Hiker Completes Massive 2,021-Mile Colorado Route

Donovan Rice finished a 141-day trek across the state in October 2026.

Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Hiking

Screen-print poster illustration of a solitary hiker silhouette standing on a jagged mountain ridge, evoking Colorado wilderness exploration. — Donovan Rice completed a 2,021-mile thru-hike across Colorado in October 2026, navigating wilderness areas to encourage greater public land conservation. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Donovan Rice completed a 2,021-mile journey across Colorado in October 2026 after setting out on May 14. The thru-hike traversed 11 national forests and three national parks, including the Sangre de Cristo Mountains.

Why it matters

The route was designed to provide a maximalist experience of Colorado public lands while encouraging broader interest in protecting lesser-known wilderness areas. Rice hopes his journey will eventually lead to formal Congressional recognition as a national scenic trail.

The expedition covered 60 total mountain peaks, including 13 fourteeners and 47 thirteeners, using only four pairs of hiking shoes. Rice maintained a 13-pound base pack weight throughout the trip.

The players

Donovan Rice

Donovan Rice is an endurance hiker and route designer who focuses on creating long-distance paths through public lands.

The details

Rice created the route by connecting various public lands and roads to navigate Colorado while strictly avoiding private property. During his 141-day trek, he relied on paper maps for navigation and resupplied food in towns every few days.

Donovan Rice began his hike on May 14, 2026.
The journey was completed in October 2026.

Culture Shift

The project reflects a growing societal trend toward creating bespoke long-distance routes that prioritize public land connectivity over existing commercial trails. This movement parallels the history of the National Trails System Act by attempting to formalize backcountry navigation for future generations.

Aspiring thru-hikers can expect to see updated route logistics and potential bailout options published on the project website as Rice refines the path. Future iterations will aim to increase usage of established trails, potentially simplifying navigation for those attempting to replicate parts of the journey.

The takeaway

Rice demonstrates that connecting public lands can transform isolated hiking areas into a cohesive long-distance experience. Hikers planning similar excursions should prioritize meticulous route planning and resupply logistics to navigate successfully through diverse terrain.