The Continental Divide Path is among the tougher thru-hikes. I thru-hiked the CDT and perceive not solely how troublesome it’s however what info it is advisable to know when planning your CDT thru-hike.
If you’re Through-Mountaineering the Continental Divide Path in 2024 this complete information ought to reply most of your questions, encourage you to get on the market and scare the crap out of you.
It features a every day CDT Weblog full with cool images, info on learn how to get to the trailheads on the northern and southern terminus, plus information on maps, apps, resupply, gear guides, permits, and guidebooks. If I missed something, let me know.
Mountaineering the CDT Path
Through-Mountaineering the CDT was one of many hardest issues I’ve ever finished in my life. I documented my hike as a every day journal however over time it grew right into a useful resource for anybody else desirous to hike the path. I recorded my CDT Through Hike in my every day journal which included what I used to be seeing and experiencing on the through mountaineering the Continental Divide Path. Usually I used to be too exhausted to write down in regards to the day however I persevered. That is the consequence.
Anybody considering the CDT Through Hike would possibly discover it helpful to learn all of the weblog posts listed under. If after studying the weblog posts you continue to have questions then let me know. I’d be glad to assist any future hiker in any method attainable. Simply let me know.
Continental Divide Path Gear
I used to be actually not ultralight throughout my thru-hike. My Continental Divide Path Gear Checklist offers you an concept of one of the best ultralight gear for the CDT.
My gear is consistently being changed because it wears out or I look to improve.
Beneath are opinions of all one of the best gear thru-hiking gear out there in the mean time.
Continental Divide Path Documentary
Subscribe to my YouTube channel
Continental Divide Path Suggestions
NOBO vs SOBO vs Flip
NOBO is mountaineering Northbound, SOBOB is mountaineering Southbound and Flip means mountaineering sections of the path which can be greatest suited to the climate for that space. I’ll describe issues a bit higher under.
After deciding to backpack the CDT it’s time to think about which route to hike. There are benefits and downsides of Through-Mountaineering the CDT northbound, southbound, or finishing a flip-style hike. There isn’t any excellent route for the CDT Through Hike. Southbound is the most suitable choice regardless that I hiked Northbound. Make up your thoughts.
Mountaineering the CDT NOBO
A CDT northbound hiker is suffering from the opportunity of late-season snows within the San Juan Mountains of southern Colorado. Then there are the numerous thunderstorms in northern New Mexico and Colorado.
Mountaineering within the snow of the San Juan mountains isn’t any joke. It actually scared the crap out of me. I’m not a mountaineer. It felt extra like Through Mountaineering the CDT than Through-Mountaineering the CDT. I almost set off 4 moist snow avalanches in at some point it was time to bail from the mountains and take the decrease Creede cutoff route.
Try the San Juan Mountains in June – Extra like Mountaineering!
The path each humbled and upset me after I needed to bail off the path. My security was extra vital to me. It’s only a matter of time earlier than a Through-Hiker dies whereas mountaineering early season within the San Juan mountains. Don’t plan on beginning in Colorado earlier than seventh June on the earliest. Be warned.
Through Mountaineering the CDT northbound has a number of benefits that the southbound hiker doesn’t have. It permits the hiker to start out mountaineering slowly. Loads of low miles at the beginning to permit their physique to adapt to massive miles. New Mexico can be very low cost compared to the opposite states, so spending an additional night time or two in a lodge to relaxation early on within the hike is cheaper than the opposite states.
CDT Northbound Begin Date
Most thru-hikers begin the Continental Divide Path in late April or early Might. The best begin date for thru-hiking the CDT Northbound could be fifteenth April. This might permit somebody mountaineering the Continental Divide Path northbound to not rush the path and danger damage.
New Mexico is the most affordable state for the entire path. Get pleasure from some relaxation days. Beginning slowly it permits the snow to soften in Colorado.
Flip Flop Through Hike of the CDT
The flip-flop methodology just isn’t one of the best methodology for thru-hiking the CDT. The difficulty is the quantity of early-season snow that may accumulate in Colorado and Montana makes each choices dangerous. Additionally, many areas in Idaho and Wyoming are lined in snow in June too.
The San Juan mountains of Colorado aren’t any place to study mountaineering within the snow. Hikers might begin the hike a bit slower than they usually would or take a while off in northern New Mexico to permit the snow to soften.
Flipping north has the disadvantages. It’ll value cash to journey to Montana. Perhaps your mountaineering buddies that you’ve met on the path don’t wish to go along with you. Worst of all of the path will end at some street junction someplace somewhat than at a monument on the border.
Mountaineering the CDT Southbound
CDT Southbound hikers are plagued with the opportunity of late-season snows on the passes in Glacier Nationwide Park. The hiker should begin at a time when it’s secure to journey however early sufficient to offer the hiker sufficient time to get by way of Colorado earlier than winter units in.
The worst factor about thru-hiking southbound on the CDT is the Bob Marshall Wilderness. It’s a onerous part of path with troublesome resupply choices. Made worse by not being trail-fit and all of the winter storms which have blown down timber. These is not going to have been cleared from the path in June and even July. Making the hike slower than at different instances of the yr.
CDT Southbound makes for very chilly climate in Colorado. Early-season winter storms in Colorado can power the hiker off the path. Some thru-hikers have died in early winter storms on the CDT. Think about having to street stroll round all probably the most wonderful mountains of Colorado and Northern New Mexico due to early-season snow. It’s a chance and could be a safer possibility than risking a hike in deep snow.
If I used to be Through Mountaineering the CDT Path once more I’d go southbound. Why? I believe the probabilities of a profitable hike are elevated. Colorado will likely be brutally chilly which I dislike. I’d gear up for the chilly in Colorado. Mountaineering southbound means being just a little extra trail-fit at the beginning of the hike in Montana. Lengthy daytime ought to equal moderately massive miles.
CDT Southbound Begin Date
Most hikers begin their southbound hike from mid-June to the top of June. fifteenth June could be the best begin date. The excessive passes in Glacier Nationwide Park will likely be snow-covered for most individuals beginning on this date and the paths by way of the Bob Marshall Wilderness will likely be slower going resulting from all of the winter tree blowdowns that haven’t been cleared. Hold that in thoughts once you decide what number of days of meals you want. It could be slower going than you suppose.
How Lengthy Does it Take to Hike the Continental Divide? Path?
Most thru-hikers will take 5 months to hike the Continental Divide Path. Sooner hikers who’ve accomplished different thru-hikes are assured of their means and use ultra-lightweight gear will full the path in 4 months. Early-season snow and the early onset of winter make it virtually not possible to hike this path in 6 months or longer.
What’s the Highest Level on the CDT?
Grays Peak is the best level on the CDT at 14278ft / 4352m. Grays Peak has a straightforward mountaineering path to the summit. The largest difficulties of the hike are the climate and altitude.
Attending to the Begin of the Continental Divide Path
Attending to the Southern Terminus of the CDT requires a alternative of three locations to start out or end the CDT within the south. Antelope Wells, Loopy Cook dinner, and Columbus.Â
The commonest choice to get to or from the southern terminus is to take the Amtrak practice to the city of Lordsburg, New Mexico. Then take the CDTC shuttle Lordsburg to Loopy Cook dinner.
Antelope Wells is an alternative choice. It’s on Hwy 81 proper on the Mexico border. A hitch or personal transport could be the one viable solution to get there. It is usually the top or begin of the Nice Divide Mountain Bike Route that parallels the CDT. Columbus is simply north of the Mexico border with Greyhound buses servicing the world.
Attending to the Northern Terminus of the CDT
There are two locations to start out or end within the north, Waterton Canada or Chief Mountain. The simplest solution to get to or from the beginning of the path could be to take Amtrak companies to East Glacier, Montana. From there take the shuttle to Chief Mountain.
For these returning to the USA after the hike. I hitchhiked and was fortunate. The Shuttle runs until mid-September when the border crossing to the USA is closed. You’ll want to examine when issues shut if mountaineering late or early within the season.
Path Cities and Resupply Factors
I confronted an issue with the CDT. Small-town USA is somewhat crap for offering good nutritious meals.
Many instances a grocery retailer didn’t have something remotely wholesome. No fruit and no greens. Every part was packaged crap meals.
My physique suffered from poor diet after about 2000 miles. In a determined second, I ordered protein powder and a big field of Mountain Home meals so as to add a minimum of just a little diet to my weight loss plan. It did work.
Wonderful how nutritious meals could make a distinction with vitality ranges. For an entire information to resupply on the CDT, together with cities, mileage, mailing addresses, and telephone numbers, click on the hyperlink under.
CDT Guidebook
There aren’t any good CDT Guidebooks. Yogis Information was once good however hasn’t been up to date in a few years.
Learn my Resupply Information for the Continental Divide Path which I hope to replace for the 2024 mountaineering season.
Obtain the FarOut Guides to your smartphone for one of the best information on the path, together with maps and path city information.
CDT Permits for Glacier NP and Yellowstone NP
Glacier Nationwide Park has a reservation system for all of the backcountry campsites. Southbound hikers have it straightforward. They’ll pre-plan their arrival dates and arrange permits over the telephone. Northbound hikers have two choices. Name forward and ebook their websites or flip up on the Again Nation Ranger Station at Two Drugs and prepare for permits. Each techniques aren’t ideally suited however it’s the solely method.
Click on right here for additional information on Glacier Nationwide Park Permits.
Backcountry Permits for Yellowstone Nationwide Park are barely irritating for the CDT hiker. Principally as a result of it may be onerous to name forward and pre-plan what campsites they are going to be in.
The commonest possibility is to camp simply outdoors the park and hike to the closest backcountry allow workplace to arrange permits. Northbound hikers should hike 27 miles to Grants Village. Southbound hikers should hike 18 miles to Outdated Devoted Village.
Click on right here for additional information on Yellowstone Nationwide Park Permits.
Continental Divide Path Maps
Digital and paper maps of the CDT exist however are hardly ever utilized by anybody today.
My iPhone was my solely type of navigation help after I hiked the CDT. I used to be within the majority. Few hikers carry paper maps, and even fewer have a compass.
Your best option of maps is the FarOut Guides which works along with your smartphone. Obtain the maps for offline use.
As for the usage of a devoted GPS unit like a Garmin, I solely noticed one particular person utilizing one on the CDT however most use Smartphones these days.
Occasions are altering. Know-how is altering. Utilizing the built-in GPS on the telephone is the long run. I’m one of many many who’re embracing the long run. However it has additionally created a false sense of safety for a lot of hikers. Know-how can fail. Paper maps can blow away within the wind.
To guard my know-how I used a telephone battery financial institution to maintain issues charged. Extra importantly, I used a Case to guard the telephone. A damaged telephone equaled a damaged hiker.
Smartphone Apps for the Continental Divide Path
Farout CDT Information
Nearly each CDT hiker makes use of the FarOut App. The FarOut Information has improved rather a lot in recent times and I can’t consider any purpose why you wouldn’t use it.
Avenza PDF Maps
This app is free, and so are the Ley Maps. Obtain the App and seek for Ley Maps CDT. Activate the situation companies for the App and you’ve got a free mapping App for the CDT.
The benefit of the Ley maps is the alternate routes and mentions of water sources not listed on GutHook. The factor with the CDT is the alternates are oftentimes a extra scenic possibility or a shortcut on the path. The ‘Official CDT’ just isn’t all the time that scenic.
Pocket Earth PRO Offline Maps
To navigate round cities and get me off trails in emergencies or to detour round fires I take advantage of an Offline Topo referred to as Pocket Earth Professional. I obtain the entire state topo map to my telephone.
If I have to bail off the path, that is my go-to map. It additionally reveals motels and eating places and so on. There are quite a lot of useful Wiki Journey hyperlinks on the offline maps with information resembling historic websites.
Many individuals use the Gaia App and price it extremely.
CDT Water Report
The CDT water report was once one of the best information for water on the path. It appears now that the FarOut Guides at the moment are one of the best supply of details about water sources.
The CDT is kind of a dry path. Each state on the path has lengthy sections with little water. The deserts in New Mexico are dry in lots of locations. Cattle ponds and electrical windmills are the one water sources for a lot of miles.
Lots of the excessive ridges within the Rocky Mountains of Colorado even have sections of little or no water. The Nice Basin in Wyoming is infamous for lengthy sections of little water. The identical is true for the ridge-top strolling in Idaho and Montana.
Suffice it to say there are quite a lot of dry sections on the CDT. FarOut Guides have improved rather a lot and at the moment are one of the best supply of information.
Snow Circumstances on the Continental Divide Path
A late-season snow soften will imply many doubtlessly harmful conditions. Many an skilled snow hiker has been humbled by a mix of harmful snow, dangerous climate, and sluggish journey.
Northbound hikers ought to think about beginning in Colorado after seventh June. Yearly is totally different however it’s virtually assured that there will likely be snow to take care of.
The southbound hiker has the benefit of solely actually getting a brief part of snow in Glacier Nationwide Park. Primarily on the Passes. fifteenth June is mostly accepted because the most secure begin date for SOBO.
Snow depth chart for the Continental Divide Path
Wildlife on the CDT
Through Mountaineering the CDT places the hiker ready to have wildlife encounters. In 2016 two Through Hikers have been mauled by Grizzly Bears on the CDT. Each lived to proceed mountaineering. The assaults occurred in the identical space between the Wind River Vary and Yellowstone Nationwide Park in Wyoming. Presumably by the identical bear.
The hikers, Zorro and Smiley have been mountaineering solo and the Bears attacked with little warning. I met each of those hikers whereas on the path. Smiley had significantly nasty puncture wounds on his butt.
I had a Grizzly Bear stroll previous my tent in the identical space as I slept. The next morning I found the bear tracks solely 20 toes from my tent. I had my meals in my tent and was not carrying bear spray on the time. Luck was on my aspect, I had an in depth name. I realized my lesson and took precautions after these acts of stupidity.
Cling meals and carry bear spray between The Nice Basin of Wyoming and the Canadian border.
Rattlesnakes have been frequent in New Mexico and in locations in Wyoming. One attacked my GoPro whereas taking pictures some close-up video! There are additionally Moose, Bison, Wolves, Wolverines, Mountain Lions, and Lynx.
Know Why You Are Through Mountaineering the CDT
Throughout instances of hardship, you’ll query why you’re doing this to your self. Perhaps you haven’t seen one other hiker for a lot of days or survived a winter snowstorm and are operating low on meals with many days to hike to the closest city.
Have a critical take into consideration your purpose for mountaineering the path. For me, it was all the time about nature, the surroundings, the wildlife, and the problem of finishing a tough thru-hike.
Prime 5 Days on the Continental Divide Path
If I hiked the CDT Once more
If I have been Through Mountaineering the CDT once more what would I do otherwise?
Firstly, I would like to be Through-Mountaineering the CDT southbound. It gives a greater likelihood of success for the hiker who has a little bit of path health.
Secondly, I’d ship extra meals bins with nutritious meals to among the small cities in Idaho and Montana.
Thirdly, I’d spend much less time within the path cities of Colorado, they’re costly.
And eventually, I’d take extra neros and fewer zeros. I had a lot of zero days within the path cities.
Journey Insurance coverage for Abroad Through-Hikers
CDT Hikers touring from abroad will want some type of Journey Insurance coverage. Learn the superb print. Particularly with regards to touring at altitude as many suppliers is not going to insure you when touring above 3000 meters.
Continental Divide Path Weblog – Pre-Hike Data
Continental Divide Path New Mexico
Continental Divide Path New Mexico is house to rugged desert mountains and among the least expensive path cities on the entire CDT. A fantastic place for northbound hikers to take their time and get path match. Southbound through hikers on the CDT can take pleasure in quick days with massive miles in the event that they so select, or decelerate and benefit from the final weeks on the path. The numerous Nation Forests make for excellent mountaineering and tenting.
Continental Divide Path Colorado
The Continental Divide Path Colorado is the coldest part of the entire path, each for the northbound and southbound thru-hiker. Late-season snow and thunderstorms for the northbound thru-hiker and chilly frost and early-season snow for the southbound hikers. Arguably, Colorado is probably the most visually beautiful part of the path.
Continental Divide Path Wyoming
The Continental Divide Path Wyoming is a spot for mountaineering massive miles. From the flat and straightforward sections of the Wyoming Basin to probably the most visually beautiful part of the entire CDT within the Wind River Vary. And allow us to not overlook Yellowstone Nationwide Park. South of Yellowstone Nationwide Park is an space with many Grizzly Bears the place a number of incidents have occurred. Carry Bear Spray and dangle meals.
Continental Divide Path Idaho
The Continental Divide Path Idaho brings sections of trails with a seemingly countless rollercoaster of hills. Fixed up and down mountaineering within the hills. A number of the resupply cities are troublesome to achieve. It’s the time when each northbound and southbound thru-hikers might want to make massive miles to keep away from the snow which will likely be arriving quickly.
Continental Divide Path Montana
The Continental Divide Path Montana has among the most beautiful and troublesome terrain. The rugged sections of path Glacier Nationwide Park and the lengthy resupply sections of the Bob Marshall Wilderness are the highlights. It is usually a spot to watch out for Grizzly Bears. hanging meals at night time is a should.
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Benefit from the path.
Cheers Shepherd – PCT15, CDT16, AT17, TA18-19 and nonetheless mountaineering.
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The writer, Brad McCartney from BikeHikeSafari is a small unbiased adventurer and out of doors gear tester who owns and runs BikeHikeSafari.com.
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