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Western Route: Year-Long Walking Journey Across the Western United States
Objective: Plan a year-long walking route starting on January 1st and ending on December 31st, covering 20 miles per day (totaling 7,300 miles), adhering to the following constraints:
>Avoid Texas
>Temperatures do not exceed 90°F
>Average low temperatures above 32°F
>Less than 5 days of rain per month
>Focus on small towns near National Forests or BLM land
>Zero rest days
>Exactly 365 days
Overview
>Total Walking Distance: 7,300 miles (20 miles/day × 365 days)
>Average Daily Walking Distance: 20 miles
Strategy: Progress northward during warmer months and southward during cooler months, adjusting elevation and latitude to maintain suitable temperatures while maximizing time in National Forests and BLM lands.
Month-by-Month Itinerary
>January (31 days, Days 1-31, 620 miles): Southern Arizona
Climate Overview:
>Average Highs: 60–70°F
>Average Lows: 35–45°F
>Rain Days: Less than 5
Route and Highlights:
Days 1-4 (Jan 1-4): Yuma, AZ to Quartzsite, AZ — 80 miles
Camping: BLM land
Highlights: Desert landscapes
Days 5-7 (Jan 5-7): Quartzsite to Ajo, AZ — 60 miles
Route Through: Kofa National Wildlife Refuge
Population: ~3,300
Days 8-9 (Jan 8-9): Ajo to Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, AZ — 40 miles
Camping: Within the monument
Highlights: Unique cacti species
Days 10-12 (Jan 10-12): Organ Pipe Cactus NM to Sasabe, AZ — 60 miles
Route Through: Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge
Days 13-15 (Jan 13-15): Sasabe to Nogales, AZ — 60 miles
Population: ~20,000 (focus on outskirts)
Days 16-18 (Jan 16-18): Nogales to Sierra Vista, AZ — 60 miles
Surroundings: Coronado National Forest
Days 19-21 (Jan 19-21): Sierra Vista to Bisbee, AZ — 60 miles
Highlights: Historic mining town
Days 22-25 (Jan 22-25): Bisbee to Lordsburg, NM — 80 miles
Crossing into New Mexico
Days 26-31 (Jan 26-31): Lordsburg to Silver City, NM — 120 miles
Surroundings: Gila National Forest
