When Julianne Mahoney stepped off the front steps of Nevada’s State Capitol in late June, she didn’t just take the first steps of a hike. She began a journey of grit, resilience, and beauty—1,600 miles north, all the way to the U.S.-Canada border. Fifty-nine days later, she stood at the Northern Terminus monument, having averaged 27 miles a day and becoming the very first hiker to complete the Carson City to Canada Quest.
The Quest, announced in 2024 by Visit Carson City, was designed to highlight the new 16-mile Capital to Tahoe Trail, which links Carson City directly to the Tahoe Rim Trail and, ultimately, the famed Pacific Crest Trail. From there, it’s possible—if ambitious adventurers are willing—to keep walking until they hit Canada.
“The Capital to Tahoe Trail connects Carson City directly into some of the most iconic wilderness in the country,” says Lydia Beck, Marketing and Public Relations Manager for Visit Carson City. “The Quest was designed to shine a light on that, showing that from the steps of Nevada’s Capitol, you can lace up your boots and quite literally walk all the way to Canada. It was a bold way for us to showcase that Carson City holds its own adventures and is the gateway to many more.”
For Mahoney, who has long loved long-distance hiking, the experience tested both body and mind. “I hope more hikers take a chance and get out on trail,” she says. “Whether that's for a weekend or a summer! It's easy to get overwhelmed by the idea of completing the entire trail but you don't have to do the entire trail to have a magical experience. All you need to do is a little preparation and the trail is your oyster!”
Mahoney’s trek was marked by many mental, physical, and even emotional challenges Yet, she ventured on, finding serenity in alpine swims, mountain sunsets, and small moments of trail camaraderie.
And, she wasn’t the only one tackling the Quest. Audrey Payne, the second hiker selected for the challenge, reflected on her final push to the border in September: “At this stage of the journey, I am so mentally and physically exhausted. But by now, I’ve been through it all: heat waves, thunderstorms, high altitude, ice-cold creek crossings, snow, burn zones, and more. I’ve been practicing resilience with each step. I know if I keep putting one foot in front of the other, I’ll make it to the border!”
While only two hikers set out on the inaugural Quest, the trail is open to anyone with a sense of adventure. Carson City may be known for its history, but thanks to the Capital to Tahoe Trail, it’s also the start of journeys that span mountains, states, and even international borders.
“It felt unreal that after a delicious breakfast at Squeeze In, I just casually started walking for two months!” - Julianne Mahoney