Hiking America ADT Trail Updates: Winter 2024 Guide Improvements & Trail Alerts
Discover Hiking America major ADT trail updates, a critical Toiyabe alert, new dual-directional guides across multiple states, and follow thru-hiker Leif Olson's epic journey. 🥾 #ADT
Big updates are coming to the Hiking America Guides to the American Discovery Trail! 🎉 This fall, we've been hard at work making our resources more user-friendly and comprehensive for both eastbound and westbound hikers.
Here's what's new:
Important Trail Alert: Toiyabe Crest Section ⚠️
First, let's address our most critical update. The Toiyabe Crest Trail section in Nevada Segment 4 continues to present significant challenges that deserve careful consideration before attempting. Recent reports highlight multiple rockslides, dense vegetation overgrowth, and challenging water crossings. Most of the damage is due to an atmospheric river and avalanche in the winter of 2022/23. Maintenance since then has been slim to none.
Mike "I Like Mike" Crowley was the last ADT hiker to try to push through the area on the official route this past June and documented the trouble.
Given Mike's experience, you'll need solid skills in:
- Bushwhacking through dense vegetation
- Basic canyoneering techniques
- Map and compass navigation
- Rock scrambling across unstable terrain
🌊 The section between NV4-23 and NV4-27 (5.1 miles) requires particular attention during spring/early summer conditions due to dozens of swollen, fast-flowing creeks and rivers.
Because of these reasons, and based on the successful 2023-2024 thru-hiker experiences of Brianna DeSantis and Marshall Travis, we continue to recommend the Arc Dome Wilderness Bypass for this year's crossing.
Guide Improvements 📱
Nevada Updates
Other improvements to the Nevada sections include:
- Dual-Directional Navigation for Segments 1-5
- A new Pioneer Way Alternate near Fallon.
- Reroute (below) of the trail off of US 50 and onto the Lincoln Highway that passes directly through Middlegate (suggested by Marshall Travis '24)
- Updated climb category graphics for both eastbound and westbound hikers
Complete Ohio Overhaul
We've finished a comprehensive update of all Ohio segments! 🎉 These improvements include:
- Conversion to dual-directional navigation
- Updated climb categories with new graphics
- Refined Buckeye Trail routing around Milford and East Fork State Park
- Added historical information about the Brown Covered Bridge (added to National Register of Historic Places in 1976)
- Streamlined county-based navigation references
Maryland Milestone
All Maryland guides are now dual-directional! We've also added convenient Amazon Locker resupply locations along the trail.
Kansas Improvements
All Kansas guides are now dual-directional!
- New service waypoints
- Added stealth camping locations
- New Sunflower Trail Alternate between McPherson & Galva
- Trail Angel information in Ramona (offering bed and shower when available)
On Trail
This Winter, we continue following the journey of the sole remaining Class of 2024 thru-hiker, Leif Olson, who is making his way east through Kansas. Leif has already conquered the eastern and northern segments of the ADT. After completing the Southern segment, he plans to return to Denver to tackle the Western segment, positioning himself to join the elite group of hikers who have completed all 6,800 miles of the American Discovery Trail!
And enduring the countless 'wellness checks' from deputies along the way as he detailed in a recent Insta Post.
"The deputy grilled me about my income, of all things, stopping just short of demanding a tax return verification, simply unable to grasp how someone might support or care for themselves without traditional employment and without Welfare or charity."
Hiking America Hiker Tags - 50% Off for a Limited Time!
– Always FREE to Hiking America Members!
Trail Town News 🏘️
Exciting developments in Iowa! Coon Rapids is seeking official designation as an ADT Trail Town. This addition to our trail community would provide another welcoming stop along the 6,800-mile journey across America.
Abby Ward
What's Next? 🎯
Hiking America continues our mission to make the ADT more accessible, safer and enjoyable for all hikers. Our focus remains on:
- Converting remaining segments to dual-directional navigation
- Adding detailed waypoints for services and camping
- Incorporating hiker feedback and suggestions
As always, we love to hear your feedback and experiences to help keep our guides current and accurate.
Hike Your Hike - John. And Happy Holidays! 🎄
