American Discovery Trail

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American Discovery Trail
AmDiscoveryMap.jpg
The American Discovery Trail, including its northern and southern routes.
Length6800 mi (10944 km)
LocationUnited States
TrailheadsCape Henlopen, Delaware;
Limantour Beach, California
UseHiking, Horseback Riding, Mountain Biking
Elevation
Highest pointArgentine Pass, 13,207 ft (4,025 m)
Lowest pointCalifornia Delta between Isleton and Antioch, −17 ft (−5.2 m)
Hiking details
Trail difficultyEasy to Strenuous
SeasonAll year
SightsNational Parks, National Forests
HazardsSevere Weather

The American Discovery Trail is a system of recreational trails and roads which collectively form a coast-to-coast hiking and biking trail across the mid-tier of the United States. Horses can also be ridden on most of this trail.[1] The coastal trailheads are the Delmarva Peninsula on the Atlantic Ocean and the northern California coast on the Pacific Ocean. The trail has northern and southern alternates for part of its distance, passing through Chicago and St. Louis respectively. The total length of the trail including both the north and south routes is 6,800 miles (10,944 km). The northern route covers 4,834 miles (7,780 km) with the southern route covering 5,057 miles (8,138 km). It is the only non-motorized coast-to-coast trail.[2]

The trail passes through 14 national parks and 16 national forests and uses sections of or connects to five National Scenic Trails, 10 National Historic Trails, and 23 National Recreation Trails. For part of its distance, it is coincident with the North Country Trail, the Buckeye Trail, the Continental Divide Trail, and the Colorado Trail.

The trail passes through the District of Columbia and the following 15 states:

  • Delaware (45 miles (72 km))
  • Maryland (270 miles (430 km))
  • West Virginia (288 miles (463 km))
  • Ohio (524 miles (843 km))
  • Indiana (250 miles (400 km))
  • Illinois (219 miles (352 km))
  • Kentucky (8.7 miles (14.0 km))
  • Iowa (512 miles (824 km))
  • Missouri (343 miles (552 km))
  • Nebraska (523 miles (842 km))
  • Kansas (570 miles (920 km))
  • Colorado (1,153 miles (1,856 km))
  • Utah (593 miles (954 km))
  • Nevada (496 miles (798 km))
  • California (276 miles (444 km))

Hiking records[]

ADT Society's official trail logo[1]

Joyce and Pete Cottrell, of Whitefield, New Hampshire, were the first to backpack the entire official route of the American Discovery Trail. They hiked the segments out of sequence over two calendar years, finishing in 2003.[3][4]

The first hikers to complete the trail in one continuous walk were Marcia and Ken Powers, a wife and husband team from Pleasanton, California. Their trailwalk lasted from February 27 to October 15, 2005. They started out from Cape Henlopen State Park in Delaware and ended at Point Reyes, California. They trailed 5,058 miles (8,140 km) by foot, averaging 22 miles (35 km) a day.[5][6]

The first person to backpack the entire 6,800 miles (10,944 km) (including both Northern and Southern sections) in one continuous hike was Mike "Lion King" Daniel. He started from Cape Henlopen State Park on June 17, 2007, and ended at Point Reyes, California on November 5, 2008.[7][8]

The first person to cover the entire equestrian route on horseback was Matt Parker. He undertook the journey between May 2003 and November 2005.[9][10]

Notable locations[]

At Cedar Rapids, a mural was posted on Greene Square in 2019 to mark both the American Discovery Trail which passes through downtown and the Cedar Lake-Smokestack Bridge project.[11]

The following notable locations are found along or adjacent to the route of the American Discovery Trail. They are listed from east to west to correspond with the itinerary typically followed by thru-hikers to take advantage of the best seasonal weather conditions.[2]

  • Cape Henlopen State Park, the eastern terminus of the trail in Delaware.
  • Argentine Pass, Colorado, the highest point in the trail where it crosses the Rockies.
  • Limantour Beach, Point Reyes, the western terminus of the trail in California.

Other affiliated locations[]

The following locations are found along or adjacent to the route of the American Discovery Trail. They are divided into categories within each state, organized by state from east to west.[2]

Delaware[]

Affiliated trails[]

  • Cape Henlopen Bike Trail
  • Georgetown-Lewes Trail

Forests[]

  • Redden State Forest

Parks[]

Points of interest[]

  • Historic towns of Lewes and Milton

Maryland[]

Affiliated trails[]

Parks[]

West Virginia[]

Affiliated trails[]

  • North Bend Rail Trail
  • Harrison County Rail-Trail
  • Dryfork Rail-Trail
  • Allegheny Trail

Forests[]

  • Monongahela National Forest

Parks[]

Ohio[]

Affiliated trails[]

  • Buckeye Trail
  • Burr Oak Loop Trail
  • Robert and Mary Lou Paton Trail in Burr Oak State Park
  • Grandma Gatewood Trail in Hocking Hills State Park
  • Perimeter Trail in East Fork Park
  • The Riverwalk in Cincinnati
  • The Shaker Trace in Miami-Whitewater Forest Hamilton County Park
  • Hueston Woods State Park Trails
    • Hedgeapple Trail
    • Big Woods Trail
    • Sugar Bush Trail
    • West Shore Trail in Hueston Woods State Park

Forests[]

Parks[]

Indiana (Northern route)[]

Affiliated trails[]

  • Whitewater Gorge National Recreation Trail
  • Cardinal Greenway
  • Erie Trail-North Judson
  • Nickel Plate Trail

Parks[]

Indiana (Southern route)[]

Affiliated trails[]

  • Pigeon Creek Greenway
  • Knobstone Trail
  • Two Lakes Trail
  • Adventure Trail
  • Burdette Park/University of Southern Indiana Pedestrian, Bicycle, and Nature Trail
  • Heritage Trail of Madison

Forests[]

Parks[]

Illinois (Northern route)[]

Affiliated trails[]

  • Old Plank Road Trail
  • Illinois and Michigan Canal State Trail
  • Grand Illinois Trail
  • Sauk Trail Forest Preserve Trail
  • Thorn Creek Trail
  • Hennepin Canal Parkway State Trail
  • Great River Trail

Parks[]

Illinois (Southern route)[]

Affiliated trails[]

Forests[]

  • Shawnee National Forest

Parks[]

Iowa (Northern route)[]

Affiliated trails[]

Parks[]

Missouri (Southern route)[]

Affiliated trails[]

Forests[]

Parks[]

Nebraska (Northern route)[]

Affiliated trails[]

  • Pony Express National Historic Trail
  • Mormon Pioneer National Historic Trail
  • MoPac East Trail
  • Oak Creek Trail
  • Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail
  • California National Historic Trail
  • Oregon National Historic Trail

Parks[]

  • Fort Kearny State Historical Park
  • Ash Hollow State Historical Park
  • Buffalo Bill Ranch State Historical Park

Kansas (Southern route)[]

Affiliated trails[]

  • Santa Fe National Historic Trail

Parks[]

Colorado[]

Affiliated trails[]

  • Pueblo Riverwalk
  • Canon City Riverwalk
  • Cripple Creek Trails System
  • Ute Pass Trail
  • America The Beautiful Trail
  • Green Mountain Falls Bikeway
  • Sinton Trail
  • Pikes Peak Greenway
  • New Santa Fe Trail
  • Carpenter Peak Trail
  • Chatfield Trails System
  • South Platte River Trail
  • Bear Creek Greenway
  • Castle Trail
  • People's Path
  • Warren Gulch Trail
  • Spring Creek Trail
  • South Park Trail
  • Burning Bear Trail
  • Hall Valley Trail
  • Colorado Trail
  • Vail Pass Tenmile Canyon National Recreation Trail
  • Chalk Creek Trail
  • Continental Divide National Scenic Trail
  • Timberline Trail
  • Taylor Pass Trail
  • Brush Creek Trail
  • Crystal River Trail
  • Braderick Creek Trail
  • Lake Ridge Lakes Trail
  • High Trail
  • Sunlight-Powderhorn Snowmobile Trail
  • Leon Lake Trail
  • Crag Crest National Recreation Trail
  • Kannah Creek Trail
  • Old Spanish Trail
  • Colorado Riverfront Trail
  • Liberty Cap Trail
  • Black Ridge Trail
  • Monument Canyon Trail
  • Kokopelli's Trail
  • Fountain Creek Greenway
  • Cavalier Park Trail

Forests[]

  • Pike National Forest
  • Arapaho National Forest
  • San Isabel National Forest
  • Gunnison National Forest
  • White River National Forest
  • Grand Mesa National Forest

Parks[]

Utah[]

Affiliated trails[]

Forests[]

  • Dixie National Forest
  • Fishlake National Forest
  • Manti-La Sal National Forest

Parks[]

  • Canyonlands National Park
  • Capitol Reef National Park
  • Arches National Park

Nevada[]

Affiliated trails[]

  • Tahoe Rim Trail
  • Pony Express National Historic Trail
  • Mount Jefferson Trail
  • Toiyabe National Recreation Trail

Forests[]

Parks[]

California[]

Affiliated trails[]

  • Tahoe Rim Trail
  • Western States Trail
  • Pacific Crest Trail
  • Foresthill Loop Trail
  • Confluence Trail
  • Pioneer Express Trail
  • American River Bike Trail
  • Jedediah Smith National Recreation Trail
  • Delta de Anza Regional Trail
  • Stewartville Trail
  • Ridge Trail
  • Black Diamond Trail
  • Cumberland Trail
  • Black Diamond to Mt. Diablo Trail
  • Bruce Lee Trail
  • Mitchell Canyon Trail
  • Deer Flat Creek Trail
  • Prospectors Gap Trail
  • North Peak Trail
  • Summit Trail
  • Wall Point Trail
  • Briones-Mount Diablo Trail
  • Lafayette Ridge Trail
  • Homestead Valley Trail
  • Oursan Trail
  • Bear Creek Trail
  • Inspiration Trail
  • Bay Area Ridge Trail
  • Sea View Trail
  • Vollmer Peak Trail
  • Grizzly Peak Trail
  • San Francisco Bay Trail
  • SCA Trail
  • Bobcat Trail
  • Miwok Trail
  • Redwood Creek Trail
  • Deer Creek Park Fire Trail
  • Hillside Trail
  • Ben Johnson Trail
  • Stapleveldt Trail
  • Matt Davis Trail
  • Coastal Trail
  • Bolinas Ridge Trail
  • Randall Trail
  • Olema Valley Trail
  • Stewart Trail
  • Glen Trail
  • Bear Valley Trail
  • Coast Trail
  • Mokelumne Coast to Crest Trail

Parks[]

Further reading[]

  • Foot, William; Foot, Laurel. (2006) The American Discovery Trail Trail Data, American Discovery Trail Society. OCLC 285356124. Maps included: Sussex County: bicycle map; Chesapeake and Ohio Canal; American Discovery Trail, Western West Virginia and Ohio Route; and American Discovery Trail, California Route.
  • "American Discovery Trail — Linking Eastern Iowa" legis.iowa.gov.
  • Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, Senate, United States Congress. (1998) National Discovery Trails Act and National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act: Hearing Before the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, United States Senate, One Hundred Fifth Congress, Second Session on S. 1069 ... S. 1403 ... February 11, 1998. Volume 4, S. hrg, Volume 105, issue 475, United States Government Printing Office, ISBN 0160570220, 9780160570223.
  • United States Congress ; House ; Committee on Resources ; Subcommittee on National Parks and Public Lands. (1997) Hearing on H.R. 588, to amend the National Trails System Act to create a new category of long-distance trails to be known as National Discovery Trails, to authorize the American Discovery Trail as the first trail in that category, and for other purposes ; and H.R. 1513 a bill to amend the National Trails System Act to designate the Lincoln National Historic Trail as a component of the National Trails System: hearing before the Subcommittee on National Parks and Public Lands of the Committee on Resources, House of Representatives, One Hundred Fifth Congress, first session on H.R. 588 and H.R. 1513--to amend the National Trails System Act, June 10, 1997--Washington, DC. GPO, OCLC 1097536155.
  • American Hiking Society ; National Park Service. (1995) America's Trails: A Directory of Organizations and Managing Agencies 1995. American Hiking Society.
  • Lukei, Reese (1995) The American Discovery Trail: Explorer's Guide. Johnson Books, 1995, ISBN 1555661351, 9781555661359.

References[]

  1. ^ Jump up to: a b "Frequently Asked Questions". News and Information. American Discovery Trail. 2001–2010. Retrieved March 21, 2014.
  2. ^ Jump up to: a b c "American Discovery Trail Society - the only coast-to-coast, non-motorized recreational trail for hiking, biking, riding". www.discoverytrail.org. Retrieved 2017-07-19.
  3. ^ "ADT: News: The Cottrells". www.discoverytrail.org. Retrieved 2017-07-19.
  4. ^ Barbassa, Juliana (2003-08-24). "For This Pair, Road Less Traveled Is 'a Gift'". Los Angeles Times. ISSN 0458-3035. Retrieved 2017-07-19.
  5. ^ "ADT: News: The Powers". www.discoverytrail.org. Retrieved 2017-07-19.
  6. ^ "Couple finishes 4,900-mile walk across U.S." msnbc.com. 2005-10-16. Retrieved 2017-07-19.
  7. ^ Bratton, Dick (Oct 31, 2008). "Backpacker to finish 6,200 mile hike at Point Reyes" (PDF). American Discovery Trail Society. Retrieved July 17, 2017.
  8. ^ "Walking with Freedom". www.walkingwithfreedom.com. Retrieved 2017-07-19.
  9. ^ "ADT: News: Matt Parker". www.discoverytrail.org. Retrieved 2017-07-19.
  10. ^ "Ride of Passage - About Matt". www.rideofpassage.com. Retrieved 2017-07-19.
  11. ^ Morelli, B.A. (19 September 2019). "New mural celebrates local and national trail — Artwork overlooks Greene Square in Cedar Rapids". The Gazette. Retrieved 2020-02-11.
  12. ^ "Missouri". American Discovery Trail. Retrieved 22 August 2018.

External links[]

Coordinates: 39°37′32″N 105°46′56″W / 39.62556°N 105.78222°W / 39.62556; -105.78222

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