The Progression of
HikaNation was a 14-month cross-country backpacking trip starting at Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, California on April 12, 1980, and ending at Cape Henlopen, Delaware on May 27, 1981 after traversing over 4,286 miles and passing through 14 states and Washington, D.C.
Purposes for the hike included highlighting the need for more hiking trails across America and promoting hiking as a low energy consumption form of recreation. |
The HikaNation Story
by Jim Kern
 |
HikaNation was organized by
Jim Kern, William Kemsley, Jr., Paul Pritchard, Glenn Seaborg, and others, and was sponsored by the American Hiking Society, the
United States Department of the Interior Heritage Conservation and Recreation
Service, and Postum, along with various other suppliers & supporters, including Backpacker magazine.
The Progression of HikaNation details the journey with various organizational memos, letters, newspaper and magazine articles. |
Search/Contact HikaNation
Colorado Schedule for HikaNation
by Gudy Gaskill
August 1980
Hikers enter Colorado on HikaNation,
Cross country hikers resting in Dove Creek,
HikaNation crosses Colorado
August 5, 1980
Mesa Verde
Colorado side trip
August 6 - 8, 1980
Crawdad cookin'
Dolores River, Colorado
August 9 - 10, 1980
 
Hike-A-Nation group stopped over...
McComb Cow Camp - Cortez, Colorado
mid-August 1980
50 Hours Alone In The Woods
by Toni Martinazzi
August 11, 1980
Graniteville Woman Takes To The Trails
Shellie Newell at the 1,400 mile mark
Family, Friends Begin 4,000 Mile Hike,
HikaNation trek at 1,400-mile mark,
55 Hikers in Colorado On Yearlong, Coast-to-Coast Walk,
55 Hikers At 1,400-Mile Point In Cross-Country Trip
Cross country hikers arrive here next week,
Hiker, Dave Backus, enjoying views of U.S.
August 14, 1980
AHS News: Volume 4, Number 7
Kern, Kemsley and Hales to join
HikaNation in Silverton, Colorado,
Story from KIUP/KRSJ - Durango, CO.
August 22, 1980
Hikers reach the Divide,
Elwood native, John Stout, is hiking the nation,
Story from KIUP/KRSJ - Durango, CO.
August 22, 1980
The Saloon Door Story
by Jim Kern
August 22, 1980
Cross-county hikers bring attention to U.S. trails,
Federal Official, David F. Hales, praises hikers,
Cross-Country Hikers Win
Lofty Praise at Continental Divide
Silverton, Colorado - August 23, 1980
Backpackers Promote Hiking Trails
Silverton, Colorado
August 24, 1980
Frisco-to-D.C. hikers reach the Rockies,
55 going strong in walk,
Hikers 'high' over long trip
August 31, 1980
AHS News: Volume 4, Number 8
1,500 mile mark passed
September 1980
Findlay Man, Tim Geoghegan,
Trades Job, Car, Furniture For A 9-Month Hike
September 6, 1980
Hikers come through town on way across nation
Del Norte, Colorado
September 6, 1980
Contingent Leaves Its Footprints Across Continent,
HikaNation spans continent in year,
The National Park Service Newsletter
Great Sand Dunes
September 11 - 12, 1980
Hikers Walk Across the U.S.
Weekly Reader
September 12, 1980
Lathrop State Park
Walsenburg, Colorado
September 17, 1980
HikaNation group stops at Kiva
(including 3 boys arriving September 22, 1980)
(main HikaNation group arrived September 25, 1980)
& Koshari Indian Museum letter of July 25, 1980
Nice "Hike" - Walking Across U.S.
La Junta, Colorado
September 25, 1980
Hiker, Dave Backus, enjoying views of U.S.
September 28, 1980 (published)
Hiking group travels through Bent's Old Fort
and Las Animas, Colorado
September 28 - 29, 1980
Colorado Certificates
October 1980
The Progression of
|
