🥾 Hiking America's Spring 2025 Update from the American Discovery Trail!
The American Discovery Trail is buzzing with activity this spring! With TEN hikers in the Class of 2025 currently making their way Westbound across the country, storms shaking things up, and new info popping up all along the trail, we've got a LOT of updates to share.
📍 Current Hiker Locations
📍 Current Hiker Locations
The amazing Class of 2025 Hikers are making steady progress! Here's where they've landed this weekend:
- Steve Gefell is trekking through New Haven, IL 🛶
- Philip & Drew have reached Lawrenceburg, IN 🎒
- Kolten Garcia, is steady in Sweetzer, IN 🧢
- Jeffrey Kazar is cruising through Peebles, OH 🚶♂️
- Rhiis & Sara are soaking in the beauty of Tar Hollow State Forest 🌲
- Greg James & Daniel & Zack are winding around the C & O Canal🚶♂️
⚡ Major Trail Updates & Detours
🚧 Newland Creek Bridge - Indiana Segment 8
Severe storms and flooding in April wiped out the Newland Creek Bridge on E Kinderhook Rd.
Good news: we've added a safe detour to guide you around it until the reconstruction is complete - it will be at least a year.
Big thanks to Steve Gefell, who bravely crossed the creek on felled trees and through brambles (but does not recommend it unless you love wrestling thorny bushes)!
🏕️ New Stealth Camping Spot!
Pigeon Roost State Historic Site now offers a quiet stealth camping opportunity — large shelter, picnic tables, no water/restrooms, but solid vibes for a night's rest. Steve camped there with no issues!
👼 New Trail Angels
Steve also found new trail angels near Deam Lake, Indiana — hikers helping hikers. Plus, we have a new angel east of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge offering lawn camping and bridge rides! Their info is now updated in our Gaia GPS data and Turn-By-Turn guides.
🛠️ Other Important Trail Changes
- Missouri Segment 1: Minor route change to Indian Creek Trail to avoid flooded areas (mileage updated in all guides and Gaia GPS).
- Maryland Segment 2: A new Mexican restaurant opened in Shepherdstown — refuel with tacos! 🌮
- Maryland Segments 1-3: Water pumps along the C&O Canal Pathway are back ON for the season. Reminder: always treat the water!
- Illinois North Segment 2: The Morris, IL detour has been removed! 🎉 The Nettle Creek aqueduct is finally reopened after a five-year closure.
- Indiana South Segment 6: Part of the Adventure Hiking Trail in Harrison-Crawford State Forest is closed due to logging — detours updated.
📜 Fresh Hiker Notes: Ohio Segments 7-10
Big thanks to Rhiis & Sara for their detailed field notes! Here's the latest:
- Ohio 10: New trail angel info added.
- Ohio 8: Burr Oak State Park campground updates — prices, amenities, storm blowdowns logged. 🏕️
- Buckeye Trail reroute: New trail routing into Shawnee, Ohio — maps and directions updated.
- Boch Hollow Nature Preserve: Three rock outcroppings found — perfect emergency storm shelters! ⛈️
- Ohio 7: Found a sturdy (but old) pavilion on a hilltop (see above) — great rain shelter, plus several excellent creek-side camping options.
- 🪵 Blowdowns documented: In New Straitsville and Old Man's Cave sections — now in our GPS data and shared with the Buckeye Trail Association for maintenance.
🏆 Progress Report: Dual-Directional Navigation Project
We've now finished Indiana, Illinois, Kansas and Missouri in dual-direction navigation for both the PDF guides and Gaia GPS waypoints!
That's nearly 2/3 of the American Discovery Trail done — we're on track to complete the full project this summer! 🚀
🌎 Stay Connected — Stay Inspired!
The American Discovery Trail is alive with change, community, and new adventures — and Hiking America is your home base for every update.
We're proud to walk beside you — whether you're dreaming, planning, or already out on the trail.
👉 Join the Hiking America Newsletter for real-time trail updates, insider tips, and exclusive maps!
Hike Your Hike - John. 🌄🥾
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