American Discovery Trail

Mystery Cars, Abandoned Corn Pickers, and 31 New Waypoints

Rhiis and Sara are hiking the River to River Trail in Southern Illinois and sending back real-time field updates. This week: Ferne Clyffe State Park earns best trail section honors, Panther Den Wilderness conditions, new campsites, water sources, and 31 new waypoints added to our GPS data.

Great American Rail-Trail

Double-Triple Crown Hiker Just Stepped Off the Capitol Reflecting Pool to Walk Across America

Double-Triple Crown finisher Bernie Krause stepped off the Capitol Reflecting Pool today, beginning a 3,800-mile westbound thru-hike of the Great American Rail-Trail. His journey is also field-verifying Hiking America's GPS data for future hikers.

Great American Rail-Trail

ADT vs Great American Rail-Trail: Two Ways to Walk Across America

Both trails cross America. One is coast-to-coast, the other cross-country from D.C. to Washington State. But they're fundamentally different experiences. Here's how the American Discovery Trail and Great American Rail-Trail compare — and which one fits your goals.

American Discovery Trail

80 New Waypoints and Counting: Field Reports from ADT Illinois

Rhiis and Sara have contributed 80 new waypoints across the ADT in Southern Illinois — including a new Trail Angel, dispersed camping, water sources, and track corrections.

Great American Rail-Trail

First-Ever Known Thru-Hike of the Great American Rail-Trail: Bernie Krausse to Make History

Double Triple-Crowner Bernie Krausse — with 57,000 career miles — is about to make history with the first-ever known thru-hike of the Great American Rail-Trail. Hiking America has spent months mapping the gap routes to make this 3,700+ mile coast-to-coast journey hikeable right now.

Indiana

On the Trail: Familiar Names and a New Face

Trail Updates, New Faces, and a Few Welcome Changes on the Indiana Route

How To

How Hiking America Works with Gaia GPS

A Hiking America subscription gives you turn-by-turn PDF guides and live Gaia GPS access — both included. Works on free and premium Gaia GPS. Your waypoints sync automatically when the trail changes. Here's how it all fits together.

Maryland

A Shelter Damaged, A Ranger's Kindness, and Why Real-Time Trail Intelligence Matters

Current ADT hiker Renae Gupta discovered the Tuckahoe State Park shelter on Maryland Segment 6 was damaged in the late February snow event. It's repairable but currently out of service. Gaia GPS and guidebook updated. Here's what you need to know.

Hiker Spotlight: Renae Gupta — Walking Across America for a Purpose

Renae Gupta left a geology career in Alaska last November feeling unfulfilled. Now she's walking 6,800 miles across America — and raising money for causes she believes in every step of the way.

Colorado

Trail Alert: Air Force Academy Section Closed Indefinitely

The Santa Fe Trail through the U.S. Air Force Academy is now closed indefinitely. Here's what ADT hikers need to know — and the verified alternate route that's already in your GPS data. 🥾

Hiking America FIELD NOTES 🥾

New detours, a closed campsite, and 30+ new Amazon resupply locations — here's what's changed on the ADT in Ohio, Illinois, and Missouri.

Maryland

⚠️ TRAIL ALERT: C&O Canal / Potomac River Corridor — Health Advisory in Effect

Don't drink or filter water along the C & O Canal Towpath near DC. A 300-million-gallon raw sewage spill near Cabin John, MD has contaminated this ADT corridor. The towpath is passable — but the waterway is off-limits as water sources until further notice.

Trail Alert: Rock Island Trail | Pleasant Hill, Missouri

Missouri Segment 2 - Between Hiking America Waypoints 2 & 4

California

The Sierra Is Getting Hammered — Here's What It Means for Your ADT Timing

The Sierra just got 30+ inches in 24 hours. For eastbound ADT hikers counting on early May access, that early-crossing window just closed. Here's what the snow totals mean for your timeline. ⛰️

Colorado

Colorado's Record Low Snowpack: What ADT Hikers Need to Know Right Now

Colorado's snowpack is at 55% of normal — and some basins are as low as 48%. For ADT hikers planning a 2026 thru-hike, this isn't just a ski resort story. Here's what it means for your water sources, timing, and trail planning. 🥾

Great American Rail-Trail

Hiking America on the Great American Rail-Trail

We're creating GPS navigation for the Great American Rail Trail's 81 gaps to support Bernie Krausse's first thru-hike later next month. The trail is 56% complete from D.C. to Washington State — viable for thru-hiking now with the right route data.

How To

258 New Waypoints: A Look Inside How We Keep Your ADT Navigation Current

258 new waypoints added to Hiking America's ADT data—General Delivery post offices, Amazon Lockers, and hiker-friendly contacts. Each is verified and formatted to stand out when needed—a behind-the-scenes look at how we keep your navigation current.

Getting Started

Start Here: Hiking America!

Hiking America is the leading resource for American Discovery Trail hikers, offering continuously updated navigation tools for your coast-to-coast journey — on the trail, and through the local cities, towns, and rural lands.

How To

When You're One Month Out: What Actually Matters in Your Final ADT Preparation

One month before your ADT start, the planning phase ends and the systems phase begins. Stop gathering more information and start testing what actually matters: your communication plan, your gear under real conditions, and your navigation tools. Confidence comes from knowing your setup works.

Colorado

New Route Alternate: Navigating Around Air Force Academy Closures

The New Santa Fe Trail through Air Force Academy property closes periodically due to security protocols. We've mapped and verified a complete alternate route around the Academy - trail-tested by Steve Gefell this summer. Includes access to resupply, restaurants, and lodging in Colorado Springs.

How To

Winter Project Update: Comprehensive Resupply Data for the Entire ADT

This winter we're expanding ADT resupply data across all 15 states - mapping Amazon Locker and Counter locations, verifying post office General Delivery policies, and documenting branch-level details. Complete, current information for confident resupply planning.

Getting Started

Thankful for the Trail Ahead - Grateful for this community of dreamers and doers 🥾

This Thanksgiving, I'm reflecting on an incredible year supporting ADT dreamers and doers. From helping Steve navigate flood detours to watching Rhiis and Sara inspire new trail angels, this community continues to prove that ordinary people can accomplish extraordinary things.

Winter Updates: 80+ New Nebraska Waypoints and Trail Intel

While thru-hikers rest, ADT navigation keeps improving. This week: 80+ new Nebraska waypoints from Rhiis and Sara, Steve Gefell's Nevada and Utah notes, and verified trail angel updates across five states. The continuous work that keeps your navigation current year-round.

Utah

He Did It! Steve Gefell Completes the American Discovery Trail

Steve Gefell just walked across America. 4,629 miles. Cape Henlopen to Moab. The only 2025 ADT Southern Route finisher. After heat forced a flip-flop, he adapted and finished. Congratulations! 🥾

Nebraska

"There Are No Boring Places, Only Boring Mindsets" – Guest Post from ADT Thru-Hikers

"Everyone said Nebraska would be flat and boring—just endless cornfields. But walking through it this fall, we're finding it gorgeous. There are no boring places, only boring mindsets. Quality over quantity, memories over miles. That's what makes the ADT truly worth experiencing."