Rue McKenrick
Rue McKenrick is a professional backpacker, triple crowner, and originator. He has recently completed his first scouting hike of the American Perimeter Trail on Saturday, October 8, 2022 in Bend, OR. Rue spent the better half of the last three years in the backcountry hiking roughly 14,000 miles along the perimeter of America. While out on the trail he created a non-profit organization called the American Perimeter Trail Conference. The conference will aid in the protection of the trail, help up keep trail maintenance, and build a community around the trail. Scouting and creating a conference was part of phase 1.
He is now on phase 2. Phase 2 will consist of re-scout missions on the trail to solidify the final route for safety and efficacy. He and the conference will also get approval for National Scenic Trail status from congress in order to ensure funding and conservation of the trail for generations to come. How does one have the strength, courage, and determination to take on one of the biggest conservation efforts in America?
How does one have the strength, courage, and determination to take on one of the biggest conservation efforts in America? Well, that's where we, Wilderness Mindset, comes in. Wilderness Mindset and Rue McKenrick have teamed up to create a documentary of this effort. We will take a dive into who Rue is. Where does his determination, courage and strength come from. Where does the official route go. What is the goal. And let's face it, there has to be some crazy stories that must have taken place. Alex Maier and Amy Robin will film, interview, edit, and put together this compelling story of one man's journey to create a corridor of American in the largest conservation effort in the US.
Let's Build iT!
Official Trailer
The making of The American Perimeter Trail Documentary
Behind the Scenes
We drove out to Oregon to follow Rue for the last week of his three year long hike. He left Bend, OR heading south and after about 14,000 miles of hiking he was approaching Bend again from the north. We hiked with him and filmed a lot of interviews, trying to capture some of the stories from his adventures on his walk around America. This behind the scenes series shows what it takes to film a documentary in the backcountry.
Homecoming Hike Day 1
Rue McKenrick hikes home after completing his 14,000 mile hike around America to create the American Perimeter Trail. He left Bend, Oregon heading south in 2019, three years later he is completing the loop by hiking into Bend from the north. We are making a documentary about his incredible hike and the trail he is creating for land conservation. We joined Rue for the last week of his hike and followed him home.
Homecoming Hike Day 2 & 3
Our second and third day of filming with Rue as he hikes into Bend on the Pacific Crest Trail.
Homecoming Hike Day 4
On our 4th day in the backcountry we leave the wilderness as the Pacific Crest Trail crosses a highway. Amy picks us up and we enjoy a luxurious night of car camping. It also gives us a chance to back up all our footage and charge camera batteries.
Homecoming Hike Day 5
We start our morning at McKenzie Pass, an incredible volcanic landscape. Rue shares stories of some people he met on his three-year hike around America.
Homecoming Hike Day 6
Rue shares some wisdom he’s learned while hiking and he meets some fellow hikers on the PCT.
Homecoming Hike Day 7
It’s the last day on trail for Rue after hiking for 3 years! He departs from the Pacific Crest Trail and heads toward Bend, Oregon. Rue makes a stop at the waterfall he started the whole journey at.
Homecoming Hike Day 8
After 3 years and roughly 14,000 miles of hiking, Rue hikes into Bend, Oregon. He left Bend in 2019 heading south, he hiked a full loop around the United States and hiked back into Bend from the North.
Passion projects require funding.
If this project interest you, we ask that you donate to our GoFundMe fundraiser. Help us create the largest conservation effort in America. This documentary will be instrumental in spreading awareness about APT's mission and help the APT become a National Scenic Trail.