El Dorado native and hiking enthusiast Jim Warnock will host a signing for his first book, Five-Star Trails: The Ozarks from 5:30 until 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 15 at the SAAC. The event will include a 20-minute discussion about trails and a slideshow at 6:30 p.m. in the Callaway Theater at SAAC.
The first 100 books that are signed will come with a bookmark featuring a photo and paw print of Hiker-dog, Warnock’s trusty black Lab and hiking companion. For every book sold, $1 will go to the Union County Animal Protection Society.
In an amazon.com review, Ronald Newton said, “I enjoy hiking and found Jim Warnock’s guidebook an excellent source for planning and making decisions about trails in the Ozarks. I have hiked some of the trails he described, but the additional information is greatly appreciated. I plan to continue making great use of the book for future adventures. Mr. Warnock displays great insights into enjoyable hiking adventures and it is certainly very evident he speaks from vast experiences in the great outdoors. I certainly appreciate his work on this publication and wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone interested in the beauty of the outdoors.”
The book features the diverse landscapes of the Ozark Mountain region in Arkansas and Missouri and contains helpful advice with detailed trail descriptions, GPS coordinates, driving directions, and topographical maps. Warnock has written numerous articles on hiking and travel for Do South Magazine and Entertainment Fort Smith. He has also written for education leadership publications at the state and national level.
Warnock said he developed a love of hiking as a child, taking day hikes with his family on camping trips and in the wooded area behind his house in El Dorado. For Warnock, hiking is not simply a hobby, but a way of life that is essential to his health and for maintaining relationships with family and friends.
His passion has linked him to like-minded friends who have hiked in Arkansas, Missouri and many western states. Warnock has made repeated treks into the Grand Canyon in Arizona, and this summer, he completed the 210-hike through the John Muir Trail in the Sierra Nevada mountain range of California. He has also thru-hiked 180 miles of the Ozark Highlands Trail stretching from Lake Fort Smith State Park to the Buffalo National River. While Warnock has an affinity for long-distance and legendary trails, he said he still relishes the and simple joys and pleasures of day hikes.
As an educator, Warnock provides a unique insight into the needs of young hikers. “Five-Star Trails” offers perspective for the experienced outdoors-person who is seeking a challenge and the novice or young hiker who can benefit from shorter hikes that hold interest and provide new learning experiences.
Warnock sits on the board of directors for the Ozark Highlands Trail Association and maintains membership with the Ozark Trail Association in Missouri. He has adopted a four-mile section of the Ozark Highlands Trail between Jack Creek and Dockery Gap.
Warnock is the principal of Alma Intermediate School in Alma. He previously served as principal of Yocum Elementary School, band director of Rogers Junior High School (now Washington Middle School) and El Dorado High School.
When not hiking or writing about trails, Warnock enjoys photography, blogging and drumming. He and Hiker-dog hike daily on the Lake Alma Trail. In addition to being available on amazon.com, books will be available for purchase for $15 at the signing.
Follow their outdoor adventures at ozarkmountainhiker.com.