Hiking's Triple Crown Quiz | Hobbies

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. The Appalachian Trail (traveling north) begins in the Chattahoochee National Forest in which state?

Answer: Georgia

The Appalachian Trail begins in the Chattahoochee National Forest in northern Georgia. The Trail then bisects the entirety of the Great Smokey Mountains National Park on the South Carolina/Tennessee border before entering North Carolina and proceeding northward.

2. Of the three trails, which is the longest in the U.S.?

Answer: The Continental Divide Trail

The Continental Divide Trail is the longest at 3,028 miles (4,873 km). The Pacific Crest Trail is second at 2,653 miles (4,270 km), followed by The Appalachian Trail at 2,194 (3,530 km). Both The Continental Divide Trail and the Pacific Crest Trail continue into Canada and Mexico.

3. The Pacific Crest Trail passes through three states (CA, OR, WA) and six national parks, North Cascades, Yosemite, Crater Lake, Mt. Rainer, and Lassen Volcanic. Wait, that's only five, which one is missing?

Answer: King's Canyon National Park

King's Canyon National Park is located in California's Southern Sierra Mountains. It was originally named General Grant National Park when it opened in 1890. The name change and an expansion occurred in 1940. The park contains some of the world's deepest canyons.

4. The Continental Divide Trail (from north to south) enters the U.S. in Montana. Through which state does it exit the U.S.?

Answer: New Mexico

The north/south route of the Continental Divide Trail in the U.S. runs over 3000 miles from Montana to New Mexico. Along its route are three National Parks. At Glacier National Park the trail routes hikers near Triple Divide Peak. The Peak is the one spot in North America where a drop of water may run off in three directions, west toward the Pacific Ocean, east toward the Atlantic Ocean or north to the Arctic Ocean.

The Peak is the hydrological apex of North America. The Continental Divide itself runs over 6,000 miles from Cape Prince of Wales in Alaska to Tierra del Fuego at the southernmost tip of Argentina.

5. Of the 14 states traversed by the Appalachian Trail which one has the fewest miles?

Answer: West Virginia

West Virginia has on 4 miles of the Appalachian Trail, while Virginia has the most with 554. A distant second is Maine with 281 miles. While short, the Trail in West Virginia does pass through Harper's Ferry, a place of great historical significance.

6. Of the three long-distance trails in the U.S., the Continental Divide Trail is considered the most demanding.

Answer: True

True. The Continental Divide Trail (CDT) is the longest and most remote of the three. There are long distances between food/water sources and few towns. The weather on the CDT is unpredictable. The CDT requires the most survival skills of the three. Each trail presents its own challenges. The Appalachian Trail has rough terrain, while the Pacific Crest Trail has some weather challenges.

7. Of the three long distance trails in the U.S. which one is the most equestrian friendly?

Answer: Pacific Crest Trail

The Pacific Crest Trail was specifically designed for equestrian use. There are numerous water stations and grazing areas. The Appalachian Trail's terrain and narrow paths make it problematic for riders, although some sections allow it. The Continental Divide Trail also allows sectional riders, but the lack of water and grazing areas make thru-riding unwise.

8. The Continental Divide Trail (CDT) traverses five states but only three national parks. In which states does the CDT not pass through a National Park?

Answer: New Mexico and Idaho

The CDT passes through 4 National Forests in New Mexico, but no National Parks. The trail follows the Idaho/Montana border for 270 miles before heading into Montana. No National Parks are located along the route in Idaho.

9. The General Grant Tree in King's Canyon National Park is the largest tree in the world by volume.

Answer: False

False. The General Grant Tree is the second largest tree in the world by volume. The largest is the General Sherman Tree, also a Giant Sequoia located about 25 miles away in Sequoia National Park. Although less than 10 feet taller, General Sherman's volume is 6000 cubic feet greater than General Grant. General Sherman is also older, around 2200 years to 1650 years for General Grant.

10. This quiz has highlighted Hiking's Triple Crown, all vertical routes but there is one other long-distance trail that deserves mentioning. It is more horizontal and twisting. It travels through six national parks in two states. Can you name it?

Answer: The Hayduke Trail

The Hayduke Trail is named after a fictional character from a book written by Edward Abbey. The trail links the six national parks on the Colorado Plateau: Grand Canyon, Bryce, Arches, Canyonlands, Capital Reef, and Zion. The trail's hazardous route is meant to pay tribute to Abbey and others who come forward to defend the sanctity of threatened public lands. Abbey was an anarchist who promoted violence and is idolized by the radical environmentalist movement.

He mellowed his attitude toward violence in his later years.

Source: Author ncterp

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor Bruyere before going online.
Any errors found in FunTrivia content are routinely corrected through our feedback system.

Hiking's Triple Crown Trivia Quiz

Yes, hiking has a Triple Crown. It involves three long distance hiking trails - The Appalachian, Continental Divide, and Pacific Crest Trails. This quiz covers all three, plus one.

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