant North Carolina summit as a United Nations–designated biosphere reserve, and now a state park. He was a trail design consultant for the Blue Ridge Parkway’s Tanawha Trail and worked to mesh Grandfather Mountain’s then-private trails and Park Service paths into the system in place today. He’s a longtime resident of the North Carolina mountains and lives in Banner Elk. Visit www.randyjohnsonbooks.com to check out his television and radio appearances, videos, publications, and more.