Meet Luke Pearsall | Founder of Trail Goods Company

We had the good fortune of connecting with Luke Pearsall and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Luke, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
Starting Trail Goods Co. was never about just launching a product, it was about solving a problem I knew personally and deeply.

After spending thousands of miles on trail, hiking the Colorado Trail, guiding wilderness trips in South America, and even walking across Spain on the Camino de Santiago—I realized how frustrating it was to settle for meals that were either nutritionally lacking or just didn’t taste good. I kept thinking: Why does the food we rely on in the outdoors feel like an afterthought?

The thought process behind starting Trail Goods Co. was really about combining my love for the outdoors with my passion for food and quality. I wanted to create something that reflected the pride we take in our gear, in our preparation, and in our adventures, something that felt earned and rewarding at the end of the day.

From the start, I knew I wanted to build a company that did things differently. We fully cook every meal before it’s freeze-dried, use fresh ingredients, and handle everything in small batches. No shortcuts. I believed there were other people out there hunters, backpackers, climbers, and road-trippers, who felt the same way I did: that one good meal can make a long day feel worth it.

That belief is what pushed me to take the leap and start Trail Goods Co. And honestly, it’s what keeps me showing up every day, building this thing one step at a time.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My career has been a winding road full of adventure, challenges, and a lot of personal growth. I’ve worn a lot of hats—photographer, filmmaker, outdoor guide, storyteller—and each one has shaped the way I approach what I do now with Trail Goods Co.

What sets me apart isn’t just the professional experience, but the lived experience. I’ve spent tens of thousands of miles on trail—guiding 8-week wilderness tours in South America, walking 550 miles across Spain, hiking the Colorado Trail. I know what it feels like to be exhausted, hungry, and craving something that tastes like home. That perspective is what fuels everything behind Trail Goods Co., real food, made with care, because adventurers deserve more than just calories.

Getting here wasn’t easy. Starting a business from the ground up, especially in the food space, has been one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. There were plenty of moments where I questioned if I was crazy for even trying. But I kept showing up. Every day. Even when it was slow. Even when it felt like no one was paying attention. I leaned on my community, kept learning, and kept reminding myself why I started: to make meals that people actually look forward to on the trail.

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that authenticity and patience matter. When you lead with passion, people feel it. And when you stick with something long enough, momentum eventually finds you.

What I want people to know about Trail Goods Co. is that we’re not just another freeze-dried food brand. We’re a Colorado-born company doing things differently, making fully cooked, small-batch meals from real ingredients. No fillers. No shortcuts. Just good food, made by people who’ve walked the miles and understand the journey.

And what I want people to know about me is simple: I care deeply. About the work. About the community. And about building something that reflects the pride and heart that goes into every adventure.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
my best friend was visiting Denver for a week, I’d make it a mix of everything that makes living here so special—great food, live music, mountain views, and a lot of local character.

Day 1 – Welcome to Denver: Chill + Local Eats
We’d kick it off easy. Morning coffee and people-watching at Crema in RiNo, then wander some of the murals and galleries like Plinth Gallery or RedLine Contemporary Art Center. Lunch would be tacos from Tacos Tequila Whiskey, then head to The Beer Spa for a unique Denver experience—beer while soaking in a cedar tub? Yes please. Dinner at The Wolf’s Tailor to impress them right away.

Day 2 – Golden Day Trip
We’d spend the day in Golden—just 25 minutes from the city but feels like a mini mountain town escape. Morning hike at North Table Mountain, then walk the historic main street. Lunch at D’Deli for one of the best sandwiches around. If it’s hot, we’d float or dip our feet in Clear Creek. Happy hour at Mountain Toad Brewery, dinner at The Buffalo Rose, and back to Denver for a rooftop nightcap at The Red Barber.

Day 3 – City Culture + Sunset Vibes
We’d dive into Denver’s arts scene with a morning at the Denver Art Museum and a stroll through the Civic Center Park area. Lunch at Leven Deli, then some downtime before heading to Red Rocks for a concert. (Pro tip: Even if there’s no show, visiting Red Rocks for a sunset hike is a must.) Grab post-show food at Late Night Thai or Fat Sully’s Pizza back in the city.

Day 4 – Boulder + Flatirons
We’d make a day of Boulder. Start with breakfast at Snooze or Lucile’s, then a hike up Chautauqua for views of the Flatirons. Afternoon beers at Avery Brewing or Upslope, and back to Denver for dinner at Hop Alley (get the duck rolls and the spicy noodles). If there’s time, swing by Nocturne for live jazz.

Day 5 – Local Adventure + Food Tour
We’d rent bikes and cruise the Cherry Creek Trail, stopping at REI’s flagship store, then hit Little Man Ice Cream or Sweet Action. That night, we’d do a mini food crawl: small bites and drinks at Bar Dough, then Cart-Driver for wood-fired pizza, and finish with cocktails at Williams & Graham—a speakeasy that always wows out-of-towners.

Day 6 – Day in the Foothills
We’d escape the city again with a drive to Evergreen or Morrison. Hike Elk Meadow or Three Sisters Park, grab coffee at Java Groove, and relax by Evergreen Lake. Head back into town for dinner at Annette in Stanley Marketplace—it’s a gem. End the night with a whiskey tasting at Stranahan’s or a beer at Cerebral Brewing.

Day 7 – Slow Roll + Goodbyes
We’d keep the last day chill. Brunch at Lucile’s, browse Tennyson Street shops, and maybe hit up Sloan’s Lake for a walk and one last view of the Front Range. If there’s time, a final toast at The Ramble Hotel’s rooftop before heading to the airport.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I love this question, because the truth is, no one does this alone—and I’m no exception.

There are so many people who deserve credit in my story, but if I had to dedicate this shoutout to anyone, it would be to my family, especially my parents, who taught me the value of hard work, integrity, and resilience from an early age. They always believed in me, even when I wasn’t sure I believed in myself.

I’d also have to give a huge shoutout to the friends and mentors who supported this wild idea when it was just a sketch on paper and a pile of freeze-dried prototypes in my kitchen. Starting a business is daunting, and having people around me who weren’t afraid to give honest feedback—but still pushed me forward—made all the difference.

And finally, a nod to the trail community—the hikers, hunters, climbers, and outdoor junkies who inspired this entire journey. Trail Goods Co. was born because I saw something missing, something we all deserved: a real meal at the end of a hard day. Their passion and stories remind me every day why this work matters.

So yeah, while I’ve put in the work, none of this would exist without the love, support, and encouragement I’ve been lucky enough to receive from others. This journey is as much theirs as it is mine.

Website: https://www.trailgoods.co

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trailgoodscompany

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/trailgoodscompany

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@trailgoodsco

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