A FalconGuide to Mammoth Cave National Park: A Guide to Exploring the Caves, Trails, Roads and Rivers

by Johnny Molloy

Recognized for having the largest known cave system in the world, Mammoth Cave National Park, in southwestern Kentucky, has become a destination for nearly two million recreationalists every year. A FalconGuide® to Mammoth Cave National Park covers in detail all of the above and below-ground activities in this 50,000-acre national park, including hiking, biking, scenic driving, camping, paddling, fishing, and of course, caving.

137 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2006

About the author

Johnny Molloy is a self-employed outdoor writer based in Johnson City, Tennessee. A Christian -- member of First Presbyterian Church, native Tennessean and free-market capitalist, he was born in Memphis and moved to Knoxville in 1980 to attend the University of Tennessee. It is here 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 spending over 100 nights in the wild per year, over the past 20 years, backpacking and canoe camping throughout our country and abroad. Specifically, he has spent over 650 nights in the Smokies alone, where he cultivated his woodsmanship and expertise on those lofty mountains.

In 1987, 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 44 books.

Reviews

[Chellebcool · Rating 5 out of 5]

Extremely helpful! If you plan to spend much time at the Park, take this book! I was so glad I took the book with me to the park. I took a cave tour, camped and did a lot of hiking. The directions -- both driving and trail hiking -- are extremely accurate and I'd have missed several features if I hadn't taken the book. I hiked the Sal Hallow trail from Maple Springs and took the Buffalo Trail back to Maple Springs -- about 12 miles total with my meandering. When the trail got confusing I opened the book and couldn't believe how spot on the descriptions were... with one exception. It appears the park cannot enforce the "no horses" rule on certain trails which made it very muddy and more strenuous on top of an already difficult hike. The descriptions for trails around the Visitor Center were also very accurate.