A Journey Through Nature and Conservation

The Great Western Trek is dedicated to exploring breathtaking backpacking routes that combine established long-distance trails to inspire and shed light on the vital issues facing our trails and wild spaces. The idea is to emphasize the importance of conservation while connecting to the rich beauty of America's most precious landscapes.

Connecting to the Land

The Grand Western Trek is a two-year, long-distance backpacking adventure weaving together sections of five of America’s most iconic trails: the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT), the Continental Divide Trail (CDT), the Pacific Northwest Trail (PNW), the Arizona Trail, and the rugged Hayduke Trail. From the deserts of the Southwest to the alpine passes of the Northern Rockies and the forests of the Pacific Northwest, this route traverses some of the most ecologically diverse and visually stunning landscapes on the continent.

But this trek is more than a physical journey—it’s a deep engagement with the land and the challenges it faces. Along the way, I will highlight the conservation issues that shape the American West:

Water scarcity and drought in the Colorado Plateau
Species reintroduction, recovery and habitat restoration
Forest fires and the ecological consequences of megafires across western forests
Habitat fragmentation and wildlife corridor protection in the Rockies
Public land management conflicts and the future of recreation
Indigenous stewardship and the return of land management to tribal nations

As I hike, I will be posting field notes, reflections, and photographs that bring these stories to life—images of vast wilderness and delicate detail, human impact and natural resilience. I aim to foster connection, curiosity, and care for the lands we too often take for granted.