Triple Crown of Thru-Hiking (USA) (2024)

FAQs

How many hikers have completed the Triple Crown? ›

At the ALDHA–West gathering, held each fall, the Triple Crown honorees are recognized and awarded plaques noting their achievement. As of the end of the application period in 2023, 665 hikers have been designated Triple Crowners by ALDHA-West since 1994.

It takes approximately 3 days to complete (2 nights of camping) and the loop includes making the climbs to Dragon's Tooth, McAfee Knob, and Tinker Cliffs, and it begins and ends at the Route 311 Appalachian Trail trailhead.

Let me just come out and say it, the Appalachian Trail is the easiest Triple Crown trail for first-time thru-hikers. I know that this opinion might bristle some toe hairs, but it is also the truth.

The Continental Divide Trail

Considered by many to be the most challenging and remote of the Triple Crown trails, the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail is a 3000+ mile adventure from Mexico to Canada, traveling through five western states.

This year, on October 22, Jackson Parell (21) and Sammy Potter (22) completed their Calendar Year Triple Crown. They are now the youngest and faced a ton of adversity in their push through more than 7,400 miles of thru-hiking.

The American Discovery Trail is a 6,800-mile route that travels from coast to coast across 15 states and boasts the longest distance of any U.S. trail.

Continental Divide Trail - 3,100 miles

The Continental Divide Trail rounds out the Triple Crown of Backpacking in the USA, and of the big three, it is by far the most difficult.

Of the three races in the Triple Crown, which race is considered the most difficult? The Belmont Stakes. The distance of 1 1/2 miles is a distance that none of these horses will likely never run again.

The Great Himalaya Trail is without doubt the toughest single trail in the world. But few can spare the months required to trek the thousands of miles of trail. Instead, we've picked the best section to immerse you into this incredible trail.

Not only do horses get little rest between each race, but they are asked to rely on a different set of skills at different distances. The winning Thoroughbred in the Derby will almost always face new competition in the Preakness or Belmont, against horses who come in fresh.

Which is better, PCT or Appalachian? ›

The AT is more draining on the body, but the social culture and more consistent trips into town keep the mind and spirit healthy. The PCT has a way of wearing down the mind before the body, but all the hikers said that the beauty of the PCT was much greater and more inspiring than the AT.

Only about 400 people total have completed all three of these trails over a lifetime, most of whom take 4-6 months for each hike. I was the first female to complete the Calendar Year Triple Crown and I am the only woman to have completed the Triple Crown trails each 3 times.

In the entirety of major league history, there have been only 12 triple crowns. However, if you extend this out to include the Negro Leagues, and why would you not, then there have been 27 triple crown winners. Here is a full list of all 27 triple crown winners, including the Negro Leagues.

Snooker's Triple Crown – an exclusive club

Players who have won all three events at some point throughout their career are said to have won the Triple Crown. Only 11 players in history have achieved the feat of winning at least one UK Championship, Masters and World Championship title.

How Many People Have Done the Whole Pacific Crest Trail? According to the Pacific Crest Trail Association website, 9,421 people have completed the the PCT as of 2023, and 112 of those people did it more than once.