The Route
The concept is to combine existing long distrance trails to pass through the West's most iconic and beautiful wild places that highlight some of America's most important conservation issues. It's also an opportunity to celebrate America's impressive system of public lands.
The route contains portions of the long distance trails:
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Arizona Trail (AT)
HayDuke Trail (HD)
Continental Divide Trail (CDT)
Pacific Northwest Trail (PNT)
Pacific Crest Trail (PCT)
American Perimeter Trail (APT)
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The original inspiration for this trek comes from Andrew Skurka's 2007 Great Western Loop. However, I wanted to find a way to ​ include Southeast Utah's canyon country. So, I incoporated portions of the Arizona Trail and the HayDuke trails.
There is no described backpacking trail (that I'm aware of) from Moab to Silverton, where one can pick up the CDT. I've tentatively mapped this part using pre-existing hiking trails, mountain bike trails and roads through the Uncompahgre and other parts of SW Colorado.
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To connect the PCT in the South, I developed a route following some of the riparian corridors, passing through 6 designated wilderness areas, and exploring some of Arizona's most beautiful, yet rarely visited, natural areas.
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The rest of the route is pretty straightforward as seen on the map.
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If any of you have suggestions, ideas, or thoughts, please send them my way at:
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