The Far End of the Trail
Hikers exploring the southern terminus of the Great Plains Trail are in for something of a jolt. Rising some 3000 feet above the surrounding Chihuahuan Desert, 8749-foot Guadalupe Peak is the highest peak in Texas and the high point of the GPT. It is an uplifted reef stabbing into the sky above the ancient Permian […]
The GPT – A Destination Trail
World’s Newest Destination Trail The Great Plains Trail is destined to become one of the greatest destination trails in the world. Once that happens, it will join such venerable long distance paths as: The Continental Divide Trail The Colorado Trail The Appalachian Trail The Pacific Crest Trail The Katy Trail Active Travelers’ Paradise Destination […]
Giving Tuesday
Tomorrow, November 29th is known as “Giving Tuesday.” It follows in the tradition of “Black Friday,” and more recently, “Cyber Monday.” The goal of Giving Tuesday is for as many people as possible to give time and/or money to the charities of their choice. This year for Giving Tuesday, please consider a gift to Great […]
Great Plains Trail Map
The map is finally here!!!! I know what you’re thinking – what took you so long?! Never mind that. It’s here! I’ve posted it to the website, and here is a copy of that page with the link to the map below. Please let me know in the comments section what you think, and what […]
Photo of the Week – August 11, 2016 — The Prairie Ecologist
I made a quick trip up to the Niobrara Valley Preserve this week. As always, there was a treasure trove of unexpected finds. Here are some of them. How many of you noticed the small larva in the above photo? I didn’t, until I was going through the photos on the computer the day after […] […]
Strider’s Final Journal Entry
I post Strider’s final journal entry in its entirety here. It’s a fine read, and a nice closure of an epic adventure that took time, money, planning, and no small amount of gumption to execute. Here’s to Strider! The first ever thru hiker of the Great Plains Trail! I’m up earlier than normal, maybe out […]
A Map in the Works
Following the excitement of the first thru hike of the GPT, the goal is now to produce a reasonably workable map for possible future hikers. The map should be completed sometime this summer in time for the fall southbound hiking season, should anyone decide to give it a go. There will also be some narrative […]
Mission Accomplished!
Luke Jordan, aka Strider, has completed the first ever thru hike of the Great Plains Trail! He did it in impressive fashion, finishing the nearly 2100 miles in 85 days, an average of over 24 miles per day. All throughout, he maintained a workman like attitude, rising early, and knocking out the miles, but more […]
Update: First GPT Thru Hike
Luke “Strider” Jordan has been sailing along and is having a grand adventure as the first ever GPT thru hiker. He has conquered Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Colorado, Nebraska, and as I write this, he is already half way through South Dakota. As mentioned, the best way to track him is through his Facebook Page: […]
Book Review: Trespassing Across America
A new book by author Ken Ilgunas comes out this month. It’s called, Trespassing Across America – One Man’s Epic Never Before Done (and Sort of Illegal) Hike Across the Heartland. Right off the bat, you’ve gotta love that title. Actually, there’s very little not to love about the book as it follows the […]
The First Thru Hike of the GPT!
Luke Jordan, trail name “Strider” is marching along on the first ever thru hike of the Great Plains Trail! Luke gained thru hiker notoriety three years ago when he completed the North Country Trail as a non stop end-to-end thru hike – one of just a handful of people to have done so. Now he’s […]
Support GPTA
Now you can support GPTA when you purchase things on Amazon. Their program AmazonSmile allows you to choose Great Plains Trail Alliance as a charitable organization, and they will donate 0.5% of the purchase price to GPTA! Pretty cool, huh? Follow the link below for more information: https://smile.amazon.com/ch/45-4207903
