top contributor badge 2025

Katie Jackson

I'm Katie, a thru-hiker and ultrarunner based in Colorado. After thru-hiking the Colorado Trail, John Muir Trail, and Continental Divide Trail in back-to-back years, I'm looking forward to a little time of rest, relaxation, and writing. Or, who knows, maybe the AT. No one has ever accused me of being good at sitting still. Follow along on my journey with the articles below, or through my photography on Instagram (@k80.trail).

Posts

How Do AT Thru-Hikers Get Enough Time Off Work To Complete the Trail?

How Do AT Thru-Hikers Get Enough Time Off Work To Complete the Trail?

Let's get real for a minute. You see the photos, you read the blogs – scores of hikers hitting the Appalachian Trail for five, six, sometimes seven

Apr 28, 2025 : Katie Jackson
Yosemite Campground Closure Will Disrupt Backpackers — Including JMT and PCT Thru-Hikers

Yosemite Campground Closure Will Disrupt Backpackers — Including JMT and PCT Thru-Hikers

Yosemite National Park has announced the closure of its primary backpackers camp located in Yosemite Valley, effective for the entire 2025 season.

Apr 25, 2025 : Katie Jackson
The Critical Piece of Gear Backpackers Don’t Talk About: Garmin Instinct 3 Solar Smartwatch Review

The Critical Piece of Gear Backpackers Don’t Talk About: Garmin Instinct 3 Solar Smartwatch Review

Over the past few weeks, I've been testing the Garmin Instinct 3 solar watch to assess how it fits into my everyday life as well as my time in the

Apr 24, 2025 : Katie Jackson
These Are the Biggest Reasons Hikers Didn’t Finish the Appalachian Trail Last Year

These Are the Biggest Reasons Hikers Didn’t Finish the Appalachian Trail Last Year

Every year, thousands of hopefuls set out from Springer Mountain or Katahdin, dreaming of completing a full thru-hike of the Appalachian

Apr 23, 2025 : Katie Jackson
Where Do You Need a Bear Canister on the PCT?

Where Do You Need a Bear Canister on the PCT?

Bear canisters are required to keep your food secure — and, more importantly, to prevent bears from becoming habituated to human food — on several

Apr 17, 2025 : Katie Jackson
Appalachian Trail Conservancy Head Sandi Marra Announces Retirement

Appalachian Trail Conservancy Head Sandi Marra Announces Retirement

Sandra (Sandi) Marra, who has served as President and CEO of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) since July 2019, has announced her retirement.

Apr 16, 2025 : Katie Jackson
These Are the Worst Sections of the Appalachian Trail, According to Thru-Hikers

These Are the Worst Sections of the Appalachian Trail, According to Thru-Hikers

In our recent 2024 Appalachian Trail Thru-Hiker Survey, respondents didn’t hold back when naming the sections that left them less than impressed.

Apr 15, 2025 : Katie Jackson
This Subscription Will Cover Your Rescue Expenses if You Hit SOS

This Subscription Will Cover Your Rescue Expenses if You Hit SOS

I spend a lot of time in the backcountry, which prompts the need for a reliable plan if things go wrong. While I've always carried a satellite

Apr 14, 2025 : Katie Jackson
“Signing That Letter Was a Mistake”: REI Retracts Endorsement of Controversial Trump Cabinet Pick

“Signing That Letter Was a Mistake”: REI Retracts Endorsement of Controversial Trump Cabinet Pick

Three months after controversially endorsing former North Dakota governor Doug Burgum for Secretary of the Interior, REI is backtracking. "We

Apr 14, 2025 : Katie Jackson
Public Health Scare Impacts Popular Town on PCT

Public Health Scare Impacts Popular Town on PCT

The Eastern Sierra Nevada region of California — an iconic segment of the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) — is now at the center of a serious public health

Apr 10, 2025 : Katie Jackson