Since embarking on her first solo journey in 2014, at age 22, Gillian Larson has completed four Mexico-to-Canada thru-rides: three times on the Pacific Crest Trail (2014, 2016, and 2022) and once on the Continental Divide Trail (2018). She also rode the Arizona Trail and the Colorado Trail in 2017, the John Muir Trail in 2019, and various other backcountry routes for a total of more than 15,000 miles.
Gillian cultivates an ethos of equestrian travel that is modern and progressive, blending a love of the outdoors with respect and care for her equine partners. She focuses on educating others about the challenges of backcountry riding while helping to modernize traditional packing techniques. Through her company, Gillian Larson Wilderness Horsemanship, she offers in-person workshops, an online course, guided rides, individual coaching, and consulting. She currently lives on a ranch in California’s central coast along with five horses and a mule.
You can find Gillian on Instagram @thru_rider, or visit www.GillianLarson.net for more information.
Ever wonder what it’s like to ride your horse on the Pacific Crest Trail? Gillian Larson can tell you; she’s completed three solo “thru-rides” of the entire route—in 2014, 2016, and most recently in 2022. Share in her experiences as she explains what it takes to plan and execute a long-distance horseback journey on this iconic route.
Beginning at the Mexican border, the Pacific Crest Trail runs through California, Oregon, and Washington for 2650 miles to British Columbia, Canada. Along the way, it traverses desert, alpine, and volcanic terrain, with elevations dropping near sea level in the Columbia River gorge and rising over 13,000 ft. on Forester Pass in the Sierra Nevada. Each region poses its own unique challenges for equestrians, from lack of water in the southern deserts to high-altitude granite passes and lingering snowpacks or the early approach of winter weather in the rugged northern Cascades. But there is also the rich reward of peaceful solitude, scenic vistas, and encounters with wildlife. Through stunning photos and video clips, along with stories from her expeditions, Gillian invites you to come along on this ride of a lifetime.
If you spend any time in the back country on a horse, especially for overnight rides, you’ve probably heard about the importance of LNT practices. The 7 core principles apply to everyone who visits our public lands, but equestrians bear an even greater responsibility given the historic role of horses in the exploration and development of the western states and the backlash against stock that began in the 1960s, arising from perceived abuses. Gillian Larson reviews this context and explains how LNT precepts, championed by organizations such as the Back Country Horsemen, have helped preserve our natural areas and encourage responsible, sustainable access for all—and how your actions make a difference.
Gillian Larson freely admits that her first solo horseback adventures in the back country almost broke her. She felt unprepared, clueless, and sometimes overwhelmed by the problems she encountered. But she soon realized that the key to success was not to let failure get in the way—or allow the threat of it to stop her from even trying. Part motivational talk (about how facing fears and overcoming obstacles builds confidence) and part myth-busting (to fact-check assumptions about wilderness travel, especially regarding encounters with wildlife) with a lot of personal storytelling along the way, Gillian shares how trail riding taught her some crucial life lessons. Her aim is to break down the mental barriers to backcountry equestrian travel that often prevent riders from venturing into the wilderness and to provide practical tips for dealing with common issues that arise during a horseback camping trip.
In March of 2026, Gillian Larson competed in the first-ever “Pass of Tears,” a grueling 400 km horseback race in Argentina. Part backcountry pack trip and part endurance ride, jockeys navigate their own route between designated veterinary checkpoints and re-supply stations, carrying all their gear and camping along the way in a test of horsemanship and husbandry skills. Local estancias provide native Criollo horses for the race—two per rider—with the owner of the winning horses being awarded the prize. Gillian describes her experience in this challenging event—the gear, with restrictions imposed by a weight limit; the horses and other riders; the breathtaking Patagonian landscape; and the impact of taking part in this incredible adventure!