An old time explorer born of a dying breed, J.R. Walker’s soul belonged to the untamed forests and hidden wonders of not just the world, but especially regions of the South, Midwest, and Northeast United States. From eastern Kentucky, through West Virginia and Ohio, Walker made many expeditions deep into the backwoods and mountains. Among his favorite escapes, the Adirondack mountains of upstate New York held his deepest fascination. It was here he sought and documented the obscure and magical creatures lurking in the dense wilderness, in search of the lost folklore whispered only on the cold mountain breeze.

Walker spent the majority of his life creating an extensive catalog of the rare and mythological creatures that, to this day, still roam the Adirondacks’ foggy peaks and beyond. His explorations saw him traverse the globe in pursuit of unknown creatures, ancient myths, unexplained phenomena, relics shrouded in history, and the remnants of civilizations long past. His passion for uncovering the world’s odd and mysterious nature became his obsession.

Stories tell of weeks and months when J.R. Walker would vanish into wilderness, adopting the land, surviving with little but the pack carried on his back. Yet this old outlaw also bore the unexpected reputation of an educated and articulate gentleman, responsive to the charm of history’s whispered secrets.

Possessing an unusual predilection for witchcraft and cultist lore, Walker traversed the shadowy world of the occult like the rugged terrain of the mountains he frequented. He remained as elusive as the mysteries he chased, preferring the company of ancient trees and forgotten trails over humanity’s often intrusive glare. Many referred to him as the Northville Placid Trail Bum, mistaking him for a lost derelict. Humble and kind, he was a mirror to the obscurities he cherished…present, yet barely perceptible, like a shadow who walks amongst the pines.

Forever a silhouette against the frontier of the unknown, J.R. Walker chased the spirit of true exploration to his very end. Forever seeking the uncharted, giving life to tales of creatures and worlds that reside beyond the common eye, wild and adorned with the beauty of discovery.