Hiker Completed 1,021-Mile Trek Across Colorado

Donovan Rice finished a 141-day solo journey covering diverse public lands across the state.

Updated on Oct. 10, 2026 in Hiking

Screen-print poster illustration of a hiking boot on a mountain peak, evoking the vast wilderness of the Colorado landscape. — Donovan Rice completed a 1,021-mile, 141-day solo trek across Colorado, traversing 14 national forests and parks to highlight public land conservation. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Donovan Rice has concluded a massive 1,021-mile hiking journey that traversed three national parks and 11 national forests. The solo trek, which spanned 141 days, aimed to connect public lands through a mix of existing trails and cross-country travel.

Why it matters

The expedition was designed to showcase Colorado's diverse geography while drawing attention to the importance of public lands conservation. By navigating through 13 fourteeners and 47 thirteeners, Rice sought to promote a maximalist approach to exploring the state's natural beauty.

The route traverses three national parks and 11 national forests, incorporating 13 fourteeners and 47 thirteeners. Rice utilized a 13-pound pack for the entire 1,021-mile journey.

The players

Donovan Rice

Donovan Rice is an endurance hiker who designed and completed a custom 1,021-mile route across Colorado's public lands.

The details

Rice designed the route by manually dropping pins on public lands maps and relied on paper maps for navigation throughout the trip. The journey began at the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park and crossed varied landscapes including the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, the Maroon Bells, and the Indian Peaks Wilderness.

The hike began on May 14.
The route was completed in October 2026.

Roadmap

The route follows a pattern set by the National Trails System Act in seeking official federal recognition for long-distance wilderness paths. Rice intends to pursue similar legislation to formally designate his route as a national scenic trail.

While the route is not yet standardized, hikers looking to replicate parts of the trek can utilize the logistics available on Rice's new website. Enthusiasts should note that current navigation requires advanced map-reading skills due to the lack of formal GPS markers.

The takeaway

Large-scale wilderness exploration often requires a blend of detailed route planning and self-sufficiency in areas without marked trails. Implementing such a trip requires careful preparation with paper maps and a deep understanding of local public land access rules.