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American Discovery Trail

A collection of 8 posts

The American Discovery Trail Is Having a Moment

American Discovery Trail

The American Discovery Trail Is Having a Moment

Seven hikers are out on the American Discovery Trail right now — eight if you count Bernie Krausse on the Great American Rail-Trail through the shared Illinois corridor. And this is just the beginning of what's shaping up to be a record-setting year for the ADT.

'A Cadence My Body Knows to Keep'

American Discovery Trail

'A Cadence My Body Knows to Keep'

Fresh spring field reports from the ADT: Leif Olson completes Utah solo and unsupported, crossing into Nevada with California still ahead. Ohio's Buckeye Trail rebounds. Missouri's Katy Trail updated. Here's what's changed on the ground. 🥾

Spring on the ADT — Who's Out There Right Now

American Discovery Trail

Spring on the ADT — Who's Out There Right Now

Spring 2026 is shaping up to be one of the more active seasons we've seen on the American Discovery Trail. From Rhiis and Sara crossing into St. Louis, to Leif Olson's hard miles through Utah, to Scott Arnett's first day out of Lee's Summit — here's what hikers are sending back.

Popeye, Highland Cows, and an 80-to-15 Degree Weather Whiplash

American Discovery Trail

Popeye, Highland Cows, and an 80-to-15 Degree Weather Whiplash

This week's dispatch covers five states and two coast-to-coast trails. Renae survives a 65-degree temperature swing at Dolly Sods, Rhiis and Sara discover Popeye's hometown, Bernie adds 23 waypoints on the C&O Canal, and Greg James becomes a Trail Angel in Kansas.

Week One on the Great American Rail-Trail: Bernie Krausse Reports from the C&O Canal

Great American Rail-Trail

Week One on the Great American Rail-Trail: Bernie Krausse Reports from the C&O Canal

Bernie Krausse is one week into his Great American Rail-Trail thru-hike — and already sending back the kind of trail intelligence you can't get from a guidebook. Here's what he found between D.C. and Cumberland. 🥾

Mystery Cars, Abandoned Corn Pickers, and 31 New Waypoints

American Discovery Trail

Mystery Cars, Abandoned Corn Pickers, and 31 New Waypoints

Rhiis and Sara are hiking the River to River Trail in Southern Illinois and sending back real-time field updates. This week: Ferne Clyffe State Park earns best trail section honors, Panther Den Wilderness conditions, new campsites, water sources, and 31 new waypoints added to our GPS data.

ADT vs Great American Rail-Trail: Two Ways to Walk Across America

Great American Rail-Trail

ADT vs Great American Rail-Trail: Two Ways to Walk Across America

Both trails cross America. One is coast-to-coast, the other cross-country from D.C. to Washington State. But they're fundamentally different experiences. Here's how the American Discovery Trail and Great American Rail-Trail compare — and which one fits your goals.

80 New Waypoints and Counting: Field Reports from ADT Illinois

American Discovery Trail

80 New Waypoints and Counting: Field Reports from ADT Illinois

Rhiis and Sara have contributed 80 new waypoints across the ADT in Southern Illinois — including a new Trail Angel, dispersed camping, water sources, and track corrections.