📍 United States

INTO THE WILD TRAIL: RETRACING A LEGENDARY AMERICAN ODYSSEY

Desert heat giving way to arctic silence, abandoned buses guarding wilderness secrets, freedom's price etched in landscape. This trail transforms.

≈ 16
Days
16868
Km
11
Stops
📖 8 min read 🔄 Last updated: 2026-01-17

Follow Atlanta, then cross the Southwest to Slab City, desert margin and raw freedom. Stop at Salton Sea, strange shoreline, before continuing toward Alaska keeping course on the Stampede Trail. This journey lives as a quest, between long roads, harsh landscapes and solitude moments that force you to see differently.

Your day-by-day itinerary

1
Day

Atlanta

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3 photos
Day 1
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Discover

1
Chris finishes his studies at Emory, gives away all his savings and decides to break with his previous life to hit the road.
🎯

Activities

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Vol prochaine étape
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Next stop
✈️ Flight / transfer day
Distance: 3566.1 km
Travel time: 10h
2
Day

Lake Mead

desert reservoir marks western passage point

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8 photos
Day 2
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Discover

1
Near Lake Mead, a flood blocks his Datsun and Chris chooses to abandon it with his papers, materializing his break with society.
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Next stop
Distance: 267.5 km
Travel time: 3h21
3
Day

Grand Canyon South Rim

chasm depths mirror existential searching souls

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10 photos
Day 3
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Discover

1
Chris hikes around the Grand Canyon, tests his physical limits and tastes total freedom in the wilderness.
4
Day

Yuma Colorado

border crossing where desert heat intensifies

Yuma Colorado - Photo 1Yuma Colorado - Photo 2Yuma Colorado - Photo 3Yuma Colorado - Photo 4
4 photos
Day 4
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Discover

1
With a small kayak, Chris goes down the Colorado River to the canals of the Sonora Desert, crosses the border into Mexico then returns exhausted to the United States on foot.
5
Day

Los Angeles

urban sprawl rejected for wilderness calling

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9 photos
Day 5
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Discover

1
In Los Angeles, Chris tries to resume a more normal life with work and housing, but quickly feels trapped and hits the road again.
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Activities

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Vol prochaine étape
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Next stop
✈️ Flight / transfer day
Distance: 2716.5 km
Travel time: 10h
6
Day

Carthage

Carthage - Photo 1Carthage - Photo 2Carthage - Photo 3Carthage - Photo 4Carthage - Photo 5
5 photos
Day 6
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Discover

1
In Carthage, Chris works for Wayne Westerberg in a grain silo, befriends the locals and finds temporary balance.
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Activities

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Vol prochaine étape
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Next stop
✈️ Flight / transfer day
Distance: 2539.5 km
Travel time: 10h
7
Day

Slab

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8 photos
Day 7
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Discover

1
In Slab City, Chris lives in an alternative desert community, reunites with Jan Burres and shares a simple and marginal daily life.
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 59.9 km
Travel time: 1h
8
Day

Salton

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10 photos
Day 8
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Discover

1
In Salton City, Chris meets Ronald Franz, an old man who becomes deeply attached to him and offers to adopt him, a proposal he refuses to preserve his freedom.
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Activities

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Vol prochaine étape
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Next stop
✈️ Flight / transfer day
Distance: 2578.9 km
Travel time: 10h
9
Day

Carthage

Carthage - Photo 1Carthage - Photo 2Carthage - Photo 3Carthage - Photo 4Carthage - Photo 5
5 photos
Day 9
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Discover

1
Chris returns to Carthage, works again for Westerberg, saves money and finalizes his plan for a solo expedition to Alaska.
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Activities

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Vol prochaine étape
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Next stop
✈️ Flight / transfer day
Distance: 4949.9 km
Travel time: 10h
10
Day

Fairbanks

alaska gateway where final chapter begins

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6 photos
Day 10
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Discover

1
In Fairbanks, Chris buys some provisions and basic equipment, but refuses to equip himself heavily despite advice from locals.
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Next stop
Distance: 190.1 km
Travel time: 2h23
11
Day

Stampede Trail

twenty mile hike toward legendary wilderness bus

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8 photos
Day 11
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Discover

1
Jim Gallien drops him off at the beginning of the Stampede Trail, tries to dissuade him but Chris ventures alone into the taiga toward the abandoned bus.
12
Day

Magic Bus 142

fairbanks transit became wilderness shrine forever

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8 photos
Day 12
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Discover

1
Chris settles into bus 142, hunts small game, reads, writes in his journal and initially savors the complete solitude of wilderness life.
13
Day

Magic Bus 142

fairbanks transit became wilderness shrine forever

Magic Bus 142 - Photo 1Magic Bus 142 - Photo 2Magic Bus 142 - Photo 3Magic Bus 142 - Photo 4Magic Bus 142 - Photo 5Magic Bus 142 - Photo 6Magic Bus 142 - Photo 7Magic Bus 142 - Photo 8
8 photos
Day 13
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Discover

1
Weakened by hunger and probable poisoning, Chris becomes too weak to leave or hunt and dies alone in Magic Bus 142.

🗺️ Itinerary map

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🛡️ Travel advice - United States

Check official recommendations

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❓ Frequently asked questions

What weather should you expect?

Spring (April-May): Perfect weather across most regions (15-25°C) with blooming landscapes, moderate crowds, and excellent conditions for national parks and cities. Ideal for diverse activities nationwide.

Autumn (September-October): Excellent temperatures with spectacular fall foliage, harvest festivals, and comfortable weather. Perfect for outdoor activities, cultural events, fewer crowds than summer.

Summer (June-August): Peak season with warmest weather but highest crowds and prices. Excellent for northern regions, challenging in southwestern deserts, perfect for beaches and national parks.

Winter (December-February): Variable conditions from tropical Florida to snowy Colorado. Perfect for skiing, southern destinations, indoor attractions, lowest prices outside holiday periods.

How many days should I plan?

We believe you will enjoy this itinerary best by dedicating between 13 and 19 days. The next step will allow you to adjust the duration of your stay.

What to discover in United States?

Continental diversity with iconic landmarks, cultural melting pot, and endless possibilities. Experience natural wonders, vibrant cities, and authentic American dreams from coast to coast. The country offers incredible diversity with modern amenities and cultural richness. United States provides life-changing experiences with natural beauty and cultural authenticity.