Five Shorter Thru-Hikes to Consider in 2021
If you’re looking to go on a thru-hike this year, there’s a lot to think about. How can I find the 4-6 months needed to hike a long trail? How can I budget for that much hiking? What if the trails are too crowded? Then of course, there’s the continuing issues with COVID-19.
Chances are your thru-hiking plans for 2020 did not go the way you thought they would. Thru-hiking was just as affected by the unprecedented global pandemic as every other aspect of our lives. If you had big thru-hiking plans that fell through, you are no doubt feeling disappointed, let down, and empty as the year comes to a close. This time last year, you were probably getting together gear lists and resupply strategies. You were looking at maps and guide books, excitedly planning out your big adventure for 2020.
With the disappointment you feel now and the uncertainty surrounding the pandemic that remains as we enter 2021, you might feel reluctant to get excited about your big, epic adventure all over again. What if the prospect of doing a 4-6 month thru-hike through many areas, towns, and even states is still too risky or irresponsible? What if it is possible, but massive crowds of hikers also eager to make up for the lost 2020 season make the thought of getting on one of the "Big Three" trails of long-distance hiking less exciting? Well, lucky for you, there are plenty of smaller, lesser-known, equally awesome trails all over the United States that are out there, just waiting for you to hike them!
In this article, we offer you five such trails, with all the information you'd need to decide which one is right for you. We tried to select shorter trails that can realistically be done in smaller periods and with minimal in-town resupplying to account for possible logistical issues with the pandemic. If travel and contact with many people are still concerns for you this hiking season, rest assured these trails will offer you opportunities to get out into the backcountry, thru-hike an entire trail, and remain as isolated as possible. The shorter length of these trails means that even if they see a little more popularity than usual, those numbers can be spread out over the entire season. At any given time, each of these trails is sure to be much less populated than the AT, PCT, or CDT. We also selected five trails that are spread out over different regions of the US. Hopefully, this will help you find one that is relatively close to where you live, so you don't need to get on a plane and make a huge trip out of a hike.
Yes, we tried to choose some "lesser-known" trails, but please don't get upset if they're trails you've heard of before! Thru-hiking is as popular as it's ever been and only growing more-so; everybody has heard of everything at this point. The purpose of this article is to offer you, the potential 2021 hiker who isn't quite sure where to go or what to hike, some great, shorter, lesser-hiked options that are sure to give you the awesome adventure you may have missed in 2020.
Uinta Highline Trail - Southwest
Distance/estimated time: 100 miles, 5-7 days
Difficulty: Strenuous
Location: Uinta Mountains, just East of Salt Lake City, UT
Season: Mid-June to Late-September
Photos courtesy of Ryan “Kodak” Brown
If you're a regular reader of this website, you've probably heard of this one before, given that Team OE hiked and then documented this trail back in July. Our contributors Einstein and Kodak wrote a photo essay about their UHT experience, although that article didn't give as many logistical specifics of hiking this trail. If you're looking for an incredibly remote, backcountry experience, the UHT is the hike for you.
Chances are, on your 100-mile hike through this East-to-West range in the Rocky Mountains, you'll encounter more wildlife than people. Beautiful, alpine lakes are nestled between rocky, steep, and challenging mountain passes - many of which are over 11,000 feet. It should be noted - this is a challenging trail - experience in alpine conditions is probably best if you're going to go for this one. Hiking in the middle of the summer provides ideal weather conditions and minimal snow, but it comes with a caveat - storms. Afternoon thunderstorms can become dangerous and require the knowledge of taking proper shelter during intense thunder, lightning, and rain.
Still, warnings aside, this trail is well worth the tough terrain and finicky conditions. Beautiful wildflowers, fresh air, excellent camping, and rare wildlife (moose in Utah!) make for an all-encompassing hike. Those who have explored Southern Utah's canyons and deserts will be shocked to find that the same state also has lush, deep forests and mountains to offer as well.
For a closer look at the UHT, check out Outdoor Evolution Founder and Contributor Darwin on the Trail's videos on the Team OE hike this summer.
Timberline Trail - Pacific Northwest
Distance/estimated time: 41 miles, 2-4 days
Difficulty: Moderate
Location: Mount Hood, Oregon, just East of Portland
Season: Mid-June to Late-September
The shortest hike on our list, the Timberline Trail is a perfect hike for a long weekend, especially if you live in the Pacific Northwest. This trail circumnavigates Mt. Hood, the highest peak in Oregon. The high mountain setting provides fantastic views for the whole loop, which goes through dense forests, has several climbs, and plenty of stream crossings.
This hike is excellent to give a hiker a taste of hiking in the Cascade Volcanic Arc. The stream crossings can be dangerous, and depending on what time of year you hike, there may be some slick ice and snow sections that require microspikes or crampons. Despite this trail's short distance, it isn't a hike to be taken lightly!
For an intimate look at a Timberline Trail thru-hike, we once again turn to Darwin.
Pinhoti Trail - Southeast
Distance/estimated time: 335 miles, 2-3 weeks
Difficulty: Moderate
Location: Alabam and Georgia
Season: March through October
The longest trail on our list, the Pinhoti, is a great way to get that authentic thru-hike feeling. This trail can easily take a month to hike if you want it to, so if you're looking to get out into the wilderness and live there for a little bit, the Pinhoti is an excellent option. It begins at Flagg Mountain - considered by most to be the Southernmost peak of the Appalachian Mountains chain. It ends in a familiar area - only 70 miles West of Springer Mountain - the Southern Terminus of the Appalachian Trail.
This trail will give you all of the Southern Appalachian mountains' aesthetics and beauty without the crowds of the AT. If you're trying to get an experience more rooted in solitude but still hike in an area historically known for its excellent trails, get on the Pinhoti!
Once again, for some gear tips for hiking the Pinhoti Trail, we refer to our resident gear junkie - Darwin!
Superior Hiking Trail - Midwest
Distance/estimated time: 310 miles, 2-3 weeks
Difficulty: Moderate
Location: Northeast Minnesota
Season: Late May to Late September
Photos courtesy of Ajay “Juice” Pickett
For this trail, which navigates its way along the length of Lake Superior, we defer to a friend of Outdoor Evolution and SHT thru-hiker, Ajay "Juice" Pickett.
Most hikers have a special connection with the first trial they thru-hike; for me, that trail was the Superior Hiking Trail. I first section hiked the 310-mile trail over the course of a year and then went back and broke the Unsupported FKT (Fastest Known Time) in 2018. The SHT is a seriously underrated trail with many types of lush forests, creeks, waterfalls, overlooks, and wildlife, not to mention it parallels the world's largest freshwater lake (by surface area), Lake Superior, for most of the trail.
On paper, the 37,000 feet of elevation gain over 310 miles doesn't seem like a ton but don't let that fool you; the terrain is very challenging. Most of the trail is covered in rocks and roots, which in combination with the elevation gain, make it a pretty difficult trial. Be aware of the bug season; although mosquitoes are big enough to carry you down the trail, it's rarely in the right direction. The Superior Hiking Trail is a great trail to prepare you for the challenges of all trails…At once. If the SHT is not on your list of trails to thru-hike, it should be!
As he mentioned, Juice set the Unsupported FKT for the SHT in 2018. He put out a video of the successful attempt, which also highlights everything that makes the SHT a trail you don't want to miss. Check it out for an in-depth, up close look at what the SHT and an SHT thru-hike look like!
Long Trail - Northeast
Distance/estimated time: 273 miles, 2-3 weeks
Difficulty: Strenuous
Location: Green Mountains, Vermont
Season: May through October
Of every trail on this list, we're willing to bet that this is the most likely one you've heard of before. Constructed in the early 20th century, the LT is the oldest long-distance hiking trail in the country and thus one of the most well known. Still, overshadowed by it's a much longer compatriot, the AT, the Long Trail is often only known for the 100 miles it shares with the much more popular long-distance trail. Wouldn't you know, the LT actually served as the original inspiration for what eventually became the AT.
Those who have hiked the LT will tell you that those 100 miles are only a teaser of all that the whole trail has to offer. Running the length of Vermont's entire state from Massachusetts to Canada, this trail stays in the dense, remote, and beautiful Green Mountains. LT thru-hikers will be treated to many alpine peaks, backcountry lakes and ponds, and lush, evergreen forests.
This trail gets difficult. It's got plenty of those infamous, steep, rugged New England mountain climbs. Reaching every summit will challenge any hiker. As is often the case, though, the climbs are worth the effort. There's plenty of wildlife out there too. Hikers looking for a remote experience should consider the LT.
The famous mud of Vermont shortens this trail's hiking season more than trails in similar climates. Typically the mud is too soft during late Spring, and the local trail maintenance club, the Green Mountain Boys, asks that hikers wait until early Summer for the mud to harden before getting out on the trail. Waiting until Fall will probably give a hiker their best possible experience on the LT. Some of the best Autumn leaves in the world grace the Green Mountains every year from late September through October. Just be prepared for some cold nights up there!
For a closer look at the Long Trail, check out friend of OE’s MeowHikes video from his Long Trail hike in 2018!