American Discovery Trail- Atlantic to Pacific

[crazystick]

I hiked the southern Illinois portion, a two week trip also referred to as the " river to river" trail as it spans from the Missouri to the Mississippi river across Illinois. It was a nice trail very beautiful country. Alot of road hiking but it's better than it used to be, I would say that section was 30% road. The trail was in horrible shape, poor trail markers, alot of forks without markers of what trail was what, even my maps were off at times because of updates. And the horses tore the trail apart into essentially mud pits. Out of ten I would rate that section of the ADT as a 5. But the scenery and wilderness an 8.

[Lion King]

I hiked the southern Illinois portion, a two week trip also referred to as the " river to river" trail as it spans from the Missouri to the Mississippi river across Illinois. It was a nice trail very beautiful country. Alot of road hiking but it's better than it used to be, I would say that section was 30% road. The trail was in horrible shape, poor trail markers, alot of forks without markers of what trail was what, even my maps were off at times because of updates. And the horses tore the trail apart into essentially mud pits. Out of ten I would rate that section of the ADT as a 5. But the scenery and wilderness an 8.

And that my friend, is what about 60% of the trail is like, as far as unmarked, thus my route finding and alt routes.

I tell others it is very important to talk to locals/rangers/Forest service etc... and find out about new rails to trails (They were there but not in the guides when I hiked, but I think they are there now), or even newly built trail systems that can be used instead of road walking.

If each ADT hiker does this, it will make it a lot smoother for those that follow in our bootsteps.