Trans America Trail

Not sure where I SHOULD post this...

Anyone here interested in doing the Trans America Trail, or a section of the trail?

It runs from the East Coast to the West Coast, not necessarily an intense off-road experience, but something I've thought about doing for quite a while.

Didn't post in regional because it covers so many areas...

https://www.transamtrail.com/

 

sounds fun, wish I had the time.
BTW, the link doesn't work or maybe the site is down right now

 

Same here, tried the link and can’t get it to load

 

This is exactly the type of adventure I dream of. Have to do things like this in stages as at best I only have 4-7 days 3-4 times per year. Where are you located?

Here is the link https://www.transamtrail.com/

 

Think this is the right link, thanks waterloo!!

https://www.transamtrail.com/

 

We are planning on doing some the trail this year on motorcycles. Might bring along the kid and wife and they'd be in the truck, or not.

When you going?

 

Not sure yet, putting some feelers out. I'd like to try and maybe get some folks that have done it before, or at least had some experience in overlanding..

I do know that summer, and winter are probably out just because of heat in the desert in the summer, and brutal cold and snow in the winter...

 

Good Morning,

You have inspired me. I am planning to do the Atlantic Spur during the first week of March. Initial Plan is to arrive in Nags Head, North Carolina on Saturday February 25 and depart the morning of the 26th. Planning three days of travel 26, 27, 28 and wherever (Hoping it is Burnsville, VA) I am then at the end of the day on the 28th heading home. As home for me is New Hampshire, I will turn north on the main TAT at the intersection and travel as far as I can in West Virginia on the main line on the way home.

Anyone wanting to join in is welcome! As of now this is my official planning thread. I just ordered the GPS Tracks.

 

Realized I was high jacking your thread. Sorry about that. I will start a thread in Trip Reports. Feel free to join in.

 

Don't feel that way at all!! Have you done this kind of thing before?
Camping, cooking, living off the grid? I haven't and was hoping to get some more experienced folks to help me figure out what I'll need, and how to set up the truck

 

Looks fun! It’s too bad they didn’t route it further south into New Mexico. I drove a lot of off highway roads from Southern California to Austin, Texas one winter, and there were some awesome trails crossing New Mexico, but they are not advisable when wet. As the weather was really cold and the ground was frozen hard when I started, I tried it anyway. But then when I was halfway through, the weather got warm the next day and the frozen trail turned to muck while I was in the middle of it. That was a lot of fun, and luckily the carwash owner didn’t see me in Austin!

 

When are you planning on doing it? That will be a huge variable in your planning. My rig is kind of oversupplied as it’s for off road 4-season camping. If you’re going to be in spring or summer, you only need basic necessities.

 

Truck camping I have done my entire life. Many off grid weekends in the deserts of SoCal in my teens and 20s. At that point limited overland travel great distances as it was not really a thing back then.

Truck is set up and ready to go. Happy to share the set up. Best thing in my estimation is to remember there are needs and wants. Need... to eat, sleep, hygiene needs and travel (vehicle set ups). Basic is ok as long as it works. Happy to describe what I have and what I have had. From a Sears canvas pup tent to a truck carpet kit to a RTT. I have had them all. These discussions and planning are part of the fun.

I think the advantage of doing the TAT in sections and beginning with the east is learning as you go. The Atlantic spur is more road than trail to my knowledge at this point. As the trail moves west it becomes more off pavement.

For me, I am confident with the camping and living. I am focused on learning off road navigation as it is different from simply following google maps. Again the Atlantic spur seems to be more pavement based.

I am downloading the TAT section GPS way point maps and buying the state paper maps.

Post up what you have for gear and lets talk it over. I am happy to do the same.

 

I did it in 2021. Flew to Oregon, bought my Taco and started east. I went off-route frequently to visit points of interest and friends. It took me five weeks.

I recommend west:east, leaving in late-ish June. Early enough to avoid western fire season and late enough that most of the snow has melted from the passes in Colorado.

I bought self-rescue stuff in Oregon … I had on-line orders pending for in-store pick-up at HD and REI.

Because I was solo and running alone, I did not get crazy in the rock (crawling) sections.

 

There's a thread here from a few years ago on the guy who did it east to west. Lots of posts and pics and stories! I've actually thought about it.

 

I really don't have anything other than my truck with RSI Smart-cap, which is currently leaking and am starting the warranty process, never camped.
I followed one guy who did it on a totally stock 4Runner a few years back, and that's what's driven me to want to do this.
I remember a few things that he said that should be considered necessary, Winch, chainsaw, mud tires, small heater, bit that's all I remember.

 

You can do the TAT without camping.

 

Start Simple. Go camping.
Shelter - tent or truck bed, sleeping bag,pillow etc
Food - Cooler, stove, Utensils, Food you like
Comfort - a chair, light, etc,

Invitation is open if you want to join me at end of Feb. in North Carolina.


Do a simple set up and go to a campground for one night. Try it out and begin to adjust/build from there.

As you begin to describe winches, recovery gear, etc. you are talking about overland travel which is not needed to camp or car camp. You are in Florida. A heater I would image is very rarely or never needed.

 

I live very close to the southern middle tn part. Flooded roads is pretty common since your close to the rivers.

 

Thanks for the information. My first leg this time is the Atlantic Spur. North Carolina to Virginia. Most of this I understand is two lane paved back roads.