Upcoming events.
xTx Trail Talks: Live at DFW
An Invite from Charlie!
About the Event
Thank you for your interest in joining us on Tuesday, September 29th from 5:30 to 7:30 pm in the Dallas/Fort Worth area to learn more about the xTexas Trail Association and our work creating the 1,500-mile epic adventure for hiking, cycling, and horseback riding that rambles through the heart of rural Texas.
This is the first trail of its kind for the Lone Star state, and is capturing the hearts, imaginations, and support of people across the state.
The DFW area is important to the trail! Our founder Charlie Gandy is a native of Mesquite, our Executive Director Laura Wood is from Dallas and based in Fort Worth, and our event host and super volunteer Don Dykstra is located in Southlake.
Come be a part of the conversation about creating a spur trail from the DFW area to meet up with the xTx!
Charlie Gandy during his inaugural thru hike of the xTexas Trail in March 2026
This will be a fun, informative evening featuring a short presentation by xTx founder Charlie Gandy on how he came up with the idea of the xTx and the exciting things unfolding right now.
The founder of BikeTexas, and former Texas state legislator, Gandy is an advocate for active living. From Jan thru March 2026 Gandy and two of his friends thru-hiked the full xTexas route, and Charlie has biked over 300 miles of it. In 2025 xTx super volunteer Rhea Wallace cycled the full route.
xTx Trail Talks: Live at DFW includes complimentary drinks and appetizers, raffle prizes, opportunities to mix and mingle with xTx Executive Director Laura Wood, board members, volunteers, and more!
Hosted by xTx super volunteer Don Dykstra and held at the gorgeous VariSpace Southlake Social Area this will be a fun, informative evening. Ample free parking!
The event is FREE - but - RSVP’s are required!
Please click here - OR - below to RSVP and tell us how many are in your group.
Want to help us get the word out?
» Click here to access our Google Drive folder of event social media cards + print PDF!
Event Map
The gorgeous VariSpace Southlake Social Area where the event will be held.
Reserve your complimentary ticket today with GiveButter!
About the xTx
This is a citizen led work in progress that launched as an idea in June of 2024!
The xTexas Trail Association is creating a 1,500-mile adventure trail through the heart of rural Texas, connecting hikers, cyclists, and horseback riders with the state’s amazingly unique landscapes, cultures and people.people.
We’ve hit some remarkable milestones so far, but would love you to join us to keep the momentum and accomplishments going.
In just two years, with the support of people like you, we’ve:
Mapped and ground proofed by foot and cycling a 1,500-mile target rich adventure route across the heart of rural Texas.
Created the route on Ride with GPS
Launched the xTexas.org website and social media presence.
Began as a project of BikeTexas. In late fall 2025 became our own 501c3 as the xTexas Trail Association.
Hired a development director as our Executive Director and expanded our board.
The route has been both thru cycled and thru hiked.
Launched on the FarOut app - the premier navigational app for thru hikers around the world.
Began developing Trailhead Towns along the route. Bandera is our first official Trailhead Town.
The xTexas Trail has been featured in over 40 media stories including CNN’s 5 Good Things podcast, Fox News online, Gear Junkie, NPR’s All Things Considered, Texas Monthly, the Texas Standard, Texas Public Radio and more!
Trail Talks! Meet Our New Executive Director Laura Wood
Live on Zoom: Thursday, July 9th
Time: 12:15 pm - 1:00 pm
This Trail Talk will be a facilitated Zoom conversation with our new Executive Director Laura Wood and xTx Founder and Board Chair Charlie Gandy.
>> It's a 45 minute lunch-time conversation (feel free to stay off camera if you like!)
>> They'll be plenty of time for questions
>> The call will be recorded and posted to our YouTube
WHAT WE'LL COVER:
Why Laura focused her career in fundraising on conservation
efforts.What it was like for her living in a Trailhead Town on the
Appalachian Trail.How the Appalachian Trail influenced Charlie so much in developing the concept of the xTx and key lessons learned from this epic historic trail.
The tremendously positive economic impact of long distance trails on rural economies, a benefit Texas has yet to tap into!
15 minutes for your Q&A
The conversation will be recorded and shared on YouTube with all who register
About Laura Wood
Laura started her 20 year career with The Nature Conservancy of Texas. In 2009 she took over her family’s foundation named in honor of her grandmother Dorothy Marcille Wood. She currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Friends of the Fort Worth Nature Center & Refuge.
About Charlie Gandy
Charlie began his professional career at 23 the then youngest member to serve in the Texas House. After a short time with The Nature Conservancy of Texas, he funded BikeTexas, then became a leadership trainer for active living advocacy organizations across the U.S.
March 26 Zoom Happy Hour
Zoom Happy Hour -Trailhead Towns 101:
How Long-Distance Trails Transform Local Economies
When: Wednesday, March 25th 6:30-7:30 pm Central Time
Join our Executive Director Beckie Irvin and special guest Matthew J. Nelson Executive Director for the Arizona Trail Association for an informative and inspiring conversation on how local communities can utilize long distance trails like the xTx to help revitalize local economies.
Who should attend:
Chambers of Commerce
Council members
Local tourism related businesses
Convention & Visitor Bureaus
Executive Directors of outdoor focused non profits
Small business owners
Anyone interested in rural economic development
Happy Hour Format:
40 minutes: Learnings from gateway communities on the AZT.
20 minutes: Q&A
About the Arizona Trail Association
The Arizona National Scenic Trail is a non-motorized path from Mexico to Utah, stretching 800 diverse miles across Arizona to link deserts, mountains, canyons, forests, history, communities and diverse peoples.
The Arizona Trail Association’s mission is to protect, maintain, enhance, promote and sustain the Arizona Trail as a unique encounter with the natural environment.
Since 1994, the ATA has trained and coordinated tens of thousands of volunteers to help build and maintain the Arizona Trail. The ATA’s primary focus is on protecting and maintaining the trail, and we have a number of outreach programs to engage community members in the Arizona Trail experience. Learn more about it at azt.org!
xTx January Happy Hour
Join Us for a Special Zoom Happy Hour!
The new version of the xTx Trail route is finally ready on Ride with GPS!
We’ll debut the new route during this hour long Happy Hour call and also have time for your questions for our Founder and Board Chair Charlie Gandy (who’ll be calling in from thru hiking the trail), our ED Beckie Irvin, and our super volunteer Reed Sallans who painstakingly put together this new route in GPS in collaboration with Beckie and Charlie.
About the call: 6:30 PM Central Time, 60 minutes on Zoom
In order to participate we need you to register below! You’ll be emailed the Zoom link details the week of the call.
Like what we’re doing to make the first cross-state hiking, biking and equestrian adventure trail for Texas?
About Reed Sallans
Reed Sallans is an outdoor recreation professional, cyclist, and route creator who believes some of the best ways to understand a place are on two wheels. Originally from Austin, Texas and now based in Missoula, MT. Reed has spent years designing and riding routes to get from point A to A, often by the path less traveled. His work blends logistics, storytelling, and a deep appreciation for the people and places that make bike travel meaningful. Above all, he just wants more people to get out there, ride bikes, and enjoy doing it.
Zoom Call Registration
Like what we’re doing to make the first cross-state hiking, biking and equestrian adventure trail for Texas?
Donate
Volunteer Call with our ED in Training Beckie Irvin
Please join us for our first Volunteer Zoom call with our new Executive Director in Training Beckie Irwin.
Beckie will share the “menu” of volunteer opportunities she’s organized so people can participate in a way that’s the most meaningful for you and works with your schedule. Here's a sneak peek at some of the volunteer opportunities she'll be rolling out:
Show & Tell Events: Outreach Support
Show & Tell Events: Marketing Support - Photographers, videographers, social media pros
Trail Historians: xTx Storytelling
Sweaty Taste of xTx Hill Country: Event Support (11/2-8/25) - Equestrians, Hikers, Bicyclists
Trail Angels & Warm Showers Hosts
Connect us with Landowners
Future Volunteer Opportunities: Grant Writers & additional ground proofing weekends
xTx Update: Why We're Focused on a Horse Health Standard
On next live xTx Zoom call update Charlie, Melissa, xTx advisors and expert volunteers will be sharing why it became clear the xTx needs to be created to a “Horse Healthy” standard to make the trail safe and friendly for all trail travelers.
Charlie’s learning that leading with horses is opening far more doors with landowners than he thought!
Everyone’s welcome! Make sure to register below.
Horse Healthy Standards: A Conversation with Equestrians
We’re asking seasoned, expert equestrians with skills and knowledge of horse needs on the trail to help us craft recommendations for a “xTx Horse Healthy” designation for communities and towns along the cross Texas trail.
If you have a deep understanding of the logistics to make sure horses are safe, and comfortable on long distance trails we’d love to you join us to weight in.
Please register for the Zoom call with the link below!
Santa Elena Canyon Day Trip
Charlie’s looking for 2 - 4 people to join him on a day hike of Santa Elena Canyon accompanied by one of our photographer/videographers and another journalist.
This is a 4-mile total trip, however, you need to be hardy and comfortable in the heat and hiking, wading, and possibly swimming through water and mud.
You need to be available and willing to be interviewed by Charlie in advance to confirm your skill level.
You need to be completely ready to go right on time on Sunday. This is a quick trip. It will likely be done before 4 pm.
You need to have your own reliable transportation to/from the trailhead.
You need to be willing to sign our regular waiver.
You need to be comfortable being photographed, videotaped, and even interviewed for our website and possible news stories.
xTexas Trail Happy Hour April 2025
Thursday, April 10th from 6 - 7 pm Central Time
Join us for the next xTexas Online Happy Hour! Charlie will tell us all about the adventures he, Pam LeBlanc and Nick Taylor had in their recent hike of Santa Elena Canyon in Big Bend State Park.
Charlie wants this Santa Elena Canyon route to be an alternative possibility for xTexas Trail hikers because of the water sources, and of course, the incredible beauty.
The event is free but you need to register. Bring along your favorite brew or sweet tea and join us for a fun conversation with plenty of time to have your questions answered.
xTx Trail Project Show + Tell: Sanderson
This event is free, but please RSVP so we can know how many to expect!
xTx Trail Project Show + Tell: San Marcos
The event is free - but please RSVP below so we can track the numbers!
xTexas Happy Hour - March 2025
This event is from 6 pm to 7 pm Central Time!
Join us for a special Happy Hour live from the trail! Melissa will check in this time Charlie and the others live via Zoom during the “Sweaty Tast of Texas: The First 100 Miles” group ground-proofing adventure!
As always it’s free, but you need to register to join!
Sweaty Taste of the xTx: The First 100 Miles
We need a maximum of 30 hardy self-supported types to join us to hike, bike, and trail ride the first 100 miles! Is that you?
xTexas Happy Hour - February 2025
Join us for the February 2025 live online Happy Hour via Zoom!
xTexas Show & Tell: Austin
Please join us at the BikeTexas headquarters for a preview of what’s unfolding now for the xTexas Trail Project in 2025!
Click to learn more and RSVP (required!)