Gravity (Jim Smith)
@hikewithgravity.com
Triple Crown thru-hiker: AT 2017, PCT 2019, CDT 2021. Also: Benton MacKaye Trail, Art Loeb Trail, Pinhoti Trail, Foothills Trail, Bartram Trail, Appalachian High Route, and Arizona Trail
hikewithgravity.com
hikewithgravity.com
Updates to the hiking goals I posted a year ago...
1. I completed the Long Trail.
2. I will start the Colorado Trail on July 23.
3. I intend to hike the Superior Hiking Trail in Minnesota in mid-September.
4. My plan to thru-hike the Appalachian Trail next year is still on track.
1. I completed the Long Trail.
2. I will start the Colorado Trail on July 23.
3. I intend to hike the Superior Hiking Trail in Minnesota in mid-September.
4. My plan to thru-hike the Appalachian Trail next year is still on track.
February 15, 2026 at 5:48 AM
Updates to the hiking goals I posted a year ago...
1. I completed the Long Trail.
2. I will start the Colorado Trail on July 23.
3. I intend to hike the Superior Hiking Trail in Minnesota in mid-September.
4. My plan to thru-hike the Appalachian Trail next year is still on track.
1. I completed the Long Trail.
2. I will start the Colorado Trail on July 23.
3. I intend to hike the Superior Hiking Trail in Minnesota in mid-September.
4. My plan to thru-hike the Appalachian Trail next year is still on track.
It was fortunate that I had time to spare on Day13 of my Arizona Trail thru-hike. I met an unusually large number of people on the trail, and they all seemed to have questions about my hike.
hikewithgravity.com/hikes/azt-20...
hikewithgravity.com/hikes/azt-20...
AZT 2024: Day 13, near Walker Lake Peak to Fort Valley Experimental Forest
Wake up to find out that you are the eyes of the world
hikewithgravity.com
February 4, 2026 at 2:18 AM
It was fortunate that I had time to spare on Day13 of my Arizona Trail thru-hike. I met an unusually large number of people on the trail, and they all seemed to have questions about my hike.
hikewithgravity.com/hikes/azt-20...
hikewithgravity.com/hikes/azt-20...
Water sources on the #ArizonaTrail are often a gross mess of silt and algae, usually shared with cattle and wildlife. It was a huge relief on Day 12 of my thru-hike to find water that was clear and tasted good.
hikewithgravity.com/hikes/azt-20...
hikewithgravity.com/hikes/azt-20...
AZT 2024: Day 12, F.S. Road 417 to near Walker Lake Peak
I need a little water of love
hikewithgravity.com
February 1, 2026 at 2:18 AM
Water sources on the #ArizonaTrail are often a gross mess of silt and algae, usually shared with cattle and wildlife. It was a huge relief on Day 12 of my thru-hike to find water that was clear and tasted good.
hikewithgravity.com/hikes/azt-20...
hikewithgravity.com/hikes/azt-20...
AZT 2024: Day 11, Babbitt Ranch Passage to F.S. Road 417
I can’t stand rats in my room
hikewithgravity.com
January 30, 2026 at 12:27 AM
Day 10 of my #ArizonaTrail thru-hike turned out much better than Day 9. I didn’t feel nearly as tired, my pack ably handled the weight of five liters of water, and I even got a little education on what goes into a prescribed burn.
Read about this eventful day at hikewithgravity.com/hikes/azt-20....
Read about this eventful day at hikewithgravity.com/hikes/azt-20....
AZT 2024: Day 10, Coconino Rim Road to Babbitt Ranch Passage
Lord, they're setting us on fire
hikewithgravity.com
January 28, 2026 at 2:56 AM
Day 10 of my #ArizonaTrail thru-hike turned out much better than Day 9. I didn’t feel nearly as tired, my pack ably handled the weight of five liters of water, and I even got a little education on what goes into a prescribed burn.
Read about this eventful day at hikewithgravity.com/hikes/azt-20....
Read about this eventful day at hikewithgravity.com/hikes/azt-20....
The farther I walked on Day 9 of my Arizona Trail thru-hike, the more I could feel the energy draining from my body. This was unexpected because the trail was flat and easy.
hikewithgravity.com/hikes/azt-20....
hikewithgravity.com/hikes/azt-20....
AZT 2024: Day 9, Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni to Coconino Rim Road
Lord, I'm so tired; how long can this go on?
hikewithgravity.com
January 26, 2026 at 5:35 PM
The farther I walked on Day 9 of my Arizona Trail thru-hike, the more I could feel the energy draining from my body. This was unexpected because the trail was flat and easy.
hikewithgravity.com/hikes/azt-20....
hikewithgravity.com/hikes/azt-20....
Perhaps I was feeling a letdown after two days of stunning scenery, but there was so little variation in the landscape after the #GrandCanyon that my mind switched into neutral gear.
Read about Day 8 of my #ArizonaTrail thru-hike: hikewithgravity.com/hikes/azt-20...
Read about Day 8 of my #ArizonaTrail thru-hike: hikewithgravity.com/hikes/azt-20...
AZT 2024: Day 8, Grand Canyon South Rim to Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni
I am the backdoor man
hikewithgravity.com
January 18, 2026 at 2:56 AM
Perhaps I was feeling a letdown after two days of stunning scenery, but there was so little variation in the landscape after the #GrandCanyon that my mind switched into neutral gear.
Read about Day 8 of my #ArizonaTrail thru-hike: hikewithgravity.com/hikes/azt-20...
Read about Day 8 of my #ArizonaTrail thru-hike: hikewithgravity.com/hikes/azt-20...
It was hard to fully appreciate the geological history of the #GrandCanyon on Day 6 of my #ArizonaTrail thru-hike because I never saw the Colorado River. That changed on Day 7 as I crossed the river and climbed to the South Rim.
hikewithgravity.com/hikes/azt-20...
hikewithgravity.com/hikes/azt-20...
AZT 2024: Day 7, Bright Angel Campground to Grand Canyon South Rim
Run, come see what this river has done
hikewithgravity.com
January 4, 2026 at 11:24 PM
It was hard to fully appreciate the geological history of the #GrandCanyon on Day 6 of my #ArizonaTrail thru-hike because I never saw the Colorado River. That changed on Day 7 as I crossed the river and climbed to the South Rim.
hikewithgravity.com/hikes/azt-20...
hikewithgravity.com/hikes/azt-20...
It's hard to imagine how one day could be more glorious or more hellish. That was Day 6 of my Arizona Trail thru-hike.
hikewithgravity.com/hikes/azt-20...
hikewithgravity.com/hikes/azt-20...
AZT 2024: Day 6, Grand Canyon North Rim to Bright Angel Campground
So you think you can tell heaven from hell?
hikewithgravity.com
December 26, 2025 at 4:03 PM
It's hard to imagine how one day could be more glorious or more hellish. That was Day 6 of my Arizona Trail thru-hike.
hikewithgravity.com/hikes/azt-20...
hikewithgravity.com/hikes/azt-20...
I had backup plans in mind for Day 5 of my Arizona Trail thru-hike. Most on my mind was making sure I didn't have to use a backup plan.
AZT 2024: Day 5, Grand Canyon East Rim to Grand Canyon North Rim
Leaves are fallin' all around; it's time I was on my way
hikewithgravity.com
December 16, 2025 at 2:16 AM
I had backup plans in mind for Day 5 of my Arizona Trail thru-hike. Most on my mind was making sure I didn't have to use a backup plan.
Day 3 of my Arizona Trail thru-hike was rough. Day 4 wasn't easy, but to my surprise, the worst of my troubles was over.
hikewithgravity.com/hikes/azt-20...
hikewithgravity.com/hikes/azt-20...
hikewithgravity.com
December 16, 2025 at 2:14 AM
Day 3 of my Arizona Trail thru-hike was rough. Day 4 wasn't easy, but to my surprise, the worst of my troubles was over.
hikewithgravity.com/hikes/azt-20...
hikewithgravity.com/hikes/azt-20...
Day 3 of my Arizona Trail thru-hike was rough. Day 4 wasn't easy, but to my surprise, the worst of my troubles was over.
hikewithgravity.com/hikes/azt-20...
hikewithgravity.com/hikes/azt-20...
AZT 2024: Day 4, Stealth Site at Mile 41.7 to Grand Canyon East Rim
I don't need no doctor 'cause I know what's ailing me
hikewithgravity.com
December 12, 2025 at 2:58 PM
Day 3 of my Arizona Trail thru-hike was rough. Day 4 wasn't easy, but to my surprise, the worst of my troubles was over.
hikewithgravity.com/hikes/azt-20...
hikewithgravity.com/hikes/azt-20...
It took me all day on Day 3 of my Arizona Trail thru-hike to figure out why I was feeling sick. The reason should have been obvious.
What made me to wonder if I could continue my hike? Find out in my next post at hikewithgravity.com/hikes/azt-20....
What made me to wonder if I could continue my hike? Find out in my next post at hikewithgravity.com/hikes/azt-20....
AZT 2024: Day 3, Jacob Lake to Stealth Site at Mile 41.7
My health is failin' me, and I'm goin' down slow
hikewithgravity.com
December 7, 2025 at 6:51 PM
It took me all day on Day 3 of my Arizona Trail thru-hike to figure out why I was feeling sick. The reason should have been obvious.
What made me to wonder if I could continue my hike? Find out in my next post at hikewithgravity.com/hikes/azt-20....
What made me to wonder if I could continue my hike? Find out in my next post at hikewithgravity.com/hikes/azt-20....
A trouble lurking in the desert can sneak up on you and cause serious harm before you know it.
hikewithgravity.com/hikes/azt-20...
hikewithgravity.com/hikes/azt-20...
AZT 2024: Day 2, Old Arizona Road to Jacob Lake
Well, you walk into a restaurant all strung out from the road
hikewithgravity.com
December 3, 2025 at 6:07 PM
A trouble lurking in the desert can sneak up on you and cause serious harm before you know it.
hikewithgravity.com/hikes/azt-20...
hikewithgravity.com/hikes/azt-20...
And I've got such a long way to go to make it to the border of Mexico.
hikewithgravity.com/hikes/azt-20...
hikewithgravity.com/hikes/azt-20...
AZT 2024: Day 1, Northern Terminus to Old Arizona Road
And I've got such a long way to go to make it to the border of Mexico
hikewithgravity.com
November 29, 2025 at 5:37 PM
And I've got such a long way to go to make it to the border of Mexico.
hikewithgravity.com/hikes/azt-20...
hikewithgravity.com/hikes/azt-20...
A funny thing happened when I failed to complete a thru-hike of the Colorado Trail in 2023. It gave me confidence to hike the Arizona Trail in 2024. An explanation can be found in the first of my blog posts about the AZT: hikewithgravity.com/hikes/azt-20...
AZT 2024: Prologue
When I get to Why Arizona, maybe I'll know where to go from there
hikewithgravity.com
November 22, 2025 at 9:07 PM
A funny thing happened when I failed to complete a thru-hike of the Colorado Trail in 2023. It gave me confidence to hike the Arizona Trail in 2024. An explanation can be found in the first of my blog posts about the AZT: hikewithgravity.com/hikes/azt-20...
I knew Day 27 on the Appalachian High Route would be a strenuous hike. The trail followed an exceptionally steep, rugged, and sometimes technical path that traversed the top of a narrow ridge.
hikewithgravity.com/hikes/ahr-20...
hikewithgravity.com/hikes/ahr-20...
AHR 2023 2024: Days 27-28, Commissary Hill to Burnsville
Come on, baby, finish what you started
hikewithgravity.com
November 19, 2025 at 3:54 AM
I knew Day 27 on the Appalachian High Route would be a strenuous hike. The trail followed an exceptionally steep, rugged, and sometimes technical path that traversed the top of a narrow ridge.
hikewithgravity.com/hikes/ahr-20...
hikewithgravity.com/hikes/ahr-20...
My hike of the Appalachian High Route took many unexpected turns. Unsurprisingly, I was met with another change in plans on Day 26.
hikewithgravity.com/hikes/ahr-20...
hikewithgravity.com/hikes/ahr-20...
AHR 2023 2024: Day 26, near CCC Pavilion to Commissary Hill
Every day is a winding road
hikewithgravity.com
October 31, 2025 at 11:52 PM
My hike of the Appalachian High Route took many unexpected turns. Unsurprisingly, I was met with another change in plans on Day 26.
hikewithgravity.com/hikes/ahr-20...
hikewithgravity.com/hikes/ahr-20...
After an unplanned zero day, I was back on the Appalachian High Route and hoping to finish in a couple more days. Unexpectedly, the trail was not going to make that easy.
hikewithgravity.com/hikes/ahr-20...
hikewithgravity.com/hikes/ahr-20...
AHR 2023 2024: Days 24-25, Zero Day and Folk Art Center to near CCC Pavilion
I got a brand new house on the roadside made from rattlesnake hide
hikewithgravity.com
October 22, 2025 at 4:39 PM
After an unplanned zero day, I was back on the Appalachian High Route and hoping to finish in a couple more days. Unexpectedly, the trail was not going to make that easy.
hikewithgravity.com/hikes/ahr-20...
hikewithgravity.com/hikes/ahr-20...
Sometimes, I have to rely on my instincts. Experience and gut feelings are needed to make decisions.
Sometimes, the decision comes easily.
hikewithgravity.com/hikes/ahr-20...
Sometimes, the decision comes easily.
hikewithgravity.com/hikes/ahr-20...
AHR 2023 2024: Day 23, above Walnut Cove Overlook to Folk Art Center
Trust your hunch, you know you can do fine
hikewithgravity.com
September 26, 2025 at 5:23 PM
Sometimes, I have to rely on my instincts. Experience and gut feelings are needed to make decisions.
Sometimes, the decision comes easily.
hikewithgravity.com/hikes/ahr-20...
Sometimes, the decision comes easily.
hikewithgravity.com/hikes/ahr-20...
My trail guide said there would be no legal campsites for the next 35 miles. Somehow, I managed to find one in that distance, and that wasn't the only nice discovery on Day 22 of my Appalachian High Route hike.
hikewithgravity.com/hikes/ahr-20...
hikewithgravity.com/hikes/ahr-20...
AHR 2023 2024: Day 22, Fryingpan Mountain to above Walnut Cove Overlook
That's where I'm gonna make my happy home
hikewithgravity.com
September 15, 2025 at 3:18 PM
My trail guide said there would be no legal campsites for the next 35 miles. Somehow, I managed to find one in that distance, and that wasn't the only nice discovery on Day 22 of my Appalachian High Route hike.
hikewithgravity.com/hikes/ahr-20...
hikewithgravity.com/hikes/ahr-20...
With 85 miles to go, I set out on Day 21 to finish the Appalachian High Route. It had already been a hike that strayed from what I thought it would be when I started. Now it would be much different.
hikewithgravity.com/hikes/ahr-20...
hikewithgravity.com/hikes/ahr-20...
AHR 2023 2024: Day 21, Pigeon Gap to Fryingpan Mountain
Don't be scared to walk alone, don't be scared to like it
hikewithgravity.com
August 28, 2025 at 1:28 AM
With 85 miles to go, I set out on Day 21 to finish the Appalachian High Route. It had already been a hike that strayed from what I thought it would be when I started. Now it would be much different.
hikewithgravity.com/hikes/ahr-20...
hikewithgravity.com/hikes/ahr-20...
Day 20 of my Appalachian High Route hike was more than just the completion of a 28-mile gap in the Smokies. It resolved a lingering question I had about myself.
Read about the day at hikewithgravity.com/hikes/ahr-20....
Read about the day at hikewithgravity.com/hikes/ahr-20....
AHR 2023 2024: Day 19, Icewater Spring Shelter to Tricorner Knob Shelter
A cold November wind can cut right through your soul
hikewithgravity.com
August 17, 2025 at 8:10 PM
Day 20 of my Appalachian High Route hike was more than just the completion of a 28-mile gap in the Smokies. It resolved a lingering question I had about myself.
Read about the day at hikewithgravity.com/hikes/ahr-20....
Read about the day at hikewithgravity.com/hikes/ahr-20....
Polecat talked for several months about wanting to hike in the Smokies in the winter. I'm unsure exactly why that appealed to him, but he got his chance on Day 19 of our Appalachian High Route hike.
AHR 2023 2024: Day 19, Icewater Spring Shelter to Tricorner Knob Shelter
A cold November wind can cut right through your soul
hikewithgravity.com
August 15, 2025 at 4:29 PM
Polecat talked for several months about wanting to hike in the Smokies in the winter. I'm unsure exactly why that appealed to him, but he got his chance on Day 19 of our Appalachian High Route hike.
I've hiked enough long-distance trails to know making a schedule with too many details never works. Still, that didn't stop me from planning for a section of the Appalachian High Route.
My plan fell apart before it started.
My plan fell apart before it started.
AHR 2023 2024: Day 18, Fork Ridge Trail to Icewater Spring Shelter
If the summer change to winter, yours is no disgrace
hikewithgravity.com
July 5, 2025 at 11:10 PM
I've hiked enough long-distance trails to know making a schedule with too many details never works. Still, that didn't stop me from planning for a section of the Appalachian High Route.
My plan fell apart before it started.
My plan fell apart before it started.