Trial By Trail - by Johnny Molloy (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

Nine million visitors come to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park each year, but few, unfortunately, have time to enjoy fully the challenges and pleasures, the opportunities for reflection and inner growth, that the park's wild and beautiful backcountry offers. Trial by Trail chronicles the odyssey of one man who, over time, discovered the deeper riches to be found within the park's boundaries.

In fourteen lively personal essays, Johnny Molloy describes the adventures by which he came of age as a backpacker. Born a "flatlander" in Memphis, he first visited the Smokies while attending the University of Tennessee-Knoxville in the 1980s. Initially, he treated the park as a personal playground - a place to cut loose, break rules, and act irresponsibly. After many hiking excursions, however, he gained a more profound appreciation of the mountains, becoming an avid park volunteer intent on the protection and improvement of the area. He grew, as he puts it, both as an outdoor adventurer and as a human being.

Interwoven throughout these pieces is a wealth of Smoky Mountains lore and history along with dozens of tips for novice backpackers. Molloy's stories encompass backpacking during all four seasons as well as accounts of solo hiking, off-trail hiking, and whitewater canoeing.

About the Author

Johnny Molloy is a self-employed outdoor writer based in Johnson City, Tennessee. Johnny has authored over 85 outdoor books covering hiking, paddling, camping and true adventure. A Christian, Gideon, native Tennessean and free-market capitalist, he was born in Memphis and moved to Knoxville to attend the University of Tennessee. It was in Knoxville where he developed his love of the natural world that has since become the primary focus of his life.

It all started on a backpacking foray into the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. That first trip, though a disaster, unleashed an innate love of the outdoors that has led to his averaging over 150 nights in the wild per year, over the past 30 years, backpacking and canoe camping throughout our country. Specifically, he has spent over 850 nights in the Smokies alone, where he cultivated his woodsmanship and expertise on those lofty mountains.

After graduating from the University of Tennessee with a degree in Economics, he continued to spend an ever increasing time in the natural places, becoming more skilled in a variety of environments. Friends enjoyed his adventure stories, one even suggested he write a book. Soon he was parlaying his love of the outdoors into an occupation.

The results of his efforts are over 85 books, including more in the works. Johnny also continually works on revising and updating his guides. Many are in their 4th or 5th edition. Molloy has also written numerous articles for magazines and websites.

He continues to write to this day and travel extensively to all four corners of the United States endeavoring in a variety of outdoor pursuits.