Congratulations to Marshall Travis on Completing the American Discovery Trail!
Marshall Travis has completed the northern route of the American Discovery Trail, finishing his cross-country hike in just under eight months. Despite detours and challenges, he stayed true to the trail and documented his journey daily.
We’re excited to celebrate Marshall Travis’s impressive achievement of completing the American Discovery Trail (ADT) from Cape Henlopen, Delaware, to Limantour Beach, California. He began his journey on February 13th and finished today, October 10th. Marshall covered the ADT's northern route in just under eight months—an accomplishment that reflects true grit and determination.
Overcoming Challenges on the Trail
Marshall’s cross-country journey was no easy feat. In addition to the usual long-distance hiking challenges, he had to contend with two major wildfire detours. The 5,300-acre Little Twist Fire in Utah and the 5,500-acre Davis Fire in Nevada forced Marshall to find alternate routes, demonstrating resilience and problem-solving in adversity.
During the wildfire detours, Marshall’s updates were beneficial in showing how to navigate the Hiking America alternative routes. His willingness to adapt and share real-time experiences made his journey a resource for himself and the entire ADT community.
Like many long-distance hikers, Marshall made a few route adjustments. Still, for the most part, he remained faithful to the ADT’s official path—an impressive feat given the trail’s complexity and ever-changing conditions.
Sharing the Experience with the Community
One of the unique aspects of Marshall’s hike was his daily video documentation. He shared his progress, thoughts, and insights each day, creating a valuable resource for anyone considering the ADT. His videos capture the highs and lows of life on the trail and offer helpful tips for navigating its more challenging sections.
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More Hikers Making Waves on the ADT This Year
Marshall’s completion is a highlight of 2024, but he’s not the only hiker making an impact on the trail:
- Matthew Hengst is currently taking a brief pause due to an injury but plans to continue his hike soon. Like Marshall, Matthew is documenting his journey through daily video diaries, providing a wealth of information and inspiration for the hiking community. His updates have become a must-watch for those following the ADT this year.
- Leif Olson is in Colorado and continuing his progress to complete the entire 6,800 miles of the ADT
- Christopher Fiorello is section hiking large sections of the ADT as he walks from his old home in Brooklyn, New York, to his new home in Santa Barbara, California.
- Bernie Krauss completed the full 6,800 miles of ADT this summer. Having hiked the entire southern route in 2022, he came back this year to complete the northern route from Denver to Elizabethtown, Ohio, making him one of the few to achieve this rare feat. His journey remains a source of inspiration for all long-distance hikers.
A Noteworthy Year for the ADT Community
With 11 hikers actively pursuing the ADT this year, Marshall’s coast-to-coast completion is a significant accomplishment. It makes him one of the few to finish the trail within a single calendar year, something that’s rare due to the trail’s length and complexity.
We at HikingAmerica.com are proud to recognize Marshall’s successful completion and to acknowledge the efforts of all the hikers still out there, tackling the ADT one step at a time. Whether you’re finishing the trail in one go, completing sections, or simply planning your journey, every step on the ADT is an achievement worth celebrating.
Congratulations, Marshall, and good luck to all the hikers still making their way across the ADT!
Hike Your Hike - John.
