If you've never tackled the historical Appalachian and Pacific Crest trails, you might soon be able to do both at once. Rue McKenrick, a devoted hiker, has set out to map a route that will connect the two trails. The American Perimeter Trail would run 12,000 miles, effectively becoming the longest hiking destination in the United States.
The feat isn't a simple one: the Pacific Crest Trail runs on the West side of the country while the Appalachian trail runs from Maine to Georgia. The new, super-long path would actually connect the two coasts.
According to Fox, McKenrick came up with the idea for a new major route ten years ago, after hiking what is most commonly known as the Triple Crown of trails. The latter includes the Pacific Crest (2,650 miles), the Appalachian (2,190 miles) and the Continental Divide (3,100 miles). Unable to find another long trail to tackle, he set out to create one on his own.
The news outlet also reports that McKenrick is currently walking across both new and existing paths to sketch out the novel route. Given the current pandemic, the "professional backpacker—"as McKenrick refers to himself—isn't stopping through towns adjacent to his path, rather living off of resupply boxes that are sent to pre-planned post offices. You can read all about his experiences on his blog right here (full disclosure: it's managed by a volunteer coordinator, Leilah Grace). And in case you were wondering, yes, he is respecting social distancing guidelines throughout his hiking efforts.
While waiting for the American Perimeter Trail to officially open (don't hold your breath, it might take years), why not tackle some other scenic hiking trails currently accessible throughout the United States?
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