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Michael Grant

@michaelinstagrant

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🏳️‍🌈 traveler 🗺 hufflepuff 🦡 swiftie 🫶
56 countries & counting 🌎
PCT 2026 🥾✨
@atravelersmiles

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*** GOOD MORNING *PCT* ***

Y’ALL ASKED FOR MORE BROADWAY! 🎭😏

cinematography by @sidequestsummits

#pct pacificcresttrail #thruhike #broadway #trending by @michaelinstagrant

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5 months ago

PCT DAY 1 ✨

🥾 Hiked: 15.3 miles
📍 Mile: 15.3
⛰️ Elevation: 2335 ft

#pct #pacificcresttrail #thruhike #backpacking #wild taken in Pacific Crest Trail PCT- Southern Terminus by @michaelinstagrant

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6 months ago

Pacific Crest Trail ✔️

April 17, 2026 - September 21, 2026

I did it. I hiked ~2,650 miles from Mexico to Canada on the Pacific Crest Trail.

I’ve been dreaming about this adventure for the past twelve years, planning it for the past two years, and living it for the past five months. And now, I’ve completed it.

For five months, I carried everything I’ve needed to survive on my back, but also 35 years of pain, trauma, insecurities, self-doubt, and fear. Could I do this? Am I strong enough? Do I even belong out here? As a gay man, there have been so many moments in my life when I’ve wondered if there was a place for me in spaces where I didn’t see people like myself. And for a while, I thought belonging was something to be earned. But somewhere along the trail, I learned that I didn’t need to look a certain way, I didn’t need permission, and that I didn’t need to prove anything to anyone.

I belonged because I was brave enough to be there.

The trail tested me physically: exhaustion, overuse, constant sore muscles, aches and pains, blisters, freezing cold nights, long stretches of rain. But more than that, it tested me mentally. And with every step, I found myself becoming stronger.

The trail also restored my faith in humanity. From the warm, welcoming energy of fellow hikers, to the incredibly generous and compassionate trail angels I met along the way. People offered food, rides, shelter, encouragement, and kindness without expecting anything in return. Strangers became family. The Pacific Crest Trail truly is the best of America, both in natural beauty and in humanity. For the overwhelming kindness of strangers, I am eternally grateful.

The Pacific Crest Trail was more than miles. It gave me confidence, strength, empowerment, showed me I can be whoever I want despite what others say. It gave me a deeper connection to the universe, humanity, my late mother, and myself.

I walked from Mexico to Canada, but more so, I walked home to myself.

Thank you, thank you, thank you for coming along with me. I’ll see you all on the next adventure. ✨

🤍 Broadway ✨

#pacificcresttrail #pct #backpacking #hiking #thruhike taken in Pacific Crest Trail Northern Terminus by @michaelinstagrant

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2 days ago

PCT DAY 158 ✨
📍 mile 2,655.0

I MADE IT TO CANADA BABY! 🇨🇦✨

#pacificcresttrail #pct #hiking #backpacking #thruhike taken in Pacific Crest Trail Northern Terminus by @michaelinstagrant

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3 days ago

PCT DAY 157 ✨
🥾 hiked 21.7 miles
📍 mile 2644.7

#pacificcresttrail #pct #backpacking #hiking #trending by @michaelinstagrant

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4 days ago

PCT DAY 156 ✨
🥾 hiked 24.9 miles
📍 mile 2623.0

#pacificcresttrail #pct #backpacking #thruhike #hiking by @michaelinstagrant

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5 days ago

PCT DAY 155
🥾 hiked 20 miles
📍 mile 2598.1

#pacificcresttrail #pct #backpacking #thruhike #hiking taken in Rainy Pass by @michaelinstagrant

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6 days ago

week 22 & week 23
september 11 - september 20
day 148-157

- enjoyed more amazing views of mt rainier 🏔️
- saw the northern cascades in the distance for the first time
- cried over how beautiful the morning mountains and low clouds were
- got caught in even more freezing cold, washington rain
- saw the first few trees changing colors; fall is here! 🍁
- took an alternate route from snoqualmie to skykomish since the pct was closed
- road walked 3 miles on a highway with no shoulder
- made the decision to skip up to stehekin (skipping stevens pass to stehekin alternate)
- enjoyed the bavarian town of leavenworth
- slept in an equestrian center and heard horses with the zoomies all night
- took the ferry to stehekin, and waited out the horrible wildfire smoke/air quality at the legendary stehekin bakery
- loved all the pit toilets washington trails provided
- was blown away by how stunning the northern cascade mountains are
- hiked 2,600 miles!
- began saying goodbye to the trail, my home for the past 5 months 🥹
- soaked up every last moment, last mile, last step of the pacific crest trail

#pacificcresttrail #pct #hiking #backpacking #thruhike by @michaelinstagrant

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6 days ago

PCT DAY 154 ✨

#pacificcresttrail #pct #backpacking #hiking #thruhike by @michaelinstagrant

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7 days ago

PCT DAY 153 ✨
🥾 hiked 0 miles
Skykomish —> Lake Chelan

#pacificcresttrail #pct #backpacking #hiking #thruhike by @michaelinstagrant

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7 days ago

PCT DAY 152 ✨
🥾 hiked 28 miles
📍mile 2467.4

#pacificcresttrail #pct #thruhike #hiking #gayhiker taken in Skykomish, Washington by @michaelinstagrant

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9 days ago

PCT DAY 151 ✨

#pacificcresttrail #pct #backpacking #thruhike #gayhiker by @michaelinstagrant

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10 days ago