by Melanie McManus | Jul 29, 2022 | Continental Divide 2022, Trail Journals
I can’t believe I’m getting ready to start a section-hike of the CDT, or Continental Divide Trail. It’s one of the Triple Crown trails within the 11 National Scenic Trails, along with the Appalachian Trail and the Pacific Crest Trail. It’s also...
by Melanie McManus | Aug 1, 2022 | Hiking, Stories
Read This Article, Published in the Star Tribune My quest to hike all 11 National Scenic Trails hit a snag when I started my thru-hike of NST #5: the Potomac Heritage Trail. It was March 2020 and … I’m sure you know where this is going. The COVID-19...
by Melanie McManus | Aug 20, 2024 | By Location, Colorado, Continental Divide 2022, Trail Journals, United States
Unlike my normal hiking routine, I didn’t head to Monarch Pass the day after I arrived in Colorado. Instead, I gave myself an extra day in Salida to acclimate (a little) to the altitude. I stayed at the Salida Hostel on the edge of town. I arrived Sunday night, after...
by Melanie McManus | Aug 24, 2021 | Maryland, Potomac Heritage Trail 2020-21, Trail Journals
This afternoon I hiked from Dynard Elementary School to Leonardtown, Maryland, and I couldn’t have been more excited. Because I’m back on the PHT, baby! In my previous post, dated March 18, 2020, I’d arrived in Leonardtown just six days into what was to be a...
by Melanie McManus | Sep 2, 2021 | Potomac Heritage Trail 2020-21, Trail Journals, Virginia
Today’s goal was Mason Neck, although that wasn’t the original plan. Yesterday, today and tomorrow were/will be scattered itineraries, thanks to Hurricane Ida and some other issues. So today, I’d hoped to hike yesterday’s planned itinerary, which was to hike from the...
