MammothMarch
Another Adventure-MammothMarch is on its way to Texas.
I'm passionate about finding outdoor adventures. During a recent trip to Western New York, I had the chance to explore the area, which led to two significant discoveries. First, I came across an amazing online hiking Facebook group Hike-WNY. As someone who runs Houston Women's Hiking Facebook group, I was surprised to find be a recipient and found so much valuable information as a newcomer and lurker.
As a woman traveling alone, I was seeking safe hiking options, which is how I discovered Hike-WNY. As you'll learn in my memoir, "One Foot in Front of the Other: Art, Hiking, and Healing," I grew up in this region, so I know some places, but honestly, I left at a young age and didn't get to explore much. The memories I do have of those times are often vague. I was too young to appreciate the area or was too stoned to remember. Yes, it was the 70's.
I was searching for a place to spend a few days when I discovered Letchworth State Park. The wonderful members of the Hike-WNY Facebook group not only helped me find safe hiking trails and addressed my concerns, but they also provided recommendations for places to stay, things to see along the way, and a wealth of resources. In fact, I had the opportunity to meet some of these members when I was hiking in Letchworth State Park.
MammothMarch
I was initially upset to find out that I had chosen the same weekend as MammothMarch, as I was unsure about parking availability, the potential crowding of the trails, and how difficult it would be with such a large event taking place. However, those on the Hike-WNY Facebook group reassured me about the size of Letchworth State Park and the MammothMarch, ensuring that I wouldn’t face any significant issues. They were mostly right; however, finding lodging proved to be quite difficult. Since I had flown in, I didn’t have my van for camping, which I really missed. I also didn’t have any camping gear.
I discovered Silverlaken, and it looked amazing! I will definitely consider it if I ever return to that area. It had everything I was looking for, including cabins, fire pits, and kayaks. Unfortunately, they only had availability for camping by the water without electricity, which wasn’t a feasible option for me.
Instead, I ended up about 20 minutes north of Letchworth at a Roadway Inn. It wasn’t fancy, but the prices were reasonable. The Inn had an outdoor balcony, and I just needed a safe place to sleep.
MammothMarch was truly the spark that ignited an incredible passion within me. As I mentioned in my interview with Michael Mitreuter, the creator of MammothMarch, the energy among the hikers was palpable. I found myself clapping and cheering them on throughout their twenty-mile journey.
For those who are unfamiliar with MammothMarch, it is an event that Michael started during the COVID pandemic. Participants embark on a 20-mile hike, which can be completed in either eight hours or over the course of one day. As Michael said, "It's not a race, it's not a competition. I would say, you don't compete with one another, you all compete against the distance. That is what makes it a big community thing rather than a competition."
"It's not a race, it's not a competition. I would say, you don't compete with one another, you all compete against the distance. That is what makes it a big community thing rather than a competition."
MammothMarch takes place in various locations across the country. You can challenge yourself with one event and then participate in another. I was truly impressed by the hikers and delighted to have the opportunity to conduct an impromptu interview with them.
If you're interested in a MammothMarch near you, you can check them out at MammothMarch.com.
The Texas MammothMarch
This MammothMarch is the closest to us in Houston Women's Hiking. It will be in Texas, February 21 or 22, 2026 at Dinosaur Valley State Park. Sign up early because spaces go quickly. There is a charge to do the hike, and if you're interested, they're also looking for volunteers. Check out this video from Women Stepping Outside on YouTube about MammothMarch and the experiences of some of the participants. It may just spark something in you as well.
- About MammothMarch Texas
- 2025 Route- check with Mammoth March for the route for 2026
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Bridgette Mongeon is the admin of Houston Women's Hiking and an advocate for women in the outdoors. You can find her new memoir on Amazon. "One Foot in Front of the Other: Art, Hiking, and Healing,"