“[A]ge cannot extinguish our thirst or capacity for adventures on foot.”
Frequently Asked Questions
-
I’m walking the entire American Discovery Trail (ADT) westbound, taking the Northern Route. This is a roughly 6,800-mile coast-to-coast journey from Cape Henlopen State Park in Delaware on the Atlantic Ocean to Point Reyes National Seashore in California on the Pacific Ocean.
The northern route passes through 14 states. Highlights include the historic trails of Maryland and Pennsylvania, the farmlands and rail-trails of Indiana, Illinois, and Iowa, the wide-open plains of Nebraska, the Rocky Mountains, and the high deserts and mountains of Utah, Nevada, and California.
-
You can follow my progress right here on the website. I will be updating the website and posting a travelogue beginning in April after I have gotten my trail legs under me!
For those of you who have asked about providing me with a little Trail Magic* along the way, you can send it via this link or on Venmo @themodped.
__________
*Trail Magic: Trail Magic is a beloved term used by long-distance hikers for unexpected acts of kindness from strangers (often called “Trail Angels”). It can be anything that makes the journey a little easier or brighter — a cooler full of cold drinks and snacks at a road crossing, a ride into town, a hot meal, a place to stay, or even just an encouraging note. It’s one of the special things that makes walking across the country feel magical!
-
The American Discovery Trail Northern Route is approximately 4,844 miles long (often rounded to about 4,800–4,850 miles). Most people who thru-hike the full ADT take between 8 and 12 months, depending on their daily mileage, weather, rest days, and how much time they spend in towns along the way.
I started my westbound journey in March 2026 and am hoping to reach the Pacific Ocean by the end of October 2026 — roughly an eight or nine month adventure. I’m keeping a steady, sustainable pace so I can really experience the journey. I’ll keep everyone updated right here on the site!
-
The easiest ways to reach me are by email at katie@themodped.com, or by text or phone call. I also love receiving postcards! You can mail them (or anything else) to:
The Mod Ped
108 E FM 2410 Rd Ste F-188
Harker Heights, TX 76548
-
I’ve put a lot of thought into my setup to keep it lightweight, comfortable, and reliable for the thousands of miles ahead on the ADT. Here are some of the highlights from my current kit:
I’ll be providing more complete listings, detailed descriptions, and direct links so you can check out (or order) any of these items yourself in future travelogues. Stay tuned!
*affiliate link