On March 6, 2021, Emily Ford became the second person to ever complete the 1,200 miles of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail during the winter and the first person of color and first woman to boot! She hiked the trail along with Diggins, an Alaskan Husky she initially "borrowed" for the hike, but has since adopted. 

Locals and backpacking enthusiasts alike followed Emily's journey through local news pieces and social media, including Emily's Instagram @emilyontrail. These outlets allowed folks a glimpse into the bitter cold and deep snow that Emily faced in the Wisconsin-winter hiking conditions.

Established in 1980, the Ice Age National Scenic Trail is an approximately 1,200 mile trek along the furthest extent of the glaciers during the most recent Ice Age, some 15,000 years ago. The trail winds through Wisconsin and allows hikers to glimpse the glorious hills, valleys, lake, kettles, moraines, and other geological features left behind by the huge sheets and rivers of ice. If you plan a trip in this area, the author recommends checking out Gibraltar Rock State Natural Area and Devil's Lake State Park which are along the Ice Age Trail. 

In the fall of 2021, Emily and Diggins hit the big screen as Breaking Trail, a 30-minute documentary directed by Jesse Roesler,  premiered at the BANFF Centre Mountain Film and Book Festival in Banff, Alberta, Canada. The documentary includes themes of people of color participating in outdoor recreation, Ford's popularity on social media, and, of course, the relationship between a woman and her dog.