We were not following the official Continental Divide Trail its for hikers only since we were in Jeeps. The average time to thru-hike the CDT is about six months and most people hike south to north. The Continental Divide stretches from Alaska down through Mexico . Because if youre lucky, you may drive the entire length in sunny warm weather, but thats very unlikely. Trail users enjoy equally . His Instagram photos reflect his appreciation for beauty along the trail. The lowest elevation of the trail on the Idaho/Montana border is 5,764 feet (1,757m) along the North Fork of Sheep Creek in Idaho and the highest elevation is 10,091 feet (3,076m) at the summit of Elk Mountain. May 17, 2016. There was one point I was going to start early in Northern Montana (before sunrise), started hiking, then just pitched camp again because of all the. In his 20s, he hiked several trails, including the 2,650-mile Pacific Crest Trail along the West Coast. "He had a bonfire going in the middle of that storm.". Indian Peaks Wilderness - Wikipedia For those who decide to hike the Continental Divide Trail from North to South, then the best time to start is late April, generally finishing in September. I was exhausted and frankly traumatized. Trail Ridge Road crests at 3.721m (12,209ft) and climbs up Milner Pass, Trail Ridge , Fall River Pass and Iceberg Pass . Hikers must decide on a route through the Great Divide Basin as the actual Continental Divide forks, forming an endorheic basin. Continental Divide Trail : New Mexico Nomad We want to hear from you about your journey. " the road was still plain, I therefore did not dispair of shortly finding a passage . But Continental Divide Trail thru-hikers are revitalizing the town in surprising ways. Minneapolis man died of unknown causes on Continental Divide Trail One night in the Collegiates (Colorado), I had already gotten rained on all day and picked a suboptimal campsite just to get it over with. The Continental Divide in Southwest Montana. Many will leave the trail due to injury, some due to weather, others for financial reasons, and, unfortunately, a very small percentage will die. Anaconda cutoff. Yokohama, thinking that 2,700 miles of all types of trails, roads, and highways would prove to be an excellent test, provided us with tires and fuel for all four vehicles; a set each of G003 for the 2013 Jeep Wrangler and 1999 Jeep Cherokee and a set each of the X-MT design for the 1974 Toyota and 2005 Jeep Wrangler. Bridger Peak. Much of the CDT follows high, grassy ridges with some walking on dirt roads required. Open full screen to view more. Much of the CDT route in New Mexico traverses desert and dry mountains and a challenge to hikers is finding drinking water. Alex Cahoy was 32 and a healthy and experienced hiker. For instance, turn north on the Continental Divide Trail near Albuquerque, New Mexico, drive the trail to I-70 near Vale, Colorado, and then head for home until youre ready to revisit the trail. The youngest person to thru-hike the trail is Reed Gjonnes, who hiked the trail with her father Eric Gjonnes from April 15, 2013 to September 6, 2013 in one continuous northbound hike at age 13.[18][19]. As it turned out, we accrued almost 8,000 miles total on the expedition because of all the highway travel to and from the trailheads. Leave a comment below and warn future CDT classes of the awfulness that awaits them on their thru-hikes. Sitting on top of the continental divide in Glacier NP last summer Completing the Triple Crown is not an easy feat. Stephen Olshansky was found in a campground building in the Carson National Forest in New . [22] Timberline along this section of the trail is 8,500 feet (2,600m) to 9,000 feet (2,700m) in elevation. This was an area near Baru volcano and the continental divide. While the blue tracks werent all that difficult, the green tracks were definitely easiersometimes all pavement. Its not unrealistic to say that a Continental Divide Trail thru-hike could be someones final adventure you could end up caught in an avalanche (the San Juans can be dangerous early in the year), with heatstroke in the desert (the Bootheel is no joke), surrounded by a forest fire (a truly underrated hazard), or in a hitch with a drunk driver (if you have a bad feeling about a hitch, dont get in; wait for the next one). In other words, rain falling on the western-facing slopes eventually finds its way to the Pacific Ocean; while the eastern watershed drains into the Atlantic Ocean. Outside of Winter Park, it caught up to me and I, Five days of Bob Marshall Wilderness (Montana) with. Remember that between altitudes of 10,500 feet (3,200 km) and 13,000 feet (3,962 km) the air is thin, and some hikers may experience difficulty. The Montana/Idaho Border where you just walk a forest road, After three weeks of hiking and slowly coming to the realization that I was not having as much fun as I had expected. [6][7], Successfully thru-hiking the entire Continental Divide Trail takes an average of five months. Great Divide Mountain Bike Route (GDMBR) - BIKEPACKING.com At the time we were unaware that wed be meeting hikers, mountain bikers, and dual-sport motorcyclists along the route, along with some fantastic folks living in the small mountain towns through which wed be driving. With strong winds, I could not set up my tarp and had to retrieve my sleeping pad which blew away 0.25 mile / 400 m. The only way to keep warm was to, I spent most of Colorado trying to keep up with a group, including a friend I started the trail with, who was faster than me, and I burned myself out badly. Luckily I found a friend. The CDT achieves an elevation of 10,091 feet (3,076m), the most northerly place on the trail to reach an elevation of more than 10,000 feet (3,000m). [11] In 1978 three women hiked the entire trail: Nancy Andujar and the team of Jean Ella and Lynne Wisegart. About halfway through my last state, New Mexico, I just wanted to quit. He was 32, fit and seemingly healthy, an experienced hiker. Later that night, she got a call from the coroner. The pilot project will send out a professional for follow-ups after behavioral health crises. [8] In 2007, Francis Tapon became the first person to do a round backpacking trip "yo-yo" on the Continental Divide Trail when he through-hiked from Mexico to Canada and back to Mexico on the CDT. Myth #4: The Idaho-Montana border is full of PUDs. 1 / 8. Hiker Kiana Van Zanten met Alex on the trail and admired the way he approached hiking "really taking the time to enjoy nature and the trail, leaving no trace, taking the time to befriend other hikers even if you're not sure you'll see them again, willing to go on fun side adventures and not just be so focused on staying the line.". How Long Does The Continental Divide Trail Take To Hike? Lastly, I have also had some reports of deaths on the Pacific Crest Trail that I havent been able to find any source material for. The trail is incomplete in a few sections, especially in New Mexico, which requires walking on roads. The Triple Crown of Hiking 101 - Greenbelly Meals The route follows the Continental Divide and is 90% off-pavement using high-quality dirt roads, gravel roads, trails, and a few short sections of unmaintained tracks. The woman was pronounced dead at the scene (source), FALL | Wayne Paul Pferdehirt | August 26, 2019 | Wayne Paul Pferdehirt (67), died in a fall near Mather Pass (Sierra). The CDT begins here at the border with Mexico at an elevation of 4,297 feet (1,310m) and is accessed only by a dirt road. Daines Introduces Bipartisan Legislation to Complete the Continental In the end, I didnt have the heart to finish so alone I was out there for the community and when I couldnt have that, In Colorado attempting to do five passes in a day. Leave a Reply Cancel reply. Continental Divide Trail Horror Stories (Class of 2021) Another hazard to hikers is Colorado's 'monsoon season' with violent afternoon thunderstorms that are common in July and August on high mountain ridges [26][27], Notable points on the CDT in Colorado from south to north include:[28][25][1], The official route of the CDT in Wyoming is 513 miles (826km) long,[1] although several alternate routes shorten or lengthen that distance. One of our side trips was Leadville, Colorado. But Alex stood in the downpour, tending the fire, "having the best time in the rain." St. Paul residents ask: When will the recycling truck cometh? So if you ever see a headline something like, Hiker deaths on the PCT jump 200% in the National Scenic Trails deadliest year ever!, know that this means ten people died doing something inherently dangerous (aka its clickbait). We were following a trail suitable for motorized travel, and, because of the routes length, we were towing camping trailers. They may also encounter adverse weather conditions. Oh my that is so sad. Sign-up to get our latest reviews and news before everybody else does. Hiker's Body Recovered in Glacier National Park It was super windy and the heavy pack was a struggle. The Continental Divide Trail: America's most remote long trail - MSN . If you are worried about a loved one hiking the Continental Divide Trail or you have doubts about whether you want to undertake this journey yourself, you should probably stop reading now (or maybe you should definitely read this). "He apparently died peacefully in his sleep on top of a mountain at over 12,000 feet. T he Triple Crown trails (the Appalachian Trail, Pacific Crest Trail, and Continental Divide Trail) offer nearly 8,000 miles of some of the best hiking in the world. "Trail angels" (volunteers) at locations along the trail assist hikers with food, water, and transportation to and from resupply points to trail heads. The thunder and lightning had continued from the previous day when I had slept (didnt sleep at all) trapped on a ridgeline. At one point in the Winds I had lost my tent, my wallet, and my flashlight and my phone was dying and I had to bushwack over 10 mi / 16 km of wet blowdowns just to get to a spot where I had a chance of hitching into Pinedale to buy a new tent, flashlight, and phone, and I only had $50 in my pocket. It traverses a multitude of biospheres, from tundra to high desert, with a vast variety of flora and fauna, including several . The Route covers 5 states: New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming, Idaho and Montana and is a . In that same year, the Continental Divide Trail Alliance (CDTA) was created and with volunteers built or improved the route of the trail. No AT reading list would be complete without Grandma Gatewood's Walk: The Inspiring Story of the Woman Who Saved the Appalachian Trail by Ben Montgomery. His body was found just below the summit (source), FALL | Laurie Choate | September 5, 2018 | Laurie Choate, died in a fall hiking the Kendall Katwalk (Washington). [22] Timberline can be as low as 6,000 feet (1,800m) in Glacier National Park at the Canadian border[34] and as high as 9,000 feet (2,700m) in the southern part of Montana. The CDT drops 3,000 feet (910m) from the Continental Divide to the lowest point on the Idaho/Montana trail, 5,764 feet (1,757m). A freezing rain and thunderstorm storm in the Winds made the trail entirely sludge. [12][13][14] This seven-month journey spanned over 5,600 miles. I was, Giardia in Colorado Colorado was tough enough without having to, I got caught in a nighttime storm in the basin while cowboy camping. [Authors note: If you dont wish to shoot your own photos at the border, or have bragging rights about doing the entire route, or meet the nice folks at the Hachita Food Mart, a ride down State Routes 146 and 81 from Interstate 10 to the border is pretty much just a cruise on a two-lane highway over rolling hills through cattle country.]. Drainage divides, regardless of . An autopsy produced no answers. By 1995, only 15 people were recorded as having hiked the whole trail, still largely unfinished. The trail was created by Congress in 1978 and is considered by many to be the best long-distance trail hiking in the world. [16] Andrew Skurka completed the trail as part of the 6,875-mile Great Western Loop in 2007. People used to describe Leadvilles climate as ten months of winter with two months of late, late fall. The Pacific Crest Trail is typically divided into five distinct sections: the Desert, the Sierra Nevada, Northern California, Oregon, and Washington. Self Guided Adventure. Be alert to all car traffic, which is especially heavy on summer weekends. The 2017 hiking season was plagued by many dangerous river crossings because of the unusually high snowpack from the previous winter (source), DROWNING | Rika Morita | Mid July, 2017 | In Kings Canyon National Park (California), Rika Morita was discovered in the South Fork of the Kings River. This scenic trail runs from the USA/Mexico border into Canada and covers 2,767 miles of spectacular remote wilderness. [Authors note: About 2,700 miles of the trail is within the U.S. Id had enough of hiking alone through Colorado storms and just wanted to hitch back into town, but I didnt because the weather was supposed to improve the next day. This spectacular trail is the direct result of a tremendous amount of effort by Kevin Glassett (aka GPSKevin; www.gpskevinadventurerides.com). I was also behind most of the other hikers going south, I often felt like the last one. The Continental Divide Trail: A Guide for Thru-Hikers Road walking with no shoulder and semi-trucks passing by at 70 mph / 113 km/h less than 2 ft / 0.6 m away was sketchy. So remote and inspiring is the route that Land Rover chose it as a challenge for the North American introduction of the Range Rover in 1989, when six Range Rovers became the first vehicles to complete the entire journey. The Continental Divide National Scenic Trail (CDT) extends 3,100 miles from Mexico to Canada across a range of landscapes in New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming, Idaho, and Montana. Want to know how you can expect to meet your maker should this hike turn out to be your last? Targhee Peak. The world's longest mountain bike route zigzags 2,490 miles (4,007 kilometers) along the Continental Divide from the Canadian border near Eureka . The lowest elevation of the trail in Colorado is 8,044 feet (2,452m) along the Middle Fork of the Elk River near the border with Wyoming[22] and the highest elevation in Colorado is 14,278 feet (4,352m) at the summit of Gray's Peak. Portions of the trail already existed and a few hikers claimed to have walked from Mexico to Canada on the informal trail,[3] among them Jim Wolf, A Baltimore lawyer who had hiked the Appalachian Trail in 1971, and whose account of that journey appears in the two-volume book, Hiking the Appalachian Trail. Leaving Grand Lake and hiking through thunder from 11 am to 7 pm, hiking through the rain for hours in a rutted burn area. Local landmarks and their names: Part two - Estes Park Trail-Gazette Hannah got into the tent. Most of the CDT is located on National Forest System lands-, traveling 2,140 miles through 20 National Forests and 4 forest service regions. This 13,916-foot peak sits just to the southeast of Longs Peak and can be prominently viewed along Colorado Highway 7. Another recommendation: For most of us, driving through the high lonesome on the continental divide will be a one-time thing, in other words a trip of a lifetime. A guy on a motorcycle offered me a ride and then said he didnt have helmets but it was fine because theres no helmet law in Montana, I happened upon a man and a woman digging in some dirt on the shoulder and they had their truck parked off the edge of a forest service road. Eureka acknowledged it's been a tough winter. For hikers who have completed all three trails, ALDHA-West presents the official "Triple Crown of Hiking" (TC). It was truly miserable. Thru-hiking the CDT is an adventure of a lifetime, but it's not for the faint of heart. Hikers don't get the luxury of dictating every aspect of their hikes. He didn't want to be the first to cross the river, he wanted to help everybody else across the river. A man in a pickup blocked the road I was walking in Northern New Mexico. Elk Mountain. WARNING! All-inclusive trips, expert guides, Top-rated hiking company on Trip Advisor! The award is acknowledged here . For four to six months of walking, CDT thru-hikers have a laundry list of concerns that outpace those of many other long trails: grizzly bears, lightning storms, avalanche danger, unmarked or non-existent . The Continental Divide which consists of the Rockies and several other mountain ranges splits the North American Continent into two watersheds. The Continental Divide National Scenic Trail (in short Continental Divide Trail, CDT) is a United States National Scenic Trail with a length measured by the Continental Divide Trail Coalition of 3,028 miles (4,873 km) between the U.S. border with Chihuahua, Mexico and the border with Alberta, Canada. The Essential Off-Road Tools You Need for Safe Wheeling on the Trails, 10 Best Off-Road Tires and How to Pick the Right Ones. Hikers sent sympathy notes to his parents praising Alex as easygoing, strong, cheerful, always willing to lend others a hand. The Continental Divide Trail is meant to follow the Continental Divide through the United States between Mexico and Canada, or at least stay within 50 miles of it since it is not always practical to put the trail directly on the divide. They meet at the actual continental divide at Flattop Mountain, an elevation of 12,324 feet (according to the National Park Service's website). Depending on any given year's snow-pack and a hiker's individual schedule, alternative routes are available. [22], The Rocky Mountains of Colorado terminate in southern Wyoming and the CDT passes through a through a long section of desert range-land in the middle of the state, known as the Great Divide Basin. At any point on the loop, you'll be on one of those two trails. On a path as long, high, and remote as the Continental Divide Trail, there is little room for gear errors. Continental Divide Trail Maps & Guides | TRAILSOURCE.COM Murder charges: 'Who else want it?' was banging a pot and spoon all night. [25][1], Notable points from south to north on the CDT in Montana include:[25][1]. Several additional mountains with elevations of more than 14,000 feet (4,300m) are near the trail, The CDT traverses many of the highest and wildest mountain ranges of Colorado, frequently at elevations near or above timberline which is about 12,000 feet (3,700m) in southern Colorado and 11,000 feet (3,400m) in northern Colorado. ", "Most Remote Spots in U.S. Wilderness Complexes", "Hidden Montana: Anaconda-Pintler Wilderness", "CDT Montana Volunteer Trail Stewardship Program", CDT Montana, Montana Wilderness Association, Continental Divide National Scenic Trail in Rocky Mountain National Park, Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest web site, Hiking Journals from people on The Continental Divide Trail, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Continental_Divide_Trail&oldid=1138673676. Myth #1: The CDT is 70% complete. We give equal recognition to thruhikers/equestrians and sectionhikers/equestrians. 1 mo. At various spots along the blue route, Kevin has added alternative green and red tracks. Although, at least one red road was a single track suitable for a motorcycle only. Continental Divide Trail - Wikipedia Much of the surface over which we traveled on the Great Continental Divide Adventure Route was macadam, but there was also plenty of dirt, rocks, and gravel, so we needed tough tires with strong sidewalls and high traction treads, which was well provided by the Yokohama Geolandar tiresboth designswithout a single flat tire for the entire trip. A continental divide is a drainage divide on a continent such that the drainage basin on one side of the divide feeds into one ocean or sea, and the basin on the other side either feeds into a different ocean or sea, or else is endorheic, not connected to the open sea.Every continent on earth except Antarctica (which has no known significant, definable free-flowing surface rivers) has at least . 00:59 Alone/Remote04:49 The Trail Is Not Complete07:15 Exposure09:48 Lightning15:10 Dehydration17:41 Wildlife19:20 Snow Traverses (San Juans)22:40 Hypothermi. The purists hike a "continuous and unbroken footpath between Mexico and Canada," but about 50 percent of the thru-hikers admit to having skipped small sections of road-walking or because the trail was closed, mostly due to forest fires or snow. 2 min read. Called home crying about, Great Basin (Wyoming), no water at the water cache. You must walk a total of nearly 8,000 miles across 22 states with one . 800-715-HIKE (4453) (9-4:30 Every Day) . Interstate 15. In Montana near the Canadian border the trail crosses Triple Divide Pass (near Triple Divide Peak, from which waters may flow to either the Arctic Ocean (via Hudson Bay), Atlantic Ocean or Pacific Ocean). That is readily available via the internet and that we know of. A continental divide is a naturally occurring boundary or ridge separating a continent 's river systems.Each river system feeds into a distinct ocean basin, bay, or sea.. Continental divides are broad, continent-wide example of drainage divides, sometimes just called divides. [36], The CDT trail goes east from the Idaho border, circles around the city of Butte, then turns north toward Glacier National Park via the Lewis and Clark National Forest and through three National Wilderness areas. Most deaths from disease occurred east of Fort Laramie. The trail then moves along the forested mountains of Idaho and Montana before ascending the tall, sharp, rocky peaks of Glacier National Park, with the Canadian border on the horizon. The Senator introduced The Continental Divide Trail Completion Act with Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.). David Odell was the first person to thru-hike the (still undefined) CDT in 1977, although there was an earlier claim. A few hikers, especially those attempting to set speed records, are "supported," meaning they have helpers who meet or accompany them along the trail and perform non-hiking tasks, such as food preparation. The Continental Divide Trail (CDT) spans over 3,100 miles from Mexico to Canada and is one of the most significant trail systems in the world. I experienced vertigo for six weeks from a dislodged crystal in my ear (BPPV) while postholing through snow and low temperatures in Colorado (October and November). It was, My first night at Two Medicine before getting my permit and starting the trail the next day. In some places, the divide is obvious, like a high mountain pass clearly separating the watersheds. The Continental Divide Trail Coalition, P.O. Here is a detailed account of each of the deaths noted above (in chronological order from earliest to most recent): HAPE (UNCONFIRMED) | Maddie Magee | May 28, 2022 | Twenty-three-year-old Maddie Magee died near the top of Forester Pass (the high point of the PCT) in California's Sierra Nevada of (unconfirmed . In 1965, President Lyndon Johnson proposed a national system of trails and in 1968 the U.S. Congress adopted the National Trails System Act. This map was created by a user. If the weather warrants, enjoy its patio. Obviously, we had neither the time nor the funds to explore every alternative route along the divide, but we did sample several of them. said man who shot 2 at St. Paul family memorial, Stolen Kia being chased by patrol in Mpls. As of the end of the application period in late 2021, 525 hikers have been designated Triple Crowners since 1994 by the American Long Distance Hiking AssociationWest. The grand finale of the CDT in Wyoming is Yellowstone National Park. "As parents you always worry, but we had a certain level of trust," Tom said. Overnight it started sleeting. The CDT, alongside the Appalachian Trail and the Pacific Crest Trail make up the triple crown of hiking. When the storm passed, the fire was still going. Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, NJ/PA. A smaller labor force due to retirement, COVID, and less migration [17] Olive "Raindance" McGloin, yo-yoed in 2020 becoming the first woman on her second attempt (McGloin also yo-yoed the PCT in 2014). Most hikers occasionally take a "zero", a day without hiking, or a "nero", a day with little hiking, to rest and recuperate. [21], The official route of the CDT in New Mexico is 794.5 miles (1,278.6km) long,[1] although many alternate routes shorten or lengthen that distance. In 2018, 300 individuals attempted to hike the trail end-to-end. Snowy Valentine's Day for some parts of New Mexico - I-40 Continental On April 1, 2014, Lisanne and Kris, along with their host family's dog, Azul, embarked on a hike along the Pianista Trail. It was a long night. Water can be scarce and grizzly bears are found near Yellowstone Park. An Appalachian Trail Reading List - The Trek Speaking of trailheads, because of various issueshealth and mechanicalwe completed the journey in three stages, much as you readers might do if youre as intrigued as I with exploring the Continental Divide: First stage: Mexican border to Interstate 40, second stage: I40 to I80, and third stage: I80 to the Canadian border. Award-winning Hiking Tours: Continental Divide Trail Summits Day Hike Tour! Triple Crown | ALDHA-West Alex always loved being outdoors, his parents said. Original Thumbnail Medium. As GPS units have become both more powerful and easier to use, it has enabled anyone to be able to easily find their way along the trail. Be fully prepared for any weather, though, because even in July, some of the higher passes through the Rockies could be clogged with snow, or inundated with vicious storms (hail, rain, and/or snow). "I have to come to terms . I also came across the following deaths which occurred on or near the PCT but did not involve thru-hikers: FALL | 30-year-old male | March 31, 2022 | A mans body was recovered just north of Forester Pass on the Pacific Crest Trail/John Muir Trail following a fall in monsoon-type weather(source), LIGHTNING | Nicholas Torchia | July 30, 2021 | On the Sallie Keyes Cutoff near Muir Trail Ranch in the Sierra, Torchia was leaning against a tree for cover during a storm when the tree was struck by lightning (source), HEATSTROKE | Unnamed Woman | June 16, 2021 | Emergency services were called to aid a woman near Anza (California) suffering from suspected heatstroke. We recognize users regardless of sequence, direction, speed, or whether they carry a pack, or any variation of their hike. The Continental Divide Trail Coalition (CDTC) recognizes anyone who reports completion of the entire Continental Divide National Scenic Trail. The 20 Best Continental Divide Trail Books | Better Hiker gpsKevin Adventure Rides - International Continental Divide He called to say he'd received them. [8][9] Permits are required to hike or camp along some sections of the trail and a passport is needed to cross the Canadian border. Officially . He. The name "Trail Ridge Road" derives from its proximity to historic pathways used by native peoples to cross the Rocky Mountains. Continental Divide Trail (CDT) | Walking 4 Fun Wow, what a woman! The Oregon Trail developed from the discovery in 1812 of a wagon-safe route over the Continental Divide at South Pass in present-day Wyoming by Robert Stuart, a Pacific Fur Company man returning from Fort Astor. We took Mosquito Pass into Leadville and the 13,185-foot pass between Leadville and Fairplay required all the clearance our vehicles had and their transfer cases low ranges, but the history, the relics, the mine shafts, and scenery were well worth the effort.