Great Shorter Thru Hikes

If you can’t do one of those 6-month long hikes, but you still want to do some extended backpacking. No problem.

Can you get away for a few days, a week, or even a month? What CAN you do?

There are many options out there for any length and distance that are within a day’s drive for most people. 

Shorter trails can offer a very similar experience in terms of having some solitude, a mental reset, all the health benefits, and even the feeling of achieving something amazing. Your long hike doesn't need to be the longest or the most popular trail.

Is surprises many people what just a few days on trail will do for them. And if you do shorter hikes over a longer period of time, not only can get almost everything a longer trail can give you, but you can do it many times more often. 

There’s all kinds of reasons a shorter trail may make sense for you. 

And just a quick mention here about those who do both: big long hikes and a bunch of shorter hikes... essentially a life of adventure. There are very few people who have found a way to live this kind of lifestyle. They’ve somehow found a way to be financially stable enough, as least for a period, while getting in all these adventures. It’s uncommon because it’s very difficult and requires a set of circumstances with the right timing - and an unusual level of support and sacrifice from loved ones. There’s a lot to talk about here that won’t fit into this video – but, just to recognize this third option. 

Shorter Thru Hike Options

The text book definition of a thru hike is simply a continuous end-to-end hike of an established long-distance trail. There’s no specific distance requirement, but don’t get hung up on distance. That’s not really the point. The point is more about challenging yourself in nature on a trail for an extended period to get something of value out of it. This is the “why” people talk about – our purpose for doing this thing. That’s the important part.

Here are the shorter hikes I’ve done in recent years, ranging from 23 to 500 miles:

• Colorado Trail in Colorado was just under 500 miles. It took me 40 days, stopping for a few days rest along the way. It includes 200 miles of the Continental Divide Trail.
• Tahoe Rim Trail in California and Nevada was around 170 miles. It includes 50 miles of the Pacific Crest Trail. It took me 10 days with one rest day.
• Ouachita Trail in Oklahoma and Arkansas was 223 miles. I had to split this in two trips due to an injury.
• Loop trails are a great option too. I’ve done several in Colorado ranging from 23 to 50 miles long:

• Holy Cross Wilderness Loop - 34 miles
• Four-Pass Loop - 27 miles
• Rito Alto Four Pass Loop - 23 miles
• Lost Creek Wilderness Loop - 50 miles
• Flattop Wilderness Area Loop - 50 miles
• Indian Peaks Pawnee-Buchanan Loop - 27 miles

• Zion National Park in Utah was a 25 mile loop
• Wind River Range Cirque of the Towers Loop in WY was 26 miles. I’ve done other loop and out-back hikes in this area. It's gorgeous!
• Uinta Highline Trail in Utah is a 100 mile trail, but I had to get off after 50 miles due to an injury
• Arizona Trail in Arizona is an 800 mile trail. I hiked segments of this trail over four years totaling 400 miles.
• North Country Trail in Upper Michigan. I’ve segment hiked about 90 miles with my brother so far; we’ll add 30 more miles to that this summer.
• Centennial Trail in South Dakota is 123 miles. I’m writing this article before leaving to do that trail. So, you’ll see what happened in the upcoming videos.

I don’t consider this to be a big resume. But it’s been pretty amazing for me. The people I’ve met; the remote places I’ve seen; the different terrains and environments; the challenges; the experiences, etc. It’s all been great. I have playlists on my YouTube channel with all these videos if you are interested in seeing more about these trails. 

There are many dozens of other trails. I haven’t even scratched the surface of all the different trails even in my own State, not to mention everywhere else in the U.S. and even abroad. 

So, instead of naming off all of them, I found this Wikipedia page that has a good list. It’s not a complete list, but it's lengthy. There’s also a nice map of the U.S. here that might help. 

Also:

• You may also simply do an Internet search for your state or do a search on any trail app you might have. 
• Maybe you have friends in different areas of the country you could hit up for some ideas. 
• You could even make your own route by combining portions of several trails. 
• You may choose to just hike two or three shorter trails back to back that are close to each other. 

Just get creative. There are no rules.