The thought of hiking deep into the desert’s backcountry seemed magical at first, but soon enough I came to understand why so few trekked this far out. Just imagine taking on a hike where the mountains you climb have beach sands dumped across them as far as you could see....

It’s custom to take on a trail name once you’ve earned your stripes as a thru hiker. The birthing of my name was a simple affair. You’re from Boston? Yes. Your favorite cocktail is a Moscow mule? Yes. Well there it is, you're the Boston Mule.....

Why would one travel three hours and forty five minutes to hike five miles? Especially...