Billy Goat

George Woodard hikes the Pacific Crest Trail in the Southern Sierra. In his hiking career, he has logged more than 30,000 miles.  (Brian Vander Brug / Los Angeles Times)

George Woodard strides over a highway bridge crossing the south fork of the Kern River in Kennedy Meadows. The veteran hiker has done the Americas triple crown -- the Pacific Crest, the Appalachian Trail and the Continental Trail -- multiple times.  (Brian Vander Brug / Los Angeles Times)

Veteran hiker George Woodard relaxes during a break in his day along the Pacific Coast Trail. The 69-year-old regularly hikes more than 20 miles a day and spends much of the year outdoors.  (Brian Vander Brug / Los Angeles Times)

Woodard closes a gate to keep cattle on their rangeland along the Pacific Crest Trail in the southern Sierra Nevada.  (Brian Vander Brug / Los Angeles Times)

Woodard is followed by his short, midday shadow as he hikes the Pacific Crest Trail.  (Brian Vander Brug / Los Angeles Times)

Woodard has this stretch of the Pacific Crest Trail to himself.  (Brian Vander Brug / Los Angeles Times)

Having worked up an appetite hiking the Pacific Crest Trail, George Woodard takes a well-deserved break for dinner, which he cooked on a small gas stove. The veteran hiker, known as Billy Goat on the trails, eats and sleeps outside 10 months out of the year.  (Brian Vander Brug / Los Angeles Times)

Pacific Crest Trail through-hiker Claire Porter visits with Woodard, whom she met on the trail in the southern Sierra Nevada in May.  (Brian Vander Brug / Los Angeles Times)