Gila Visitor Center to Seattle (?!)
[Follow this link to the new YouTube playlist of videos for this coast-to-coast adventure.]
If you’re seeing/hearing this update for the first time and are puzzled at how Seattle could possibly factor into a thru-hike of the Continental Divide Trail, here’s a brief explanation of what has transpired:
After completing the triple crown hikes in 2022, I researched and planned a U.S. coast-to-coast walking route for ’23, but I wasn’t sure I was ready for such a long road walk and ended up back on the AT for my first NOBO thru-hike. That went so well that I thought I’d try a second one this year and returned to the CDT, but from day one I found myself daydreaming again about that cross-country hike. To keep the long story short-ish, I’ve decided to take the plunge and attempt a coast-to-coast road walk along the northern U.S., from Seattle to New Jersey. I didn’t finalize the decision until I was approaching the Gila Visitor Center on the CDT, so when I arrived there I turned around, walked and hitched my way back to Lordsburg, NM to catch an Amtrak to L.A. and then up the coast to Seattle, to set off on this new adventure the morning of Friday, May 17th (2 days from this writing).
I’m excited for a whole bunch of reasons, including that it will be my first time attempting a long road walk, first time attempting a coast-to-coast journey, first time hiking a route completely of my own choosing and first time hiking through a bunch of new states. Walking from west to east across the U.S., the route I chose is approximately 3,070 miles and passes through Washington, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania and New Jersey. If I succeed, the six states in bold will all be new additions to the list of states I’ve thru-hiked, and I chose this route specifically to go through Spokane Valley, Washington (Wendy & home), through parts of Minnesota where family and friends live, and to hopefully avoid most larger cities.
Given the complete newness of this kind of adventure, I find myself genuinely excited at the prospect of experiencing small-town America at the speed of foot. For anyone that ends up following along, I’m anticipating a great time with lots of stories to share!
All the best!
Maxheap
Hi Mike!
Heidi, Maria and I spent the evening with Wendy tonight and I was SO excited to hear of your new plans! YOU ARE SO BRAVE! I cannot tell you how much I admire your strength, your adventurous spirit and your incredible gumption!!
I’m so excited to follow along! Buen Camino, my friend!
Lori
Hey Lori, thanks for the kind words. I’m not sure what to expect from such a trip, but I’d been wanting to try a coast-to-coast walk for a long time and figured I’d never know if I didn’t at least give it a real shot. If all goes well, we’ll see you all in a few weeks! Cheers- and say hi to Pat for me!