Hi! I am Chuck, also known as Orange Man. Welcome to The Retired Hiker, a blog about my life in retirement focusing on hiking, long-distance backpacking, and the adventures of Dana (a.k.a. Pitcrew) and Chuck in our Travel Trailer.
I retired after my wife died in 2021 and jumped into hiking and long-distance backpacking as a way deal with what I call “Life Part II”. I have thru-hiked the Appalachian Trail and have a multi-year plan for the Pacific Crest Trail, the Colorado Trail, and numerous other long-distance trails.
As a reward to myself for completing the Appalachian Trail, we purchased a Travel Trailer in late 2024. I base out of the trailer on short multi-day hiking trips. Dana and I take the trailer on long weekends and week-long regional trips. Our plan is to tour the country in the trailer once Dana retires in a few more years.
Until a that time, I plan to do as many long-distance hikes as I can manage while not completely abandoning Dana for the trail! Hence our blog’s tagline “Side Trials of Retirement Bliss”.
Recent Trail Journals
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Started the day with a road walk through tunnels and ended the day at the Angeles Christian Camp.
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Awesome ascent of Mount Baden Powell. Nice afternoon and an amazing camp with nighttime views of the LA lights.
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Zero day in Wrightwood, a big 5-day resupply for the trek to Agua Dulce, and a family dinner.
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Long steady climb out of Cajon Pass to Wrightwood. Rented a house and taking a zero day in Wrightwood.
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Long desert day with amazing views. Got to visit the famous McDonald’s at Cajon Pass and cross under I-15 and old Route 66.