Megan McGowan

My trail name is Sourstraws, but most people who know me on trail just call me Straws. My husband Piñata and I hiked the Triple Crown together between 2016-2018. Although we are back in the real world for now, we're hiker trash at heart and are always looking forward to the next adventure. We'll be on the Tahoe Rim Trail September 2019. Read more at https://hikinghammonds.com

Posts

Running Through Wyoming’s Great Divide Basin

Running Through Wyoming’s Great Divide Basin

Upon entering Wyoming, the CDT transitions quite rapidly from forested mountains to the flat and treeless basin of Wyoming's Red Desert. We emerged

Jul 31, 2018 : Megan McGowan
Embracing the Brutality on the CDT

Embracing the Brutality on the CDT

Shortly after leaving Leadville, the Colorado Trail turns toward Denver and parts ways with the CDT. The well-defined, maintained track of the CT

Jul 10, 2018 : Megan McGowan
Cruising through Central Colorado on the CDT

Cruising through Central Colorado on the CDT

The trail through the middle portion of Colorado was awesome. After the tough terrain of the San Juans, the Colorado Trail seemed almost easy in

Jul 4, 2018 : Megan McGowan
Tested by Snow on the CDT Through the San Juans

Tested by Snow on the CDT Through the San Juans

The San Juan Mountains were intense, beautiful, frustrating, rewarding, difficult, and awesome. They were somehow both exactly what I expected and

Jun 23, 2018 : Megan McGowan
CDT Part 3: Goodbye New Mexico

CDT Part 3: Goodbye New Mexico

It's been longer than I planned to get this post up; service and internet through Southern Colorado has been pretty lacking. So without further ado,

Jun 17, 2018 : Megan McGowan
CDT Part 2: Roads, Roads, Roads – Silver City to Grants

CDT Part 2: Roads, Roads, Roads – Silver City to Grants

Between Silver City and Grants, the CDT has a few noteworthy segments, particularly the Gila River and El Malpais. Otherwise though, it is a lot of

Jun 2, 2018 : Megan McGowan
CDT Part 1: The Mexican Border to Silver City

CDT Part 1: The Mexican Border to Silver City

Hi! Allow me to introduce myself. My trail name is Sourstraws, and this year I'm hiking the CDT with my husband, Piñata. Our Kiwi friend, Jupiter,

May 21, 2018 : Megan McGowan
Piñata and Sourstraws’ CDT Gear List for Two

Piñata and Sourstraws’ CDT Gear List for Two

My husband and I have amassed quite a bit of gear over two thru-hikes.  Still, for the CDT we knew we'd have to purchase some new big ticket items,

Apr 28, 2018 : Megan McGowan
Gear Review: Osprey Eja Women’s Backpack

Gear Review: Osprey Eja Women’s Backpack

Ladies rejoice!  One of the most popular thru-hiking backpacks is now available in a female-specific version.

Feb 15, 2018 : Megan McGowan
PCT Resupply: What it Cost and What We’d Do Differently

PCT Resupply: What it Cost and What We’d Do Differently

Thru-hike resupply planning can be daunting. Where to send packages, how much food to put in your boxes, and timing your arrival to a post office

Dec 21, 2017 : Megan McGowan