Difference between revisions of "Great Western Loop"

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{{Infobox hiking trail
 
{{Infobox hiking trail
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  | name = ?<!-- Wonderland Trail -->
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  | name = Great Western Loop
 
  | photo = ?<!-- Load Wikimedia Commons image here, ie CowlitzDivide.JPG -->
 
  | photo = ?<!-- Load Wikimedia Commons image here, ie CowlitzDivide.JPG -->
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  | caption = ?<!-- Mt Rainier from the Cowlitz Divide along the Wonderland Trail -->
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  | caption = A loop connecting some of the American West's most famous backpacking routes.
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  | location = ?<!-- [[Mount Rainier National Park]], [[Washington (state)|Washington]], [[United States]] -->
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  | location = Western United States: Arizona, California, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, and New Mexico.
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  | length = ?<!-- {{convert|93|km|mi|0|abbr=on}}<ref name="Filley">
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  | length = 6,875 miles (11,064 km)<ref name="AndrewSkurka.com">
 
     {{cite book
 
     {{cite book
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     | author = Filley, Bette
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     | author = Skurka, Andrew
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    | year = 2002
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     | title = Great Western Loop
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     | title = Discovering the Wonders of the Wonderland Trail: Encircling Mount Rainier
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     }}</ref>
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    | publisher = Dunamis House
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  | trailheads = Numerous
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    | isbn = 1-880405-09-1
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  | use = Long Distance Hiking
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    | edition = 5th
 
−
     }}</ref> -->
 
−
  | trailheads = ?<!-- [[Longmire, Washington|Longmire Lodge]] <br/> [[Mowich Lake]] <br/> Ipsut Creek Camp Ground <br/> [[Sunrise (Mount Rainier)|Sunrise parking area]] <br/> White River Camp Ground <br/> Fryingpan Creek Trailhead <br/> Box Canyon <br/> Reflection Lakes <br/> Cougar Rock -->
 
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  | use = ?<!-- [[Hiking]] -->
 
 
  | elev_gain_and_loss = ?<!-- {{convert|22000|m|ft|-2}} gain approximately<ref name="Filley"/> -->
 
  | elev_gain_and_loss = ?<!-- {{convert|22000|m|ft|-2}} gain approximately<ref name="Filley"/> -->
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  | highest = ?<!-- Panhandle Gap {{convert|6750|m|ft|-1}}<ref name="SpringManningMRNP">
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  | highest = Gray's Peak 14,278 feet (4,352 m)
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    {{cite book
 
−
    | author = Spring, Ira
 
−
    | author-link = Ira Spring
 
−
    | author-link2 = Harvey Manning
 
−
    | author2=Manning, Harvey
 
−
    | year = 1999
 
−
    | title = 50 Hikes in Mount Rainier National Park
 
−
    | publisher = The Mountaineers
 
−
    | isbn = 0-89886-572-7
 
−
    }}</ref> -->
 
 
  | lowest = ?<!-- Ipsut Creek Campground {{convert|2320|m|ft|-1}}<ref name="Filley"/> -->
 
  | lowest = ?<!-- Ipsut Creek Campground {{convert|2320|m|ft|-1}}<ref name="Filley"/> -->
 
  | direction = ? <!--Nobo, Sobo...-->
 
  | direction = ? <!--Nobo, Sobo...-->
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<!--
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{{Asbox
 
{{Asbox
 
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| image = Ambox style.png
 
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<!-- Editor, the Introduction goes here. Introductions are typically one to three paragraphs in length and provide a brief summary of the most significant and interesting facts about the trail, which are explained in great detail in the other sections of the page. -->
 
  
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'''Length:'''
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The Great Western Loop is a route circumnavigating the Western United States which connects large sections of the Pacific Crest Trail, Pacific Northwest Trail, Continental Divide Trail, Grand Enchantments Trail, and Arizona Trail.  It was created by Andrew Skurka and is one of American Hiking's most difficult accomplishments alongside the Triple Crown.
  
−
'''Standard Direction(s) of Travel:''' <!-- nobo, sobo, etc. -->
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'''Length:''' 6,875 miles (11,064 km)
  
−
'''Season:'''
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'''Standard Direction(s) of Travel:''' Clockwise
  
−
'''Trail Association:'''
+
'''Season:''' Ideally the hiker attempts to avoid the worst of winter, most low elevation and low latitude sections are best in the spring or fall, while the higher elevations and latitues are typically best in summer.
 +
 
 +
'''Trail Association:''' Many of the component trails have their own organizations, but the Great Western Loop is simply a recognized route.
  
 
== Sections ==
 
== Sections ==
−
<!-- Does the trail have recognized sections, such as the Desert/Sierra/NorCal/Oregon/Washington sections on the Pacific Crest Trail, or does it have any other commonly made divisions? Describe the route in those sections in more detail -->
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Grand Canyon NP to Morongo, CA - Self made trail - 675 mi
 +
 
 +
Morongo, CA to North Cascades NP - Pacific Crest Trail - 2415 mi
 +
 
 +
North Cascades NP to Glacier NP - Pacific Northwest Trail - 685 mi
 +
 
 +
Glacier NP to New Mexico - Continental Divide Trail - 2400 mi
 +
 
 +
New Mexico to Arizona - Grand Enchantment Trail - 350 mi
 +
 
 +
Return to Grand Canyon - Arizona Trail - 350 mi
  
 
== Water ==
 
== Water ==
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== Resupply ==
 
== Resupply ==
−
<!-- Resupply information, including list of links to LTW articles for resupply locations. -->
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Resupplies for the component trails are relatively well documented, but extreme distances or preparedness may be necessary to pass certain areas of trail without connecting to towns or businesses.
  
 
== Weather and Seasonality ==
 
== Weather and Seasonality ==
−
<!-- What type of weather should trail users expect to encounter? -->
+
Hikers can expect to encounter any and all forms of weather, as this hike spans across many biomes and a hike will take several seasons.
  
 
== Noteworthy Section Hikes ==
 
== Noteworthy Section Hikes ==
−
<!-- Popular section hikes along the trail. If the description is more than a few sentences in length, create a new article and link it here. -->
+
This hike links together several noteworthy National Scenic Trails: the Pacific Crest Trail, the Pacific Northwest Trail, the Continental Divide Trail,
 +
the Grand Enchantments Trail, and the Arizona Trail. Within those trails you can find the John Muir Trail and the Grand Canyon Rim-to-Rim.
  
 
== Permits and Regulations ==
 
== Permits and Regulations ==
−
<!-- Permitting requirements and agencies, camping regulations, campfire restrictions, etc. -->
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Permits are required for protected wilderness areas along the route.
  
 
== Maps ==  
 
== Maps ==  
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=== Websites ===
 
=== Websites ===
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<!-- Ie www.pcta.org/discover-the-trail -->
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https://andrewskurka.com/adventures/great-western-loop/overview/
 +
 
 +
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dicLxgFP6nI - Andrew Skurka Youtube Talk
 +
 
 +
https://thetrek.co/the-great-western-loop/ - Trip Report by Emma Rosenfeld
 +
 
 +
https://www.garagegrowngear.com/blogs/trends-top-10/the-great-western-loop - Trip Report by Jeff Garmire
 +
 
 +
https://www.justagermanhiker.com/blog/categories/great-western-loop-2021 - JustAGermanHiker Trip Report
 +
 
 +
https://www.outsideonline.com/outdoor-adventure/hiking-and-backpacking/nick-gagnon-great-western-loop-record/ - Nick Gagnon FKT Report
 +
 
 +
https://chezwicktreks.com/ - Trip Reports by "Chezwick"
 +
 
 +
https://besthike.com/2019/04/02/legend-hiked-the-great-western-loop/
 +
 
 +
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=skdOBa91Msc - Video by "Legend" from a thru-hike
 +
 
 +
https://faroutguides.com/my-great-western-loop-story-by-crystal-gail-welcome/ - Trip Report by Crystal Gail
 +
 
 +
https://fastestknowntime.com/route/great-western-loop
 +
 
 +
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Western_Loop
  
 
=== Apps ===
 
=== Apps ===
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== Getting To and From the Trail ==
 
== Getting To and From the Trail ==
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<!-- Public transit, trailheads, road crossings, etc. -->
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The trail is a loop and can be accessed from many points, which are documented under its component trails.
  
 
== Geographic Features ==
 
== Geographic Features ==
−
<!-- Mountain rangers, rivers, deserts, glaciers, etc. -->
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The noteworthy features this trail crosses are almost too numerous to list and include the Colorado Desert, the Mojave Desert, the Sierra Nevada, the Cadcade Range, the Rocky Mountains, the Grand Canyon, and more.
  
 
== Administrative Territories ==
 
== Administrative Territories ==
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== External Links ==
 
== External Links ==
−
 
+
https://andrewskurka.com/adventures/great-western-loop/overview/
 
<!-- Add [[Category:]] links here. For a list of existing categories, see http://www.longtrailswiki.net/wiki/Special:Categories -->
 
<!-- Add [[Category:]] links here. For a list of existing categories, see http://www.longtrailswiki.net/wiki/Special:Categories -->

Latest revision as of 22:36, 12 September 2023

Great Western Loop
264px
A loop connecting some of the American West's most famous backpacking routes.
Length6,875 miles (11,064 km)[1]
LocationWestern United States: Arizona, California, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, and New Mexico.
TrailheadsNumerous
Elevation
Elevation gain/loss?
Highest pointGray's Peak 14,278 feet (4,352 m)
Lowest point?
Hiking details
Season?
Months?
Website?
Direction?



The Great Western Loop is a route circumnavigating the Western United States which connects large sections of the Pacific Crest Trail, Pacific Northwest Trail, Continental Divide Trail, Grand Enchantments Trail, and Arizona Trail. It was created by Andrew Skurka and is one of American Hiking's most difficult accomplishments alongside the Triple Crown.

Length: 6,875 miles (11,064 km)

Standard Direction(s) of Travel: Clockwise

Season: Ideally the hiker attempts to avoid the worst of winter, most low elevation and low latitude sections are best in the spring or fall, while the higher elevations and latitues are typically best in summer.

Trail Association: Many of the component trails have their own organizations, but the Great Western Loop is simply a recognized route.

Sections

Grand Canyon NP to Morongo, CA - Self made trail - 675 mi

Morongo, CA to North Cascades NP - Pacific Crest Trail - 2415 mi

North Cascades NP to Glacier NP - Pacific Northwest Trail - 685 mi

Glacier NP to New Mexico - Continental Divide Trail - 2400 mi

New Mexico to Arizona - Grand Enchantment Trail - 350 mi

Return to Grand Canyon - Arizona Trail - 350 mi

Water

Resupply

Resupplies for the component trails are relatively well documented, but extreme distances or preparedness may be necessary to pass certain areas of trail without connecting to towns or businesses.

Weather and Seasonality

Hikers can expect to encounter any and all forms of weather, as this hike spans across many biomes and a hike will take several seasons.

Noteworthy Section Hikes

This hike links together several noteworthy National Scenic Trails: the Pacific Crest Trail, the Pacific Northwest Trail, the Continental Divide Trail, the Grand Enchantments Trail, and the Arizona Trail. Within those trails you can find the John Muir Trail and the Grand Canyon Rim-to-Rim.

Permits and Regulations

Permits are required for protected wilderness areas along the route.

Maps

Online Maps

Printed Maps

Information Resources

Websites

https://andrewskurka.com/adventures/great-western-loop/overview/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dicLxgFP6nI - Andrew Skurka Youtube Talk

https://thetrek.co/the-great-western-loop/ - Trip Report by Emma Rosenfeld

https://www.garagegrowngear.com/blogs/trends-top-10/the-great-western-loop - Trip Report by Jeff Garmire

https://www.justagermanhiker.com/blog/categories/great-western-loop-2021 - JustAGermanHiker Trip Report

https://www.outsideonline.com/outdoor-adventure/hiking-and-backpacking/nick-gagnon-great-western-loop-record/ - Nick Gagnon FKT Report

https://chezwicktreks.com/ - Trip Reports by "Chezwick"

https://besthike.com/2019/04/02/legend-hiked-the-great-western-loop/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=skdOBa91Msc - Video by "Legend" from a thru-hike

https://faroutguides.com/my-great-western-loop-story-by-crystal-gail-welcome/ - Trip Report by Crystal Gail

https://fastestknowntime.com/route/great-western-loop

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Western_Loop

Apps

Guidebooks

Other

Getting To and From the Trail

The trail is a loop and can be accessed from many points, which are documented under its component trails.

Geographic Features

The noteworthy features this trail crosses are almost too numerous to list and include the Colorado Desert, the Mojave Desert, the Sierra Nevada, the Cadcade Range, the Rocky Mountains, the Grand Canyon, and more.

Administrative Territories

Online Communities

References

  1. ↑ Skurka, Andrew. Great Western Loop.

External Links

https://andrewskurka.com/adventures/great-western-loop/overview/

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