This work of true crime utterly possessed me; I am torn between wanting my hiking friends to read it, because I don’t want any of these awful things to happen to them, or not wanting them to read it, because it will terrify them into never venturing into the wilds again. (I am probably going to buy a few copies of this book this Christmas as gifts for those same friends!) Anyone who knows someone who hikes or camps or goes “off trail” for any reason should have an eye out for this book.

The depth of Lankford’s research, the number of interviews and observations, and the countless hours and days and weeks spent in Search and Rescue to make this book happen is staggering; that alone is a draw for anyone interested in this kind of crime non-fiction. Lankford themself is well-positioned to write on the subject. As a former ranger involved in several S&R investigations, Lankford is more than a hiker. Here, Lankford takes on the role of investigative journalist, detective, social worker, and friend.

The book focuses on the disappearances of three men (primarily) from the Pacific Crest Trail, which runs along the West Coast, from California up to and through Washington State. Kris Fowler, David O’Sullivan, and Chris Sylvia vanished from the trail in mysterious circumstances and have yet to be found, alive or otherwise.

But, of course, the book is about more than them and their individual cases; Trail of the Lost is also about their families and loved ones, the grief and pain of their loss, the process and protocols of police and other investigations into vanishings, and — perhaps this is where the book truly shines and connects with readers on a wholly different level — the culture of the trail and of extreme hiking. By giving readers a view into the the lure of these activities and the perils they entail, Trail illuminates certain flaws in our societal ideals and in the normative flows of life around work-family-friendship-community. Lankford highlights what might be missing in our urban/suburban spaces that trails like this offer. Chapters that seemingly veer off onto tangential subjects, like the Yellow Deli Group, or suspicious and creepy “trail trolls” in fact, draw attention to deeply inclusive, welcoming, altruistic, and connected the culture of the PCT and hiking is (or can be).

The irony is, of course, that individuals take on these hikes individually; they seek isolation — and yet, the culture of the trail highlights the deep dependence we, as humans, have on each other, and our need for social contact, a sense of belonging with others, a sense of community.

I read John Billman’s The Cold Vanish earlier, and Lankford’s book was an excellent companion to that book. Both books focus on the families of those lost in the wilderness, as well as on the investigations into the missing persons. Both books show strong compassion for the families and to those struggling for years to find out what happened. Lankford is a former park ranger who got fed up with the bureaucracy and quit to become a nurse. After 12+ years she got pulled back into the searches for three men who went missing at different times and places along the Pacific Crest Trail. Relentless is the perfect word to describe the effort put into the searches, which still continue. Thank you NetGalley for the advance copy.

NetGalley read. For honest review.

I am a day hiker, and a long walker myself (Spanish and Portugal Camino) but not a backpacker or thru hiker. I found this a fascinating book even with its flaws and would highly recommend it if you have an interest in wilderness/ search and rescue or are a long distance hiker or have an interest in the subject. There is a treasure trove of information here, but it will require a little searching and focus on your part. But like a long hike in the nature, it is certainly worth the effort.

There was much I loved about this book and a few instances where it drove me crazy. It is well written story by a woman who was a former park ranger and wilderness rescuer/first responder now turned R.N. She has the qualifications and experience needed to really lend a hand and tell a well-developed exploration of how hikers, even good ones and often less than qualified ones, overstep in nature and are lost. This is a story of how three male hikers have been lost for years on the Pacific Coast Trail (the thru hike--2,650 miles from Mexico to Canada brought to life in the book Wild by Cheryl Strayed--later made into the film by the same name). and have not been found.

It is easier to say what this story is not about than exactly what it is. It is not a true crime story as it is pitched on the cover and reviews. Not unless we count getting lost as the crime, since death on a hike could possibly be foul play but is more likely to be accidental mishap and injury caused by a wrong choice or a wrong step. I would certainly consider it a Cold Case type mystery. One where others have failed and there is a hope that you might just uncover the key that solves it and brings closures to these families.

It does cover a lot of facets about hiking--what to bring to stay safe, a little on the needed preparation, how accidents can happen even for experienced hikers and how difficult finding hikers in the wilderness is.
There is lots about the Pacific Coast Trail--how difficult it is, how many more hikers attempt it since its popularity took off after Stayed's book, the different terrains encountered, fewer re-supply stops, why hikers get discouraged and how few make it the full length, even when it is the plan.
Grief and closure are discussed throughout as several people who want to help find these men realize how difficult it can be to give up even when their own money, hope and ideas are exhausted, because they have become close with the families.
How scattered and uncoordinated search efforts are, no clear responsibility or chain of command of law enforcement efforts, the final responsibility often falling on local police forces who do not have the time, resources or personnel to tackle this kind of search.

The meat of the story is about three male hikers of varied experience who have been lost on the trail and never been found. One in 2016, one in 2017 and one in 2018. Two lost in the Mohave desert in California in the early going hiking days and one in the wilds of Washington almost at the finish. Each hiker’s backstory is recounted at length, what is known on why he decided to hike this trail and how far he got, when his disappearance was noted and the immediate rescue efforts. There is much detail on new items of clothing found and investigation of trails that might have been taken in error.

A variety of people, mostly amateurs aside from Lankford get involved with these cases and they enlist a variety of efforts to make headway where little has been made before. They do have the information on what has been done previously. But there is surprisingly little aside from the areas search and the last know whereabouts of these hikers. A group evolves to lend time and what expertise they have to help. This includes psychics, professional internet map searchers, previous law enforcement people, improbable inventors, and drone experts. All avenues are explored, including improbable trails taken, possible mountain lion and rattle snake encounters, criminal encounters, suicide and purposefully going off and not wanting to be found.

It was fascinating but at times difficult to follow especially on audio. Two of the lost have the name Chris, and though they are lost on different parts of the trail, descriptions of wilderness are often similar so there were times I was not exactly sure where I was and exactly which of the hikers was being talked about. Timelines were often non-liner, as different searchers came into the story and different aspects of the search for each hiker was discussed there, dates and time jump back and forward in the story telling. Not sure how this could have been avoided but it did not make it any easier to follow.

It is a non-fiction story telling but I hesitate to call it a narrative, it is more informational and mostly well done. There is much information here on a fascinating subject. The audio was read Kristi Burns and she did a very good narration. I used both the audio and the print advanced reader copy in my reading. I did not find one better than the other. It did demand focus from me so I was glad to have both on hand, there are great maps of the trail in the book and they are helpful to clarify events and time lines.

Thanks to NetGalley for the print Advanced Reader Copy

Although I enjoy books about the American wilderness and man's interactions with it, this book did not engage me. I found the telling of the stories of three hikers who vanished from the Pacific Crest Trail to be flat and not able to keep my interest. My heart goes out to their loved ones and the lost individuals definitely deserve to have the lives fully told. Sadly, the author did not accomplish this for me

Trail of the Lost: The Relentless Search to Bring Home the Missing Hikers of the Pacific Crest Trail by Andrea Lankford is a nature-based true crime memoir. I did a blended read for this one; I listened to the audiobook, which is narrated by Kristi Burns, while following along in a physical copy.

A former law enforcement park ranger and investigator helps a team of women attempt to find missing hikers along the Pacific Crest Trail in this true crime adventure.

There are a ton of interwoven stories here, though the main overarching plot follows three particular investigations. The author previously worked as a park ranger, but left the force after getting tired of bureaucracy and pivoted to nursing.

She still used all of her skills from her previous career to help others. There's a great use of science and date here; she is mostly focused on the facts. There are a few other outlets she describes, like the use of mediums, though she explains her skepticism.

It really takes a village to help find missing hikers. Thanks to this book, I learned about various Facebook groups that exist to help with the search. It is heartwarming that social media can actually prove helpful in trying times. There's also interesting use of drone photography that sounds like a really cool technique. Unfortunately, many of the areas on the Pacific Crest Trail are national parks, where the use of drones is illegal. There's bureaucracy again for you.

The book also delves into hiker culture, which is very interesting. I knew a bit about that because I've completed a few states worth of the Appalachian Trail on the East coast, though that is very different from the Pacific Crest Trail.

I would highly recommend reading this physically, or at the very least holding a physical copy while you're listening to the audiobook. There are many maps, photographs, and screenshots of Facebook posts in this book. Friends of mine who read the e-book version have noted that those images were very difficult to parse on their e-reader.

Also, heads up that there is no resolution for any of the three main mysteries investigated in this book. This makes sense to me, as it's basically trying to find a needle in a haystack, but also a bit disappointing.

As an avid hiker, this book premise sounded so interesting. Surprisingly, I find people getting lost in the wildernerss and their survival (or not) is fascinating. What misktakes or simple choices lead to their misfortune? I also enjoy reading about thru hikers, the hiking culture and about the lifestyle of these individuals. The book covers the disappearance of three men (different situations) who were hiking the Pacific Crest Trail. As the author looks into the disappearance and tries to find answers to what happened to these men, you also get bits of science, history of the trail, and the lives and culture of the communities and people found along the trail-even if it did feel a bit choppy at times.

Thank you to NetGalley and Hachette Books for the advance reader copy.

Every year, there are hundreds of hikers that take off onto Pacific Crest Trail. Most of them make it back without any incidents, and with some great stories. Others find trouble along the trail, and have some horror stories to share. Yet others step off, never to be heard from again - and that is where this book begins.

There are three main cases that are followed, and the many different leads that came in, locations, and more - but none have led to a successful conclusion. The names of the missing grow each year.

This was a fantastic read - I would love to type more, but I don't want to ruin the book for readers. But it was amazing, and definitely worth a read!

I've come across the PCT a few times during our hikes, whether it crossed the trail we were on or when our trail merged onto the PCT...so that made me very curious to read this! Also, Wild was a book that made me think, if she can do it, I can do it! Trail of the Lost definitely opened my eyes to a lot more of the "bad" that comes with hiking the PCT.

I also appreciate that Andrea Lankford writes this book with empathy and with respect for the victims and their families. She really does go above and beyond for many victims and their families.

I really enjoyed it, because it mixed things I love reading about when it comes to nonfiction. I highly recommend it if you're interested in nature, adventure, and true crime🥾🔎

Lankford spent her career as a national park ranger leading search and rescue missions across the country. With this background she dives into the mystery of three missing hikers on the PCT (Pacific Crest Trail), who disappeared one year apart from each other. Using the search for these men as the narrative foundation, she weaves in the tale of the creation of the PCT, its popularity after "Wild" was published, and both old and new stories of hikers getting lost on the trail.

It's a fascinating read. Lankford and Cathy Tarr (another volunteer) put their heads together, rolled up their sleeves, donned their hiking boots, and physically searched for the missing three over several years.

Lots of stories about what can go wrong on the 2600+ mile trail, including bad weather, unprepared hikers, wildfire, wild animals, and trail trolls [the chapter on Tony DeCampo, "king" of the trail trolls, is a jaw-dropping true crime story on its own].

Lots of stories about the "helpers" who come out of the woodwork to assist with searches, from internet sleuths to psychics to outright charlatans.

The writing evoked the beauty and the treachery of the trail, the relentlessness of mother nature. The only word to describe Lankford and Tarr is "heroic". There are still good people in the world.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Hatchette Books for the ARC. Trail of the Lost was published in August 2023.

This is a heart-wrenching story about those who go hiking on the PCT and never found. The author, Andrea Lankford, knows her stuff. The story centers on three hikers who were lost. It follows their families and tramalies as they look for answers and try to light a fire under various law enforcement agencies. As an avid hiker, the book is a cautionary tale to always carry (and activate!) a GPS device, let someone know where you'll be hiking, and let your loved ones know your wishes if something nefarious happens to you on the trail (for example, would you want your family to search forever?). As with any nonfiction book I read, I'm constantly going back and forth from the book to a search engine looking up information on the subjects. I knew that the three hikers were still lost, but kept hoping. Trail of the Lost is a great book about an awful subject.

Wow, this was really good and haunting. I found myself completely invested in Andrea's journey and really admired how she and others worked tirelessly to try to find these lost men when no one else would. Highly recommend! Thank you to the publisher for the ARC.

Highly recommend this book. I know nothing about hiking or the Pacific Coast Trail. But while telling the stories of the three missing hikers - Chris Sylvia, Kris Fowler, and David O'Sullivan - Lankford also manages to give readers the history of the Pacific Coast Trail and insight into the hiking (especially thru-hiking) world. Lankford also does a wonderful job of telling the stories of these missing men and of their families' search of them. It is heartbreaking - but also hopeful. As part of the searches, you learn the story of Lankford and other volunteers who have given so much to help bring these men - and others missing from the trail - home.

This book was exactly what I wanted it to be - a detailed account of those gone missing along the PCT and the circumstances surrounding those disappearances. Gripping true crime can sometimes be difficult to deliver, but not for Lankford. A former park ranger-turned-investigator, she does an amazing job of telling the story while refraining from bogging down the reader with details that might seem relevant, but aren't. Equal parts stories of the missing woven in with Lankford's own quest to find these hikers, it's just a really, really well done book. It's somehow chilling yet wholesome, and harrowing yet heartfelt at the same time. I was incredibly impressed with the thoughtfulness with which Lankford wrote, and I truly hope she chooses to dive deeper into true crime and/or nonfiction.

A sincere thank you to Hachette Books, the author, and NetGalley for an advanced reader's copy in exchange for my honest review.

The Pacific Crest Trail is one of the world’s great long-distance hikes, running 2,650 miles from Mexico to the Canadian border. It’s a chance to see some of North America’s most majestic scenery, encompassing desert and mountain, and millions of people visit parts of it each year, to hike or run. But only a very few ever walk the whole thing. Completing the entire trail — a “thru-hike” — takes five months. The challenge breeds a kind of camaraderie among hikers, who acquire “trail names” (the 2022 finishers included individuals known as “Sparkle Lizard,” “Milkshake” and “Squiggles”) and become part of a select group. Like its Eastern counterpart, the Appalachian Trail, it is a badge of honor for those who make it through.

The romance of the trail unfortunately leads some to overlook its dangers. Hikers die on the PCT, from hypothermia, drowning and falls. Many more have to abandon their hikes due to injury. Some vanish altogether. Andrea Lankford’s Trail of the Lost is about what happens next.

Lankford is a former National Park Service ranger and established author; her earlier book, Ranger Confidential, detailed the darker side of America’s national parks, from criminals operating within them to the dangers that befall unsuspecting visitors. Asked to look into the case of one missing hiker on the PCT, she discovered he was one of three recent disappearances: one each in 2015, 2016 and 2017.

The missing men — Chris Sylvia, Kris Fowler and David O’Sullivan — left the small hints that hikers do: a trail name in a visitor log, a credit-card receipt, a cashier’s recollection of a purchase. Sylvia also left his gear, neatly laid out on a hill, like an ambulatory Marie Celeste. It looked as though he had just stepped away for a moment; the witness who found his belongings assumed he had. The others did not leave anything. How much further they may have hiked from where they were last seen is part of the mystery......

While most people think of the Pacific Crest Trail as a hike to gain enlightenment, a la Cheryl Strayed, this book delves into the darker aspects of hiking alone over the 2500+ miles. Andrea Lankford uses her background as a ranger involved in search and rescue to give us a compassionate glimpse into the search for three men who disappeared during their individual treks, as well as some history about the development of the PCT. The book is intriguing and the reader continues to hope for a positive outcome for each of the missing men, even when all avenues have been exhausted.

Thank you, NetGalley, for the ARC.

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC!
I read an earlier book by this author - Ranger Confidential. It was excellent so I knew I had to read her newest one. This was a compassionate but realistic, with knowledge and intelligence, regarding 3 searches for lost hikers on the Pacific Crest Trail. She was tireless in her search, along with the many volunteers and a couple of crackpots that spent their time, money and effort to give these families some closure as to the whereabouts of their loved ones. If you love our outdoors and admire those of us adventurous enough to tackle the PCT or the AT, this is a must read!
I absolutely look forward to Andrea’s next book. A 5 star page turner!

Non-fiction is not usually a genre that I gravitate towards, but after reading Cheryl Strayed’s Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail several years ago, I was excited to dive into the PCT once again. Author Andrea Lankford, former park ranger turned nurse, is drawn back to her search and rescue roots to investigate the cold cases of three missing Pacific Crest Trail hikers who disappeared between the years 2015-2017. Teaming up with amateur and professional sleuths, Andrea exhausts leads from fellow hikers and social media posts, while hiking many dangerous parts of the PCT in search of answers as to what became of these three missing hikers. Leaving no stone unturned, including researching murderers, violent offenders, a cult, a John Doe in Brazil, psychics and a few questionable scientific methods, Lankford and her team work relentlessly to help the families of the missing find peace and closure. Hiking the Pacific Crest Trail is not for the faint of heart, and Lankford takes us along on the harrowing journey along the trail in her search for answers.

"On the Trail of the Lost, you may not find what you’re searching for, but you will find more than you seek."

The legendary Pacific Crest Trail stretches across the western US for 2,650 miles, from California's southern tip to Washington's northern edge. This trail, revered by hiking enthusiasts, intentionally avoids civilization, permitting only minor stops in remote areas. Thru-hiking its entirety is daunting, often requiring a lifetime of preparation. With a mere 14% completion rate, the trail poses an elusive and hazardous challenge. Cheryl Strayed's 2012 memoir Wild catapulted the trail's popularity, yet the trail's true essence harbors a darker reality than that uplifting narrative suggests. In her latest book, Trail of the Lost, Andrea Lankford delves into the enigmatic nature of this renowned path.

Andrea Lankford's expertise in navigating treacherous terrains began during her tenure as a National Parks Ranger. That job saw her leading search and rescue operations in some of America's most stunning yet hazardous locations. After twelve years, frustrations with bureaucratic complexities prompted her departure from the force. Transitioning careers, she dedicated the ensuing two decades to healthcare, working as a nurse. Believing her days of daring rescue missions were over, Lankford's trajectory shifted unexpectedly upon learning of the disappearances of three men along the Pacific Crest Trail. Fueled to provide closure to grieving families, Lankford joined forces with a group of determined freelance investigators, embarking on a seemingly insurmountable search.

"An unsolved case is a loose end that begs us to snip it."

Trail of the Lost sees Andrea Lankford chronicle her unwavering determination to uncover the fate of three men who ventured onto the Pacific Crest Trail. Intrigued by the mystery of their disappearance, I became as resolute as Lankford in seeking answers. Along the journey, we encounter a diverse group of amateur investigators, each more unlikely than the last. United by their shared purpose of bringing hope to grieving families, these characters drive Lankford's narrative. She candidly confronts the challenges of the Pacific Crest Trail, revealing both anticipated dangers and unexpected twists. While answers prove scarce, this mirrors the real frustrations those involved in such investigations face. The immense investment of resources, time, and emotional energy often yields little, yet the glimmer of a single revelation propels their relentless pursuit. Ultimately, this very essence motivated me to keep flipping through the pages of this enlightening book.

I requested this one because it might be an upcoming title I would like to review on my Youtube Channel. However, after reading the first several chapters I have determined that this book does not suit my tastes. So I decided to DNF this one.

This book is very well written. It brought a light to how many people go missing hiking this trail. It gives a bit of a back story on the missing people. The book is empathetic towards the people that lay victim to the Pacific Crest trail. Great read! Strongly recommended to others. Especially to those who are into The Great outdoors. This shines a light into the dangers of hiking.