The American Discovery Trail Just Got More Flexible: Introducing ↔ Dual-Directional Navigation
Westbound hiker Steve Gefell hit unsustainable desert heat in Utah. Instead of quitting, he used our dual directional navigation to flip to California and walk back east with better timing. Hiking America is now the only complete dual directional guide for the ADT.
Westbound hiker 'Saunterin Steve' Gefell began his American Discovery Trail thru-hike at Cape Henlopen, Delaware, on February 23, 2025, with solid preparation and high hopes.
But when he reached Moab, Utah, on August 8th, the unusually intense desert heat became unsustainable – more than three straight weeks with temperatures above 100 degrees - and no cover.
In the past, this would have meant pausing a thru-hike or abandoning it entirely.
Instead, Steve used our Dual-Directional navigational data to 'Flip-Flop' – he jumped ahead to the ADT's Western Terminus at Limantour Beach, California, and is now walking back toward the Nevada and Utah deserts—on track to arrive at a time when temperatures will be more moderate.
His thru-hike continued, just in a different direction.
Dual-Directional resource for the American Discovery Trail
Today, we're excited to share that Hiking America has become the only resource offering complete dual directional navigation for the American Discovery Trail!
After months of painstaking conversion work, our GPS data and turn-by-turn guides now support hikers traveling in either direction, Westbound (WEBO) or Eastbound (EABO), making the ADT more accessible and adaptable than ever before.
Why Dual Directional Matters More Than You Think
Most long-distance trails assume you'll hike in one primary direction. Hikers of both the Appalachian Trail and Pacific Crest Trail, for the most part, flow from south to north. But the ADT is different—it's truly a coast-to-coast trail where either direction makes sense, and real-world conditions often demand flexibility.
Picture this: You're over 300 miles into your eastbound ADT journey when wildfire smoke blankets California, or an early snowstorm hits the Sierras in October. Your original plan just became impossible, but instead of ending your hike, you have another option—flip directions and keep walking.
Weather patterns, seasonal timing, and personal circumstances don't always align with a rigid eastbound or westbound plan. Until now, hikers who needed to change directions mid-trail faced a navigation nightmare, piecing together incomplete information or trying to reverse inadequate guidance—not to mention the head math involved in reversing direction and mileage totals.
Trying to reverse calculate waypoint sequences while you're already dealing with trail stress is exactly the kind of unnecessary complexity that Dual-Directional navigation eliminates.
Real-World Flexibility for Real Trail Challenges
This Dual-Directional capability solves several common ADT challenges:
Weather Windows: Start westbound while waiting on the Sierra snow melt, then flip eastbound when the weather clears. Or begin eastbound to escape brutal Plains summer heat, switching directions when temperatures become manageable.
Seasonal Timing: Miss your planned start date? No problem. Dual-directional data lets you choose the direction that works best for your actual departure timing, not just your original plan.
Life Happens: Family emergencies, work obligations, or health issues might require you to start from a different coast. With bidirectional navigation, you're not locked into one inflexible plan.
Section Hiking Strategy: Want to complete the ADT in segments over multiple years? Dual-directional data makes it easy to plan connected sections regardless of which direction flows better for your schedule.
What This Means for ADT Accessibility
The American Discovery Trail has always been the most logistically complex long-distance trail in America. Adding flexible directional options removes one major barrier to completion. Whether you're a first-time thru-hiker looking for optimal conditions or an experienced backpacker dealing with unexpected challenges, dual directional navigation keeps your options open.
This isn't about making the trail easier—it's about making it more achievable. The physical challenge remains the same regardless of direction. But now the logistical challenge becomes manageable, letting you focus on the experience rather than constantly troubleshooting navigation gaps.
Looking Forward
Hiking America's ADT community is small but dedicated...and growing! And every successful completion inspires others to attempt this incredible journey. By removing navigation barriers and increasing planning flexibility, we're hoping to see more hikers experience the unique adventure of walking across America.
Whether you're planning your first ADT attempt or you're a veteran looking for new challenges, dual directional navigation gives you tools to succeed regardless of which coast calls to you first.
Ready to Start Planning?
If you've been considering the ADT but felt constrained by directional limitations, now's the perfect time to dive into planning. Our dual directional GPS data and turn-by-turn guides provide the navigation confidence you need to focus on the parts of preparation that really matter—like getting excited about crossing an entire continent on foot.
The trail is waiting, and now it's ready for you, regardless of which direction feels right. 🥾
Want to explore how Hiking America's dual directional navigation can support your ADT planning? Check out our complete GPS data and planning resources designed specifically for America's most ambitious trail.
P.S. - Don't forget - there's a Hiker Tag in it for you - FREE to all Hiking America members!
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