Third grade is coming to an end, and Skylar sets her sights on summer vacation. She's hoping to visit her grandparents in Colorado, but her parents have a different plan. When Skylar learns that she will be hiking on the Appalachian Trail with her dad for summer vacay, she is not thrilled in the least. Skylar spends June training and trying to get excited about the hike. She does get to go shopping for hiking gear and run in a 5K race. But when she discovers what her friends are doing for their vacations, and that she will be missing the 4th of July celebrations, she becomes even sadder. As Skylar and her dad begin their five-day hike, Skylar finds little to cheer her up. The mountains are steep, she is getting dirty and sweaty, and the bugs are pesky. But Skylar soon discovers how quickly things change around each bend. As she meets new friends and envisions pioneers of the past, she begins to enjoy the new world surrounding her. Will she discover the lessons that Nature has to teach? What trail magic will surprise her and bring her joy? Will the hike be the adventure of a lifetime, or will this summer vacation end up being her worst yet?