Force of Nature

Three Women Tackle the John Muir Trail

By: Joan M. Griffin

Narrated by: Anna Crowe

Three friends, women in their fifties, set out to hike "the most beautiful long-distance trail in the world," the John Muir Trail. From the outset, their adventure is complicated by self-inflicted accidents and ferocious weather, then enriched when they "adopt" a young hiker abandoned by her partner along the trail.

The women experience the terror of lightning at eleven-thousand feet, the thrill of walking through a towering waterfall, and the joy of dancing among midnight moonshadows. For a month, they live immersed in vast natural beauty, tackle the trail's physical demands, and find camaraderie among an ensemble cast of eccentric trail characters. Together, they are pulled forward toward the trail's end atop the highest peak in the High Sierra, Mt. Whitney, and the culmination of their transformative journey.

Force of Nature is equal parts gripping adventure tale, personal memoir, and vivid nature writing.

©2023 Black Rose Writing (P)2024 Black Rose Writing

Critic reviews

"Lace up your hiking boots! Let Griffin guide you over granite mountains, through thunderstorms, and wildflower-studded meadows." –Barbara Olson Lawrence, author of the forthcoming Drawing Water

Inspiring!

i was riveted from beginning to end. I was sorry to finish, but anxious to get out on the trail.

Wonderful long distance hiking story

What an inspiration to listen to this story while recovering from a total knee replacement surgery. The women’s age, grit, and determination in hiking the John Muir Trail offered me hope and encouragement to be back on the trail as soon as possible!

An inspiring and brilliantly told memoir

Joan writes a testament to the strength of women and the beauty of nature. As a 50 something woman who loves hiking but also likes a shower and bed at the end of the day, her story makes me wonder . . . Could I?

The strenght on those ladies.

Amazing book, I couldn't stop reading or listening. Highly recommended to any one that enjoy a book that grab you by your heart.

Honesty of good, bad and ugly

Truly enjoyed listening to this journey of women on the trail. What a great experience!