I’m from Texas, but have some family that lives in Colorado. I am the youngest of 4 children, and a couple years ago we started to tackle hiking the Colorado Trail a few segments at a time. With one year all hiking together last year, our goal is to continue on each year until it is completed. Unfortunately since our first year hiking together, one sibling has fought breast cancer, another had to have an unexpected hysterectomy, and two of us mild to severe back issues. But we will continue on with it. Having had 3 spine surgeries and knee surgery before the age of 33, for myself this accomplishment will be proof that inner strength can overpower physical limitations. And over the last year, that has become a reality for the other members of my family too.
Welcome, please, introduce yourself
Hello folks. Ken here.
I consider myself so far a “walker.” Sometimes I dabble in “hiking,” to a degree, so I’ve come here to check out the conversations—hoping to pick up tips and whatnot.
I see from the intros that there are many serious hikers here—more power to ya!
Maybe I’ll see ya’s on a trail someday, blowing by me and my old raggedy self! Don’t worry – I’ll keep it in the slow lane!
Hi, Im jane. Keeping a trail journal of the TA in NZ. Me and hubby starting out in October 2018.
Hello everyone! I’m William! (or Will both work for me). I’m new to this community,I reside in South Carolina and I’m an avid Hiker and Backpacker, haven’t actually been camping(other than when i a Kid and in the boyscouts) yet but I will be soon. In the next few years i’ll be doing a Thru-Hike of the AT, but for now im saving up money, getting myself in peak shape and gathering the necessary gear!
Hope to meet you all out on a trail someday!
Hi all!
My trail name is Bubbletoes and I will be setting out on the AT March 1st, 2019, NOBO. I’ll be hiking sections by myself/with trail buddies, as well as some parts with friends and family. I hope reach Katahdin in time to go to college in mid-August 2019. I am currently taking a gap year before continuing school. If any non-creeps are looking for a hiking buddy starting March 1st, hit me up!
I’m researching a ton, but of course advice is welcomed. I have backpacking experience but nothing longer than 3.5 weeks and with a large group.
Thanks guys and happy traveling!
Hi Hooshr! I’m curious: how snowy was it in early March? I’m thinking of starting March 1st. Do you think I’d be able to stick to my goal of an average 15 miles a day for the first month or two if I start in GA, or do you think the weather would be too harsh? Also, how big of a deal are bears on the trail? Do I have to worry every night?
I started March 9 and encountered a little snow in North Carolina and temperatures in the teens a few nights. However, every year is different and you should be prepared for snow and low temps with an early March start. Also, be prepared to get off trail if conditions warrant. I averaged 14 miles a day for my thru hike, but recommend you start slowly and let your body get accustomed to hiking everyday and carrying a pack that weighs 25 -30 lbs. 15 miles a day early on may be aggressive. I did not encounter any bear issues, but used available bear poles and boxes when available. It seems bear encounters are increasing, just be smart with your food and store it correctly. I never ate in my tent and always tried to eat well away from sleeping area, My biggest worry was not bears, instead it was ticks. I treated all my clothing and other items with Permethrin and used 100% DEET spray on my flesh as I got into Tick territory.
Hope this helps.
Jim Beeson
“Hooshr”
I enjoy the whole experience of hiking distance trail, in spring and fall seasons. From the planning to gear selection, to seeing terrain , not imagined. Done sections of the AT, CDT, North Country Trail, and the entire Colorado Trail as a thru hike. My feet, knees, hips are the limiting factor now, but I keep at. Go by the Trail Name W2
Hello. I am a backpacker from Virginia. I haven’t through hiked any trail but have section hiked the AT, CDT, and Superior. I try to do a minimum of five trips a year. In 2019 I will visit Colorado, South Dakota, and Minnesota. I will also get some trail time in my home state along with the sister states of WV and NC. I found this forum mentioned in Backpacking Light so thought I would check it out.
Hi everyone. I’m a beginning artist and a writer with PTSD and anxiety interested in backpacking though haven’t hiked since I was a kid. I’m from the Midwest and interested in starting with my state long distance trails.
Hey! My name is Crimson Yeti and I have a passion for backpacking. I recently moved from North Carolina to Colorado in the summer of 2018. I have been backpacking the past 5 years and I absolutely love it! I have hiked sections of the AT in North Carolina and Virginia and have already done a couple of backing trips here in Colorado in the Indian Peeks Wilderness.
I am planning to hike a section of the Colorado Trail in 2019. I only have a week off to hike this trail so my plan at the moment is to hike Segments 1-7. This will be the longest hike I’ve completed in one trip and was hoping to get some advice from this forum to help in planning for this trip, specifically shuttles (i.e. how to get back to Waterton Canyon Trailhead from Highway 91 at Copper Mountain Resort).
I look forward to visiting this site and reading people’s posts about their experience on the Colorado Trail with the hopes of being the best prepared that I can for this trip. I am also looking for other hikers to join me as I am solo backpacking at the moment but trying to convince others to hike 120 miles over 6 days period of time!
hello my name is liz im looking forward to backpacking this summer as i live in the hudson valley of new york close to the catskills and the adirondacks and i would like to thru hike the cranberry lake 50 in the dacks if i could find someone to do it with.
Hi everyone, Im lostandneedtowander, I am here to learn new things and possibly pass on the knowledge that ive gained with others. I look forward to learning this forum and hope to be a good contributor
My husband and I are planning a flip flop hike starting in April 2020. Reading and watching everything we can to help prepare! It is fun getting ready for it, researching all of the gear - holy cow, it took a week to decide on a titanium mug!!
Hi loris,
I’ll be starting a flip flop in April 2020 also.
Hope to see you on the trail.
Hello everybody.
I am Bob Palin and I am the Utah Coordinator for the American Discovery Trail (discoverytrail.org) I am also the webmaster over there and administer the Facebook Group. Happy to answer questions about the ADT.
Hello, my name is Debbie. I looking to section hike the PCT in April 2020 about 100 miles. Trying to gather all the information I can but something tells me I just need to DO IT! 
Hello again! I have come back with a new name and fresh start, so I thought I would re-introduce myself. I grew up hiking in WNC and always dreamed of thru-hiking. I moved to SE Missouri ten years ago and have been mostly hiking on my own land and around the Ozark Trail. Last summer I started rapidly losing my mobility, and I should really be in a wheelchair, but for now I’m getting by with a cane. I’ve also recently resumed hiking, because I can’t live without it. I’m not sure how this affects my plans to do the AT when my youngest graduates. I suppose I’ll have to do as much as I can manage every year instead of one straight thru-hike, but I’m not giving up on my dreams and passions. For now I’m finding short, accessible trails and reading along online/watching youtube/IG for inspiration.
AugurPool I admire your determination and willingness to fulfill your dreams. I too am having trouble with my legs but mine is mainly arthritis in the knees. I’m planning on going to Harpers Ferry in April for the “Flip-Flop Festival” and then hiking as far as I can go. If the ‘Old Body’ tells me I had enough, I guess I’ll become a Section Hiker.
Please keep pursuing your dreams, I believe with your strong desire to do the trail, you’ll be successful!
Hi all. I’m trying to join some hiking communities in anticipation of an AT thru hike 2023. I’ve been an outdoors person all my life, and led some short backpacking trips with children, along with a lot of outdoor ed work.
I’ve been trying to get on AT specific forums but can’t! WhiteBlaze moderators haven’t activated my account after days of waiting. Appalachian Trail Cafe requires i answer the question about the start and end states of the AT, but it won’t accept my answer no matter how I phrase it. It requires the question in order to fill out the contact form too! So I can’t get anywhere with it.
Anyway, happy to find a forum that works and hoping to share info here, but if anyone has tips for accessing those other two forums I would greatly appreciate it!