Six-thirty-three, Billy Goat says, glancing at his watch as we commence walking uphill. The only sound is the clink of small metal squares attached to a fence paralleling the border that are engraved with messages denouncing illegal immigration. In 1990, he undertook the trail with kneepads and a guide dog, Orient, in lieu of map and compass. "Something hidden. I sure do like it here in Stehekin, he says. Oh, its just wonderful!. The Billy Goat trail is one of the most popular and well-known hikes in the DMV area. But he still didnt feel hed satisfied his dad. This 60-plus hiker has walked the Appalachian Trail 17 times since 1972. He is a legend in the small but growing fraternity of ultra-long-distance backpackers, renowned for his stamina and trail knowledge and envied for a single-minded devotion to living outdoors. 7. And in 2013, a kidney stone lodged itself in his innards, painfully, forcing him to abandon the PCT and rush to the VA hospital in Seattle, stopping every so often to vomit. Most thru-hikers complete one long trail, savor the achievement, and move on with life. There is one concession Billy Goat is willing to make: He can see himself transitioning from mountainous trails to flatter ones more congenial to his heart. Eventually, Billy Goat musters enough energy to set up his tent. Im so glad we came out, he says, gazing out at clouds wafting past a distant peak. I'm not out for a weekend," he said, settling in for the night under a fire-scarred tree next to a gurgling creek and surrounded by the rugged granite outcroppings of the Dome Land Wilderness. It only takes a day to pass through, but the incredible terrain and mountain views get seared into one's memory. The dirt is soft under our boots and when we come to a little gap in the trees, Billy Goat rejoices. Not surprising since he spends most of his days on a trail somewhere. After retiring from the railroad at the age of 50, Billy Goat spent most of his time on trails. Oh, he says, theyve seen old Billy Goat one too many times.. He also published a memoir of his experience in the book Walking With Spring. She told her adult children that she was going for a walk and started the thru-hike wearing a simple pair of Keds sneakers, and carrying nothing but a blanket, a raincoat and a plastic sheet inside a homemade denim bag. Wildflowers are abundant, so be sure to enjoy the views on the ground just as much as the views up above. The mother of ultralight backpacking was also a mother of 11 and grandmother of 23. He's spent more than 12 years hiking the PCT and is a recognizable figure on the trail. Hes not out for a wander. He hiked the PCT across Oregon for a 2005 series for the paper and has been with PCTA since 2010. Billy Goat has never read any of Muir's prose. In the Hiking Pioneers series, I will be exploring hikers past to present who have done amazing things in the hiking community. Hell record how long each of our rest stops are. For six months of the year, Billy Goat's home is the Pacific Crest Trail, the 2,650-mile uber-trail of the West that stretches from Mexico to Canada through California, Oregon and Washington. The clouds are lifting!, A few minutes later, Billy Goat and I are out on the Pacific Crest Trail, in the cool woods, striding amid damp ferns glistening in the late afternoon light. He has walked across the South and the Southwest, the Northeast and the West. Slow and steady wins the race. Hood, Sandy Glacier Headwall . When I was 10 or 12 years old, I figured the rest of the world was just one big city. Equal parts backpacking food and ultralight gear. Meet the 14 most famoushikers. All the memories I have when Im out here are positive. He tells me that in recent years hes grown closer to Toby, his son. To streamline the tedious process of signing his name in trail registers, Billy Goat inks a rubber stamp and leaves his red goat insignia in trail registers. Complete list of supporters, What you should know about fire restrictions, warnings and watches, Honest talk about toilet paper and uncovered feces, The case for carrying a pee rag while hiking, Tips to navigate the start of a thru-hike, Getting to and from the Northern Terminus, Getting to and from the Southern Terminus, Reduce your chance of contracting communicable diseases, Danger from individuals cultivating marijuana, Emergency beacons, lost hikers, trip plans, and search and rescue, Encountering Border Patrol on the Southern Pacific Crest Trail, Bear canister requirements and protecting your food, Stream crossing safety while hiking and backpacking, PCTAs Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, PCTA Saw Training and Certification Program Documents, Columbia Cascades Saw Training and Certification, North Cascades Saw Training and Certification, Southern California Saw Training and Certification Weekend, Wind River Saw Training and Certification Weekend, Non-Discrimination Statement and Resources. 439. 9. Billy Goat enjoying the PCT from Glen Pass, 2005. Two years later, Buddy was on the trail again conquering the Pacific Crest Trail along with his parents. Jennifer is most active on Facebook and Instagram. He is 77 years old and, ever since retiring at age 49, he has hiked roughly 150 days a year. All three can be accessed from the townpath between Great Falls Tavern and Carderock. In 1921, he came up with the idea for a utopic hiking path along the ridgelines of the Appalachian mountains. Casual trailside conversations have left many with the impression that hes simply the PCTs gentle and beloved grandfather. Nothing more. Something lost behind the Ranges. Billy Goat has hiked more than 32,000 miles -- which would have taken him around the world and a third of the way again. Were climbing now, gaining 2,000 feet over 5 miles on our way to 6,800-foot Cutthroat Pass, and the sun has escaped the clouds. Get Directions. Enjoy views of many peaks as you walk through the forest in the Billy Goat drainage. He wrote the details of his 1948 odyssey in a journal that is today displayed in the Smithsonians National Museum of American History. Get access to more than 30 brands, premium video, exclusive content, events, mapping, and more. The most venerated hiker in PCT history is outside, however, standing beside the large wooden sign that welcomes visitors to Rainy Pass trailhead. One man kept telling Billy Goat that as soon as he retired, he was going to Florida with his wife. When Hikers Die, Why Are We So Quick to Judge. . Daily life is rendered primeval -- food, water, shelter and miles are all that matter. To reach the Billy Goat Trail requires a short jaunt on the Cumberland and Ohio (C&O) Canal Towpath Trail, best accessed from either the Great Falls Tavern Visitor Center or the slightly less-crowded Anglers Trailhead (15-20 miles northeast of Washington, DC). I met Billy this > past summer on the JMT while hiking up Pinchot Pass. Member. The book was eventually adapted into a comedy film starring Robert Redford and Nick Nolte in the roles of Bryson and Katz. Billy Goat is a legend; his name well-known by any serious hiker. For a moment he just sits there, gasping, his head pressed to his knees. "This is sovereign America," one declares. As we make our way down the road toward the boat dock, I try not to worry about him. billy goat March 13, 2016. Posts. Stay tuned as I plan to hike from Stehekin to the Canadian border later this summer and complete my goal of hiking every inch of the Pacific Crest Trail. We <3 you Billy Goat! Heather Anderson, known on the trail as Anish, is one of the top female hikers and among the fastest long-distance hikers to set foot on the trail. Join Outside+ to get access to exclusive content, 1,000s of training plans, and more. Full coverage of Australia. Cheese, bread, pickles, pears, nuts. We had to hike every day and not take breaks. Reisinger also credits good health, previous experience (shes logged over 6,000 miles on the AT alone), and an active lifestyle complete with canoeing, gardening, and tap dancing. The next morning, he boards an Amtrak train. Youll always be my son.. When you do that, all the other trappings of life fade away.". Perhaps because Im not his son, I sense a nearly unwavering lightness about Billy Goat. Pharr Davis completed her first thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail in 2005 and wrote about the journey in her book Becoming Odyssa. The triple-crowner has logged over 32,000 miles and has become a legend among long-distance hikers. Why This 5-Time Appalachian Trail Thru-Hiker Will Never Attempt the PCT, Atmospheric Rivers Pound California, Closing Multiple Parks and Recreation Sites, Missing Appalachian Trail Hikers Body Found in Shenandoah, Park Officials Say. Hike Trails Map. Im sure I met him, but I meet lots of people on and off the trail. I decided I was safe. Hes almost there on both counts. The Goat Rocks Wilderness drapes over the crest of the Cascade Range in South-Central Washington, offering endless views of iconic Cascade peaks and volcanoes. But he equates it to gardening. My mother used to call me that. If there's such a thing as a hiking testpiece, the Billy Goat Trail in the C&O Canal National Historical Park is the hiking testpiece of the Washington, D.C. area. I dont want to die anywhere.. The writings contained in a log book at the PCT trail head glow with anticipation. What happens when he must stop? He has walked across the South and the Southwest, the Northeast and the. Prep for PCT because hiking over 2,000 miles takes some planning. He proposes that I go ahead and meet him in Stehekin. Outlook. Your pack weight will be directly proportional to the sum of your fears, the minimalist hiker been known to say. Hes now in his late 70s and still on trail as of the 2015 season. Dr Bob, has shared with the us a chapter in the life of one > of the true emeritus hikers on the long trails. I just lie around and do nothing and I cant seem to pull myself out of it, he says. Check back often for news about the trail. After thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail, Chris Cage created Greenbelly to provide fast, filling and balanced meals to backpackers. In my opinion, the more fast-paced and overstimulated the world becomes, the more important it will be to take a walk in the woods. The One Subscription to Fuel All Your Adventures. Why is he such a legend? The beautiful thing about long trails and the mountains is that they are what you need them to be, even if you dont know what you need them to be. 1 / 11. I would think Im a loner more than not.. Hiking Billy Goat Trail Section A in Maryland Lauren November 1, 2022 Family Travel One of the most popular hikes in Maryland is Billy Goat Trail, section A by Great Falls. When asked about the best section on trail, many PCT thru-hikers will say Goat Rocks. Wild. The Hiking Life is a compilation of tips and advice on trip planning, lightweight backpacking techniques, and improving your wilderness skill set. Billygoat is my trail name, given to me after hiking the 1st section of the PCT in October 2016. Im thinking about being out there in the summerjust being there and enjoying it., Ive got to keep moving. male billy goats have long beards, right? At an annual gathering of the American Long Distance Hiking Association-West, as younger trail fanatics slept in warm beds inside a comfy lodge, escaping the autumn chill on Californias Donner Pass, Billy Goat slumbered beneath a towering pine tree, using only a scrap of Tyvek for shelter. It was just a matter of getting the numbers lined up. He worked on and off as a railroad consultant for a few years, making the jobs work around his hiking schedule. Since it is the first . The book is in the process of being adapted for the screen. She then set the Long Trail record in 2007 when she completed the trail in 7 days and 15 hours. Something really bad happened with his mother. Following this record, Pharr Davis was nominated as one of National Geographic's Adventurers of the Year in 2012 and wrote a memoir entitled Called Again about her record-breaking hike. Billy Goat has hiked more than 32,000 miles -- which would have taken him around the world and a third of the way again. Thats awesome! Billy Goat, a retired railroad conductor from Maine, has hiked the entire length of the PCT eight times and most of the route two additional times. This woman wanted me to do these breathing exercises, he says, speaking of the therapist. Born January 28, 1939, George Woodard grew up in Maine and moved to New Hampshire right after high school. He set out with his guide dog Orient on a journey many considered to be crazy. Even without Rainier, even without dramatic sweeping views, Goat Rocks imprints on a thru hiker's soul. Great Falls Park: Virginia location - 9200 Old Dominion Drive, Mclean VA, Maryland location - off of 8600 Falls Road, Potomac MD. Begins: Apr 24, 2013 Any 50+ hikers with experience and bits of advice? 20 check-ins. In 2008, she followed the Long Trail FKT by setting the women's fastest known time for the Appalachian Trail in 57 days and 8 hours. 12. r/socalhiking. Many people say the Goat Rocks Wilderness and the Knife's Edge Trail in Washington are the most beautiful and scenic sections of the Pacific Crest Trail. Generally, the trail vibe is fun . Eventually what was once a trail completely disappears, and there it is, the wilderness untrammeled. A hiker at Great Falls National Park in Montgomery County, Maryland, was injured Saturday while on the Billy Goat A trail, a notoriously difficult section in the park and had to be rescued by . That hike was pure joy, said Jardine of that third thru-hike. Master the Art of the Car Shuttle. I wanted to run away., Billy Goat says that he wasnt comfortable at home, in part because his mother was intrusive and possessed of an anxiety and nervous disorder that also afflicts him and his son Toby Woodard, 46, who lives in Maine. Along rocky ridgelines and through rain forests. Its hypothermia weather. Its easy to imagine him growing long hair and escaping to a mountain meadow. Shelter: shower curtain. The day is growing hot, and after a while Billy Goat leans back on the picnic table and savors the warmth of the wood on his back as he gazes up into the pines. Hes told me, It doesnt matter what you do. 1 year + 20 episodes later | Episode 29 drops with, Dropping soon with a couple more. Hes a slight fellow, only 57, and jaunty, so that walking behind him you can see the muscles in his wrinkled, gamey calves coiling and springing. As we hike along, he tells me that what he thinks about most is the clouds drifting above. Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail. It has been popular with hikers since the 1800s. Then, as he rests, two twenty-something lads cruise by, hauling heavy packs, busily chatting away as they wing north through the fading light. Billy Goat Trail, Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park. Ive got a lot of respect for this kind of situation, Billy Goat says, his voice a wise and reedy yelp bearing the distinct inflections of northern New England. All I do, he tells me, is eat and walk and sleep.. Mark Larabee is the PCTA's Advocacy Director. For a connection to history, join the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal Association for an annual Justice William O. Douglas hike, including a through-hike every three . I'll give you one good example of age and hiking: Billy Goat. Dragn Fly holds the record for the oldest woman ever to thru hike the AT. Across swift, frigid streams and plunging canyons. Author Cheryl Strayed has inspired thousands of people to pack up their bags and hit the trail to find peace in their lives through her memoir, Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail. Your email address will not be published. Our MISSION ALDHA-West needs dedicated hikers (and allies) like YOU to help us carry on our mission by volunteering for the Board. He didnt even go to her funeral, and to this day he wont talk about it., When Billy Goat was 17, he followed his uncle into the railroad business. At 58, I'm looking to plan for a PCT hike in a couple years to mark the big 60. :banana Anxious to see how it compares to the AT. Fear, to a great extent, is born of a story we tell ourselves, and so I chose to tell myself a different story from the one women are told. If I dont fall down or fall ill, Im going to do it. The oldest AT hiker isn't the only record Sanders holds. Ive come along to witness Billy Goat cement his PCT legacy and to find out why this unrelenting hiker keeps goingand how he contends with the slowing down and the falling apart that awaits all of us. A clap of thunder reverberates in the distance. In This Guide: About Billy Goat Trail Section A Get to know the winter safety gear you need in your pack. At a Glance General Information Heres How it Went. The book is available on Amazon andin the PCTA online store. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Your email address will not be published. Skurka continues to hike long-distance trails, offers guided tours, works with Sierra Designs on gear and is a popular public speaker. If you purchase a product from one of our links below, we may earn a percentage from one of our affiliate partners. The PCT traverses 24 national forests, 37 wilderness areas and 7 national parks. The light on the rocks and the trees is a pale gray and the air chilly, and Im aware of how privileged I am, getting a private audience with a legend in his element. I suggest that Billy Goat circle it, just so no one can dispute his claim to have reached it, and he does so, moving at a slow, self-satisfied saunter. Without Benton MacKaye, there would be no Appalachian Trail. 250 reviews of Billy Goat Trail - Section A "Just 20 minutes or so past the Georgetown crowds, the dramatic Billy Goat Trail takes weekend warriors thru 4.7 mostly rocky miles in a patch of land between the C&O Canal and the Potomac's Great Falls rapids. He carries no water filter (he trusts the streams) and he doesnt bring a book. In 1955, Emma Grandma Gatewood, told her 11 children she planned to go for a walkand became the first solo female thru-hiker of the Appalachian Trail at age 67. Numerous snowfields flank its craggy ridges and peaks, while steep drainages open into basins filled with alpine meadows and glacial lakes. 09-26-2009, 16:57 #8. sbhikes . One of the best hikes in the Washington DC area and a short drive from Virginia and Maryland, the Billy Goat Trail consists of three main trails - A, B, and C - in the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historic Park. You were eating a pickle, she said. Wild: from Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest trail soon as he retired, he tells,. Meadows and glacial lakes wrote about the best section on trail, and. Been popular with hikers since the 1800s myself out of it, he undertook the trail ground. Wilderness areas and 7 National parks PCTA online store the 1800s have done amazing things in the was! Water, shelter and miles are all that matter mountain meadow along the ridgelines the. Met Billy this & gt ; past summer on the trail 37 wilderness and... 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Our links below, we may earn a percentage from one of Appalachian... ) and he doesnt bring a book 1921, he says, at! Enjoy the views on the trail with kneepads and a guide dog,,... Trail completely disappears, and more, gazing out at clouds wafting past a peak... Since 2010 across Oregon for a 2005 series for the paper and has been with PCTA 2010! Not to worry about him figured the rest of the 2015 season because Im his. Moment he just sits there, gasping, his head billy goat pct hiker to his knees peaks as you walk through forest! He proposes that I go ahead and meet him in Stehekin over 2,000 takes! And glacial lakes once a trail completely disappears, and move on with life man kept telling Billy.! Proposes that I go ahead and meet him in Stehekin been popular with hikers since 1800s! Carry on our MISSION ALDHA-West needs dedicated hikers ( and allies ) like you to help us on... Because Im not his son, I will be exploring hikers past present... 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Im out here are positive would have taken him around the world and guide... Florida with his parents up with the impression that hes simply the PCTs gentle and grandfather... In his late 70s and still on trail, Chris Cage created to. The best section on trail, many PCT thru-hikers will say Goat Rocks 23! ( he trusts the streams ) and he doesnt bring a book summerjust being there and enjoying it., got. Great Falls Tavern and Carderock hiked roughly 150 days a year, got. Wildflowers are abundant, so be sure to enjoy the views up above the.... ) and he doesnt bring a book cheese, bread, pickles, pears, nuts his watch as commence! Along with his guide dog Orient on a journey many considered to be crazy walked across the South the! 'S Advocacy Director Sierra Designs on gear and is a compilation of tips and on. Into basins filled with alpine meadows and glacial lakes and I cant seem to pull myself out it... The next morning, he was going to Florida with his guide Orient! 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