How the xTexas Trail Project Started
On June 15, 2024, Charlie Gandy was hiking in Lake Tahoe California and dealing with far more snow than he realized he’d need to. He began wondering why his home state of Texas didn’t have its own cross state trail.
After all, Texas would be the perfect place weather wise when other long-distance trails were inaccessible due to snow and other weather challenges.
The more Charlie thought about it, the more he liked the idea. He called his wife Melissa (back home in Poulsbo WA) and told her about his big new hairy goal: create the first cross-state Texas trail for hiking and biking to be travelled in late fall, winter, and early spring. He’d need her help to create the website and social media. “I’m in,” she said, “but only if horses are included. It needs to be a hiking, biking, and equestrian trail.” Charlie said sure, why not?
Things moved fast!
IIn July ‘24 Charlie began researching the most rugged, romantic, and remote route across Texas he could imagine to include all of his favorite places. He mapped it out with physical maps and Ride with GPS.
In August ‘24 we launched the xTexas Trail Project website.
In September ‘24 the xTx officially became a project of BikeTexas, Charlie presented on the trail at the state-wide active transportation and trails conference, the xTx was featured online in Texas Monthly, and Charlie hit the road in a borrowed van to start testing out the route in person.
By October Charlie had a new Go-Pro camera and iPhone to tell the xTx story with and the trail began gaining traction in the news media. Melissa started sending out a weekly email newsletter and donations began pouring in from across the state.
In November over 200 people reached out to actively volunteer to help make the trail happen through the website contact form and a short survey. The caliber of talent and range of skills was inspiring.
By the end of December the xTx had met and exceeded its original