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Completing My Hike From Canada to Mexico
This morning, we had a relatively early start to the day. We waited for the sun to come up and then packed our things. I can’t believe this is our last morning on the CDT. We only have 15 miles to go to tag the Mexican border, finishing our hike. I can’t believe that I maintained a continuous foot path for this entire hike. Something I’ve never perfected on any hike over 2000 miles. There always seemed to be a mile or two that slipped away due to one thing or another.
Once we were packed up, we continued walking along the dirt road which we had gotten onto last night. We only had 2 miles to go to get to the next designated water source. This would also be the last water source until the border. And there’s no water cached at the border for obvious reasons. Whenever someone leaves water sources there they always get picked clean by individuals coming over from Mexico.
A sign as we began approaching the terminus! Not far to go now.
We walked for about 40 or so minutes and then got to that first source of the day. It was a locker style cache that’s filled by Tim who runs the CDT shuttle. We decided to sit there for a while and enjoy a break. No one was feeling particularly rushed as we only had about 13 miles to go to the finish line. That would only take us just about four hours.
Almost there!
While we sat there, Tim actually drove up to check on the cache. Originally he was supposed to be working today, but he had gotten the day off. We all felt kind of bad that we were still sitting there just because he would be the one picking us up. Even though our ride wasn’t scheduled until 3pm, which left us more than enough time. But I’m sure he was hopeful that we would get there earlier just to get the ball rolling. So not long after that we packed up and continued along.
A long dirt road to Mexico.
There weren’t really any more landmarks along our journey today. We were hiking through the wide open desert with not much to see. The temperature was perfect and the sun was out. There was a very little wind, which was great as well. We could still see those mountains off in the distance from yesterday. They must be in Mexico somewhere. I wondered about what they were and how tall they were. If people ever climbed them.
Sparkle and James walking the road up ahead of me.
We wound up getting to the border around 1pm. A couple hours early for our shuttle ride, which was perfect. At first, I didn’t realize that we had arrived, until I saw a truck parked off in the distance. Then as we got closer, I noticed the four hikers hanging out around the monument. It was Syrup, Link, and two girls that we met the other day at a gear shop. Sadly, I cannot for the life of me remember their names.
Officially completed my walk from Canada to Mexico! After 147 days.
It was pretty surreal arriving at the border. My emotions were mixed as they always seem to be. Part of me always expects to cry and be overwhelmed by the situation. But every time I reach a border crossing along the national scenic trail I’m always left feeling kind of numb. I just can’t wrap my head around the whole thing. I touched the monument for the first time, and then Sparkle assembled the crown that she made me. It was such a beautiful crown that she painted herself. She even painted these very detailed emblems to indicate each trail, the AT, the PCT, and the CDT. And she formally crowned me there in the desert. A triple crowner, or at last. These last few years are some of the most vivid of my life and also went by so quickly. Thanks to writing, I’ve kept all of the little details of the experience that otherwise might’ve slipped away.
Two Gossamer Gear girlies at the CDT southern terminus.
Everyone hung out around the monument for a while. We took a bunch of pictures but somehow forgot to take a group photo which is a little bit sad. I could tell that the shuttle driver wanted to get going as soon as possible. Because the ride takes about three hours just to get back to Hachita. Then he has to leave a few of us there to take the rest of us to Lordsburg. And then come back for the remaining hikers. That’s because we can’t be in the back of his truck bed on the highway. Which I totally respect. But because of that we were in a bit of a rush. I never once sat down anywhere around the monument.
So proud to have completed my thru hiking triple crown! The crown that Sparkle made me was so cute.
Once all the photos were taken, we packed up almost immediately. No one really wanted to go in the back of the truck so Sparkle and I volunteered. I really couldn’t care less. It was going to be dusty and dirty and windy, but that was fine. Those next few hours were incredibly long. We got caked in dirt. Much more than I could’ve ever expected. And along our drive, we actually passed by more CDT hikers who were making their way to the border. Some of them would finish tomorrow and some the next day. They congratulated us on our finish and we did the same for them. They’re so close to the end now too.
Sparkle and I at the terminus
Sitting in the back of the truck bed was a bumpy and uncomfortable ride. Even ignoring the fact that we are getting legitimately caked in sand and dirt. The time felt like it went by really slowly. But every now and then Sparkle and I would open our eyes and look at each other and just die laughing. What a hilarious way to end a long hike.
Sparkle and I in the back of the truck bed for 3 hours along dirt roads.
We got dropped off at the store in Hachita around 5pm. Give or take. There were three other hikers in the vehicle with us so we told them that they could get the first ride to Lordsburg. The rest of us didn’t mind waiting in Hachita and grabbing something to eat. The ride from Hachita to Lordsburg is an hour. So it takes an hour for Tim to go there and an hour for him to come back. Then we’ll have our final hour drive to get to Lordsburg.
Once at the store, everybody was starving and we feasted intensely. There were some frozen dishes that you could microwave. I got a cinnamon roll that I microwaved and drank a couple yahoos. Later on I had some soda and a microwave pizza. There was also microwaveable pasta and things like that. It wasn’t the best selection ever, but hungry thru hikers know how to make do with what they got.
A couple hours later, Tim returned. Then he drove us to Lordsburg. Everybody got a room for the night and we showered and got comfortable. It was crazy how much dirt was caked to my face when I finally washed it off. It was like a fine dust across my whole body and everything I owned.
A cute little doggy who came into the store in Hachita.
When we got into town I messaged Case, who had offered us a ride to Denver. He’s using Engine’s truck and driving her dog Tucker around. She lives up near Denver and asked if he could drive the car back up there. He’s also from the Colorado area as well. It’s just easier than her flying with the dog because of his behavior. But Case has extra room in the car so he offered to drive all four of us up to Denver as well. Which is so much easier than taking a bus or a train or renting a car. It honestly all worked out perfectly.
The rest of the night was really quiet. I think everyone was just contemplating the end of the journey and letting it all sink in. After I showered, I just laid in bed and did a little bit of writing and video work before I called it a night. I can’t believe that the CDT is officially over. Over the last 28 months of hiking I completed the entire triple crown, and then some. About 11,000 miles over those 28 months. 622 days spent thru hiking in 28 months.
Of those 28 months I’ve spent 21 of them legitimately thru hiking consistently. When I finished the PCT in 2022 it was in December. Then I took about 8-10 weeks off before hopping on the Pinhoti Trail in February 2023. Then I was on trail for the next 10.5 months, ending in January 2024. After completing the ECT I took about five months off of trail to visit family, plan, and save some money. Then get on this trail in June of 2024. Only about seven months that I spent not thru hiking in the last three years. It’s been such a wild ride and an incredible journey. I wouldn’t change it for anything.
I’m a different hiker than I was at the start of the triple crown. I’m even a different hiker than I was when I finished the eastern continental trail earlier this year. The CDT taught me that I can handle any obstacle that’s thrown at me. I might not know exactly how to respond in the moment, but you better believe that I’ll figure it out. I’ve learned to trust my instincts over this year. I’ve also learned that I do well under pressure and I generally tend to respond in a calm and reasonable manner. Those reactions have saved me time and time again.
I’m grateful for the way that my body responds when I’m not thinking or trying. When fight or flight kicks in you never know how you’ll respond. My biggest take away from this thru hike were all of the things that I learned about myself. Something that you can only fully begin to understand when you’re put in a variety of circumstances.
My goal for hiking the Continental Divide Trail, other than finishing, was to push myself and my limits. That’s one of the reasons why 9 Lives and I synced up so quickly early on. That was both of our goals. To test ourselves and push our boundaries. To truly understand what we are capable of. That’s what I loved so much about hiking together. And boy did I push my limits and boundaries on this hike. The only thing I’ve learned so far is that I haven’t found my limit yet. I’m going to keep pushing and trying until I do.
Thank you so much to everyone who followed along my journey this year. And to those who have been following along for even longer. It’s been incredible to share all of this with you, the highest and the lows. Every last little detail.
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Comments 50
Congrats on completion of the Triple crown. Such an amazing feat! Your post are a delight to read. Thank you for carrying us along.
Congratulations on all your hiking achievements. WTG.
You’re the only blogger I read. I’m going to miss your story. I’ve followed your whole journey. I have tears in my eyes. Congratulations. You’ll be missed.
All hail Peg Leg!
Congratulations. I started reading about thru hoping on The Trek last year. I enjoyed your hike last and this year. I hope you continue to hike and post.
So proud of what you have accomplished! I certainly will miss my daily trek…well, the one that I’ve shared with you these last couple of years via sitting comfortably in my living room or on my porch in my rocking chair and eagerly awaiting your updates! Thank you so much for all your hard work, not only your incredible journey, but the detailed account of all your adventures and the breathtaking photos you shared. I, too, loved that final sunset. Peace to you, Peg Leg. Keep on keeping on!
Congratulations on not only finishing the CDT but the triple crown + the ECT!!! Surviving the flash flood is by far your most important accomplishment. You are a wonderful writer,and I can’t wait to read about your next hike. Best of luck, Peg Leg, and please be kind to your body during your time off of trail.
I’ve followed your adventures on the entire ECT and CDT and I’ve enjoyed your posts so much. I’m going to miss looking forward to your daily updates. Congratulations and best of luck with whatever comes next!
Thank you!! For showing us all about this trail! I enjoyed reading & always looking forward each day to hear how your day went! I will miss you & your tramily.
I have thoroughly enjoyed your posts. I am so grateful to have followed you the whole way. I cannot begin to understand what a rush it must be while you hiked. I feel that you did a great job making us all enjoy the ride with you. Good luck in whatever else you pursue.
I randomly saw your blog while using the Flipboard app a few months ago, and I’m so glad the algorithm shared your adventures. You are an awesome writer and I have really enjoy reading about a life experience totally different than my own. Wishing you all the joy and sending congratulations on your accomplishments. Thanks for taking all the readers along for the ride!
Congratulations! I have really enjoyed following along and reading about your journey. Wish you the best in whatever is next.
You and Sparkle just light up the trails. Thanks so much for the amazing 2 years of posts and pics with videos this year being a bonus I didn’t know I was missing! Big kudos to you for earning your crown!
Thanks so much Peg Leg. Your posts are so much fun. You truly create your world for us, the readers. I’m eagerly awaiting your next adventure. Take care.
Congrats Pegleg. I have been following your blog on the trek starting on the Pinhoti trail. How cool to finish with sparkle on the ECT and the CDT. Looking forward to your next hike, and who knows, maybe I’ll see you out there.
Congrats! Waiting impatiently to hear what comes next. Thanks for your great story!!
Been reading your posts since Bama and enjoying your journey. Thank you for sharing. Live each day like a trail day.
Congrats 🎉👏🎉 Peg Leg. I have loved, loved, loved following your journey and can’t thank you enough for taking us along every step of the way. So many things stick out in my mind but this i know for sure: You are one Bad Ass hiker!! Enjoy your break and I will be waiting patiently to hear what’s next in store for you ❤️. Happy Holidays 🎄.
wait, I’m a bit confused. why does it say 308 miles remaining at the top of this post. can anyone answer that?
People say the CDT is 3,000 miles so that is the mileage that I assumed. But in reality it was 2700 miles.
I can’t believe it’s over; the end happened so quickly.
I cried when you reached the end of the ect and now here you are at the of the cdt! I have so enjoyed reading about your journey, and looked forward to every post from the first day to the last. Congratulations.
Congratulations on finishing your epic journey. I’ve so loved following along. I enjoy you writing style immensely. I hope you consider a book about all your adventures. I think you’d be a great author. I look forward to your next adventure.
Congratulations!!!! It has been wonderful to follow along on your awesome journeys.
Congratulations on CDT completion and your Triple Crown accomplishment. Your blogging and images for all adventures have been superb. Thanks for sharing your adventures, and look forward to future chapters in the Peg Leg chronicles.
Congrats on your completion of the triple crown. I’ve been following your journey since last year, mid way on the AT. I saw your remark that you have another planned in the near future. My guess it is on another continent since you’ve done just about everything that can be done here in North America. I’ll stay tuned.
Congratulations! You are awesome and I wish I could be like you!
Congratulations PegLeg! Totally amazing. I attempted to hike the CT this summer (got injured and had to bail out in Lake City) so I found your account of the CDT amazing. It would take me all day to hike 18 miles, but you would do that before lunch! The distances you hiked each day, the night hiking, the bushwhacking it was all amazing. Most people would have died of hypothermia after your flash flood, it was incredible that you and Syrup hiked so far, soaking wet. Just incredible. Congrats and good luck!
Congratulations on this wonderful achievement! What an inspiration you are! I’m wondering what’s next for you. Whatever it is, hiking or doing something else, I have no doubt you will bring the same confidence and determination to it. Learning to trust yourself is so important. Best wishes on your next adventure
Huge, huge, huge congratulations! What an accomplishment! Triple crown. I started following you when you began the ADT. You’re such an excellent writer! I’m really going to miss reading about your exploits every day. It’s become part of my life, each morning, get coffee, search for new PegLeg posts… I can’t wait to see what’s next! Thank you very much for taking us all along.
Thanks for taking all us along on your journey. Good luck.
Really sad that we are at the end of the CDT with you. But, also just so happy for you at the same time. Very much appreciate you sharing with us. Best of luck during your downtime and looking forward to seeing you again soon somewhere on the trail. Thank you.!!!
R.
Congrats from Hrvatska ( Croatia ) Europe
Željko
Way to go!! I have enjoyed your journey so much!! I’m in awe of you. Thanks for sharing! So many of us dream of doing what you’re doing and it’s nice to live it through you. I’m excited to see what adventures you have ahead of you. Stay safe.
Huge congratulations! I started reading during the pinhoti days last yr and have enjoyed your writing. Good luck in whatever you do!
What’s next for you??
Bike touring is fun and you can ride across America!
Btw 2026 is America’s 250th birthday. Thousands of people biked across America in 1976 for the 200th/Bicentennial
Thanks for letting us come along on your adventures
Congrats on your accomplishment!
Thanks for writing about it…
How come no mention of pot or edibles anymore?
Very impressive.
Thanks for all the posts.
Congratulations!
Cheers!
Congratulations!! Thank you for sharing your adventures, can’t wait to follow along on the next one!
Gratz on the triple crown. Life is good.
Now what am I going to do every morning? Congrats on the triple. Can’t wait for your next adventure. Have a great Christmas.
Hopefully you can parlay into some earnings (or additional earnings?) that enable continued adventures. Sponsorships and guest authorships and a book should be a give. I imagine the trek will miss you.
Thanks for sharing. You’ve really drawn extreme awareness for the community and empowered women. The sheer consistency was a spectacle to behold. Many would struggle just to keep power in their devices…
Nice job! It’s been a pleasure following you on your journey. You know I’ve been following you since your AT journey. You’re very tough and resilient.
Watch out for those Banditos 😊
Hello! What an awesome journey! Thank you so much for sharing it with us all through your consistent and entertaining updates. You also shared some gorgeous scenery along the way. Your mental and physical toughness is inspiring. I hope to follow along with your next endeavor. Congratulations on your Triple Crown!!! Yay!!!
Congratulations upon completing the CDT and the Triple Crown! Sparkle came through with a beautiful crown‼️👑
Thank you for sharing your story with us!
Congratulations! I may not have commented on every post, but I certainly read them. I think I said this before, but it’s worth saying it again, you’re an amazing individual with what you’ve accomplished. I can’t wait to see what’s instore for you next, because I’m pretty sure this isn’t the last we hear from PegLeg. 🙂
I have enjoyed following your journey. Congratulations! I hope you have many more adventures to come.
Been following since the first post. “This girl is a machine and will make it, no problem”. Your posts are fantastic. Great podcast interview on TheTrek too!!!
(Is that the same grey shirt you were wearing in Key West?)
I’m impressed once again. You’re a tough girl. I look forward to your next adventure.
I am so happy you get to spend the holidays with those you love, but I sure do miss your daily updates describing your exploits on the trail! Your body probably doesn’t know what to make of all this downtime because it is so tuned-up for challenge, but I hope your mind and and heart are able to rest, relax and really enjoy looking back on all the beauty, adversity and wonder that you took in during your adventures and just say, “ahhhhh” with the deep satisfaction of someone who is ticking off living her dreams. You are an awesome force and I wish you all yhe best in 2025 :)!
Congratulations on your accomplishment I enjoyed all your posts, especially when you were close to where I live I live in the San Luis Valley all my life Been to Creede and Lake City numerous times Good luck on your next adventure
Congratulations! You’re a great writer. Best of luck on your next journey