Over five months, she trekked from the Mexican border up through California, Oregon, and Washington, finishing at the Canadian border. Along the way, she navigated challenging terrains, braved harsh weather, and deepened her faith.

As a single mother who homeschooled her two sons, now 21 and 24, Jacko dedicated years to raising her family. When her sons left home for college and careers, she searched for direction.

“It’s a different life now since I’m not homeschooling them,” she said. “What do you do when all your time is spent as a single parent?”

To fill the void, Jacko began exploring local trails in Pennsylvania. She started with day hikes on the Mid-State Trail, covering six miles at first, then gradually increasing her distance. “I worked up to 12 miles, just kept growing,” Jacko said. She tackled the Standing Stone Trail and the Quehanna Trail, each spanning about 80 miles.

Submitted photo
Kimberly Jacko’s faith inspired her to hike the entire 2,650-mile Pacific Crest Trail.

Building on her growing passion for hiking, Jacko expanded her horizons. She completed half of the Appalachian Trail from Georgia to Pennsylvania, hiked the 1,100-mile Florida Trail, and conquered the 800-mile Arizona Trail. Altogether, she amassed over 7,000 miles on foot. “I got used to it, what I need to bring, what it entails,” she said.

Undertaking the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) was her most ambitious challenge yet. The PCT spans deserts, forests, and mountains, reaching elevations up to 13,500 feet at Forester Pass. “It was the hardest thing I’ve ever done besides childbirth,” Jacko admitted. The trail demands endurance, with hikers often spending 12-hour days covering 20 to 30 miles.

The journey was not without perils. Jacko faced snow-covered passes, wildfires, and river crossings with waist-deep water. “There were snow passages that are really dangerous,” Jacko said. At times, she had to evacuate due to fires or wait for snow to melt before moving forward. Lightning storms and floods added to the challenges. “You’re just trying to get out of the woods before dark,” she said.

Hiking alone, Jacko relied on the kindness of strangers for transportation when needed. She shuttled herself using her van, hitchhiked, and connected with “trail angels” who assist hikers along the route. Navigating desolate areas with limited cell phone service required caution. Once, disoriented at nightfall, she called 911 and was airlifted to safety. “They didn’t mind; they help out, and they’re trained to do that,” she said.

Her faith played a central role throughout the journey. “I am a believer in Christ, and my faith is based upon the Bible,” she explained. Jacko used her time on the trail to witness to others, sharing gospel tracts and giving out mustard seeds in tiny jars as symbols of faith. “I bring tracts with me, and I share the word, the good news gospel with people,” she said.

Submitted photo
Kimberly Jacko’s faith inspired her to hike the entire 2,650-mile Pacific Crest Trail.

She found many fellow hikers were searching for purpose. Conversations about faith gave her hike deeper meaning.

“People go on the trail because they are depressed or they’re missing and lacking something in life,” she observed. “Everywhere I go, I share the good news. It’s what Jesus commanded us to do.”

Jacko also turned her trek into a fundraiser for the Heart of Tioga Pregnancy Resource Center. She asked supporters to pledge per mile, raising money to help women and families in need.

“That was another reason why it gave me a little desire to keep up and finish it,” she said. She plans to volunteer as a women’s advocate with the organization, dedicating time each week to support their mission.

Now back home, Jacko reflects on the experience with a mix of relief and longing. “It’s sad at the same time because you’re like, now what?” she admitted. The routine of the trail, while demanding, provided structure and purpose. “I think all the hikers go through some sort of downplay of it. They miss it,” she said.

She is considering future adventures, including completing the northern half of the Appalachian Trail and tackling the 3,100-mile Continental Divide Trail. “Maybe next year,” she mused. “The Continental Divide is looking–maybe.” Known to be even more challenging than the PCT, it offers the kind of test she now craves.

Through her hikes, Jacko discovered the beauty of nature and a renewed purpose. “My faith keeps growing every day, every month, every year on different levels,” she shared. “I feel more confident and courageous.” The majestic landscapes moved her deeply. “I would cry like every day, just be thankful and grateful for what I saw,” she said. “All my senses were awakened.”

Her advice to others considering such a journey is to start slow, listen to your body, and trust in your abilities. “You start slow,” she said. “You build up to it.” She emphasizes the importance of physical and mental preparation, likening it to training for any sport. “Hiking is a sport,” she said. “You figure it’s like trial and error.”

For Jacko, the trails are more than paths through the wilderness–they are routes to personal growth, spiritual fulfillment, and connections with others. “It’s like my niche now,” she said. “I was glad to have done it.” She believes everyone can find purpose in life and encourages others to explore and seek out their own paths.

Looking ahead, Jacko is optimistic about the future. Whether volunteering in her community or setting out on another long-distance hike, she remains committed to her faith and her newfound passion. “I feel more confident and bolder,” she said. “It’s very powerful.”

As she continues to hike and share her message, Jacko exemplifies determination and devotion. Her journey on the Pacific Crest Trail stands as a remarkable achievement, reflecting physical endurance and a profound inner voyage. Through miles of rugged terrain and moments of solitude, she found what many seek: a deeper understanding of herself and a calling to inspire others.