Know Wonder: Creating the American Perimeter Trail

Explore the 12,000 mile trail that will eventually circumnavigate the contiguous United States.

This is a live webinar. Receive the Zoom link registering here 

The American Perimeter Trail (APT) is being designed and hiked by Rue McKenrick. Rue is a triple-crown hiker, having completed the Appalachian Trail, Pacific Crest Trail, and Continental Divide Trail in the 2000’s. Upon completion, the APT will be a loop trail that circumnavigates the contiguous United States with an estimated distance of 12,000 miles. The APT will use a combination of existing trails such as the Pacific Northwest Trail and North Country Trail and currently undefined routes. During the scouting phase Rue is hiking many cross-country routes using map and compass and the Gaia app. He expects to finish the first scouting hike in summer 2022.

Rue McKenrick is an American long distance backpacker and Executive Director of The American Perimeter Trail Conference. He was born and raised in western Pennsylvania, growing up with the Appalachian Trail running through his backyard. He began his international travels as a teen having spent three summers in much of Western Europe. He first attempted a long distance trip in 2003 completing the Appalachian Trail. With a fervor for conservation and education, McKenrick worked for several non-profit organizations in between his long distance treks. He worked for the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, Outward Bound, and the Appalachian Mountain Club, and is most proud of his service term with Ameri-Corp. Over the next several years he would go on to backpack the Triple Crown of backpacking completing the remaining two trails the Pacific Crest, and Continental Divide National Scenic Trails. It was after the completion of the Triple Crown that he first conceived of the American Perimeter Trail and its respective conference.