BRADY TWP — Luke “Strider” Jordan is 3,000 miles into the hike of a lifetime.

Jordan, 23, of Maple Plain, Minn., said he is seeking to become only the fourth person to hike the entire 4,600-mile North Country Trail.

After graduating from St. Cloud State University in St. Cloud, Minn., in December, he decided he wanted to do something interesting and maybe outlandish before getting a job.

“I knew I wanted to do something,” said Jordan, who has been a hiker since age 13 or 14.

He said one of his major goals is to raise awareness of the trail, which passes through seven states from North Dakota to New York.

In the Butler County area, the trail goes through McConnells Mill State Park just over the Butler-Lawrence county line. After crossing Interstate 79 and Route 422, the trail goes through the North Shore of Moraine State Park and Jennings Environmental Education Center.

After crossing Pennsylvania State Game Lands 95 in northeastern Butler County, the trail crosses the Allegheny River. He started hiking March 27 in Pick City, N.D. He expects to be finished about Oct. 10.

“It’s been enjoyable,” Jordan said. On Thursday, he passed through McConnells Mill and Moraine parks, and stayed overnight in Davis Hollow Cabin, which is owned by Moraine and leased by the trail association.

Jordan carries about 35 pounds of gear, which includes seven days worth of food, four liters of water, a tent, an extra pair of shoes and a change of clothes.

He picks up mailed packages of food at post offices. On Wednesday, he picked up an additional pair of shoes from a post office in Wampum.

Although he has been doing well, he said there were three times when he almost felt like giving up.

The first was in Minnesota where there was three feet of snow and his snow shoes froze. The second time was in Michigan, where the trail was blazed, but not cleared.

“Its like the trail never existed,” Jordan said.

The third time also was in Michigan, when a large number of mosquitoes attacked him. However, he kept pushing on.

He has kept in contact with his family by calling once a week and checking in daily with a spot device. He also has been in contact with local chapters of the trail association.

For most of the trip, he has slept in a tent, but he takes advantage of shelters and houses when available. On the occasional days he chooses not to hike, he stays in a motel.

When he completes his trek, he will ride an Amtrak train home, which he said will be cheaper than flying. He has never ridden on a train.

“That will be an adventure all itself,” Jordan said.

He has entertained the idea of walking the entire trail again in 10 years, but doubts he will be able to do that. Jordan said he would try to write a guide book of the trail that time.

“Maybe. We’ll see,” he said.