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. The rest is on land managed by the Bureau of Land (12% or 372 miles), National Parks (10% or 310 miles), and state and private lands (8% or 248 miles). . More than likely, youll hit rain or snow, which means mud and washouts. The Tour Divide has been raced and completed on both single speed . The combined elevation gain of all the ' Hiking Triple Crown ' is more than climbing Mt Everest 41 times. Continental Divide Trail CDT Life, CDT Survey, Hiker Problems. 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). . Hopefully, none of this happens during your (or your loved ones) hike, but its possible. Read the following knowing that any one of these things could (and very well may) happen to you, should you find yourself on the Continental Divide Trail. Being the descendant of two Western iconsa cavalry scout on the plains and a member of Butch Cassidys Wild BunchI came by my fiddle-foot tendencies honestly and all the attractions of Mosquito Pass and Leadville called to me and my calling infected the others in my group. The Senator introduced The Continental Divide Trail Completion Act with Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.). Having thru-hiked the CDT twice herself, as well as numerous other long-distance . "He didn't need a lot of money to do what he did. When firefighters reached him, they were going over his symptoms when he suddenly went into arrest. Most hikers occasionally take a "zero", a day without hiking, or a "nero", a day with little hiking, to rest and recuperate. Accidents were the second most frequent cause of death on the trail . Either way, best to sign up for my newsletter, yeah? One Reply to "Otter's death on the Continental Divide Trail" Anna says: August 30, 2018 at 5:52 am. The pilot project will send out a professional for follow-ups after behavioral health crises. by David Rosenfeld. Save the dates and stay tuned for more details! Tent stakes didnt go in very well, but it stood up okay. Alex also liked helping people when not hiking. [10], Most thru-hikers begin the hike in April in New Mexico, hike northbound, and finish at the Canadian border in August or September. Myth #2: Thru-hiking is not a race. She previously covered Carver County and western Hennepin County as well as aging, workplace issues and other topics since she began at the paper in 2011. The Continental Divide in Southwest Montana. If the weather warrants, enjoy its patio. He didn't want to be the first to cross the river, he wanted to help everybody else across the river. . The most common problems reported by thru-hikers are injury and snow. They meet at the actual continental divide at Flattop Mountain, an elevation of 12,324 feet (according to the National Park Service's website). The Indian Peaks Wilderness is a wilderness area in north central Colorado managed jointly by the United States Forest Service and the National Park Service within the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests and small parts of the southern section of Rocky Mountain National Park.It borders the James Peak Wilderness to the south, and straddles the Continental Divide. He'd lost his glasses, so she mailed a spare pair and some cookies to Silverton, Colo. Gatewood endured so much trauma in her lifetimewhich may be where she found the fortitude, endurance, and will to be the first woman to hike the ATat 67 years of age! Some road walking is required. The trail is incomplete in a few sections, especially in New Mexico, which requires walking on roads. Clothing. 800-715-HIKE (4453) (9-4:30 Every Day) . Prior to that, she was a reporter at the Times-Picayune in New Orleans, La., and the Duluth News-Tribune and spent 15 years as a freelance writer for national and regional magazines. Here are 10 intriguing facts you may not know about the Continental Divide Trail. "By the time he was probably 10, we couldn't keep up with him," Julie Cahoy said. a 501 (c) (3) national non-profit organization that seeks to create a community committed to construct, promote, and protect in perpetuity the CDNST. 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. 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 CDT loop combines two longer park trailsthe Tonahutu Creek Trail and the North Inlet Trail. Stretching for 3,100 miles from Mexico to Canada, the Continental Divide Trail traverses some of North America's most scenic and remote terrains. The average base weight of a thru-hiker's backpack in 2018 was 16.4lb (7.4kg). CDTC policy is to operate on the honor system, assuming that those who submit a request for recognition have completed a journey between the Mexican and Canadian Border along the Continental Divide . Over the years, there have been a number of deaths on the Pacific Crest Trail. Thats why we treated the divide route like the trunk of a tree, with branches out both sides, but always returning to the basic route root. Before jumping off on the Continental Divide Trailor celebrating its finish (depending on which direction youre traveling)have a great meal at Caf Jaxwe thoroughly enjoyed the huge serving of kielbasa hash and eggs. 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. It was a long night. "[2] Distances given are approximate as sections of the trail are uncompleted and the trail is sometimes re-routed. If hikers begin too early they may encounter heavy and near impassable snow conditions in the southern San Juan and San Juan Mountains of Colorado, and if the hiker finishes too late they may also encounter heavy snow in Glacier National Park near the Canadian border. Interstate 15. A thru-hike is a bucket list item for many people, but which trail is best? He didnt understand that the only thing I was afraid of at that moment was. Obviously, we had neither the time nor the funds to explore every alternative route along the divide, but we did sample several of them. It turns out that the Pacific Crest Trail is a safe place to be (and when the zombies, robots, or aliens finally decide to make their move, Ill bet itll be even safer). The free printable Continental Divide Trail maps and guides below are organized by state starting in the south at the Mexican border in New Mexico, and working the way north along the C.D.T. Perhaps a more accurate description is that 30% of the CDT is on either a dirt or paved road. Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, NJ/PA. David Odell was the first person to thru-hike the (still undefined) CDT in 1977, although there was an earlier claim. 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. 15. In addition, memory chips are available through the website. WARNING! Thru-hikers of the Continental Divide Trail, the Appalachian Trail (AT) and the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) achieve what is known as the Triple Crown of Hiking. 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. Rocky Mountain National Park has the highest paved roads in any National Park in the United States. Hiking The Continental Divide National Scenic Trail . 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. "He apparently died peacefully in his sleep on top of a mountain at over 12,000 feet. Most of the CDT is located on National Forest System lands-, traveling 2,140 miles through 20 National Forests and 4 forest service regions. In the yearly Continental Divide Trail Hiker Survey, hikers share both their lowest moments on the trail (physically, mentally, emotionally - the literal lowest point of the CDT is Waterton Canyon, Montana at 2,972 ft / 906 m), as well as when, if ever, they found themselves in a situation where they felt they were in danger or where they were legitimately afraid. [25], Notable points on the CDT from south to north along the Idaho/Montana border include:[25][1], Leaving the Idaho/Montana border, the Montana portion of the CDT is 627 miles (1,009km) in length although several alternate routes shorten or lengthen that distance. According to a Google search, The Great Continental Divide Adventure Route is a motorized route that follows closely along the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail. The Crazy Cook Monument in New Mexico's bootheel is the most commonly used starting or finishing point of the CDT, but due to its remote location lacks lodging and other services. Bowlin Travel Centers Inc. Nature's indifference, unexpected weather, or a badly timed road crossing can all result in hikers becoming quickly in over their heads. The 2017 hiking season was plagued by many dangerous river crossings because of the unusually high snowpack from the previous winter (source), HEATSTROKE (SUSPECTED) | Marvin Novo | May 29, 2017 | In the Mission Creek Preserve (California), Marvin Novos body was discovered along the West Fork Trail. "And not just a little bitty fire," Hannah said. Depending on any given year's snow-pack and a hiker's individual schedule, alternative routes are available. to the Canadian border in Montana, just as you would be thru-hiking. "Trail angels" (volunteers) at locations along the trail assist hikers with food, water, and transportation to and from resupply points to trail heads. Forest fires often result in parts of the trail being closed and the hiker must take alternative routes. "As parents you always worry, but we had a certain level of trust," Tom said. He was in his sleeping bag, his possessions arranged neatly around him. In 1978, the Continental Divide Trail was formally established with the responsibility for management given to the U.S. Forest Service. Once known as Magic City and Cloud City, and situated nearly two miles in the sky, Leadville enjoyed two gold rushes with a major silver strike in-between. That is readily available via the internet and that we know of. He broke one arm, both legs, and suffered a head injury. [15] Tapon took the most circuitous, scenic, high, difficult route north and while returning south, took the more expedient route. Later that night, she got a call from the coroner. Ninety-five percent of the trail is located on public land, including National Parks, National Forests, and land managed by the Bureau of Land Management. New Mexico; Continental Divide; I-40; . As a part of the thru-hiker survey, I also ask hikers, What (if anything) was your lowest moment on the trail? Yes, social media is filled with photos of sunrises, sunsets, and mountain vistas, but not of hikers pooping their pants, crying alone in their tents, or being swarmed by mosquitoes. 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. Website Designed & Developed by ThompsonStenning, The town of Lordsburg, New Mexico, will be hosting a Trail Days festival April 14-15, 2023. Mountain bikes are allowed on parts of the Colorado Trail. Wow, what a woman! [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. 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. Herman Gulch. It is concurrent with the Colorado Trail for approximately 200 miles (320km). The CDT was described in 2013 by a Triple Crown hiker as "Raw, wild, remote and unfinished; it is a trail that will make use of all the skills of an experienced backpacker. Continental Divide Trail. We use cookies to improve your experience on this website and so that ads you see online can be tailored to your online browsing interests. 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. Because the Continental Divide Loop . Though the Internet is now an invaluable resource for hikers, and a number of other authors have created their own guide books, Yogi's Continental Divide Trail Handbook still stands as one of the best resources for CDT thru-hikers. As I mentioned earlier, along this trail youll meet hikers, motorcycle riders, and mountain bikers (amazingly, the mountain bike record for the 2,700-mile border-to-border route is a mere two weeks!). 1 mo. 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. St. Paul residents ask: When will the recycling truck cometh? "The Continental Divide Trail provides an unmatched outdoor experience for Montanans and visitors alike," Daines said. Ashland Ski Lodge (Oregon), Phillip Crosby was crushed by a tree that fell on his tent in strong wind (source), FALL | 20-year-old male | August 20, 2013 | A man free-climbing a rock face with friends near the PCT in Yakima County (Washington) fell to his death (source), HYPOTHERMIA | Karen Tellez | December 7, 1997 | A woman out hiking became separated from her group and died of suspected hypothermia near the PCT near Pine Canyon Road in Southern California (source), SUICIDE | Douglas Cracker | October 29, 1988 | A hiker on the PCT discovered the body of Douglas Cracker, who died of a self-inflicted gunshot to the head, half a mile north of Highway 62 in Crater Lake National Park (source). Detailed Description. [1] Frequent route changes and a large number of alternate routes result in an actual hiking distance of 2,700 miles (4,300km) to 3,150 miles (5,070km). It was super windy and the heavy pack was a struggle. Most thru-hikers take this alternate route, which is 60 miles (97km) shorter than the official CDT and passes through the town of. Girl, 13, Youngest to Claim Triple Crown", "Working Together, Continental Divide National Scenic Trail", "Horror & Heartbreak on the Continental Divide Trail (2018 Edition)", "What are the steepest climbs on the AT, PCT, and CDT? [6][7], Successfully thru-hiking the entire Continental Divide Trail takes an average of five months. The residents of Atlantic City, Wyoming, are just fine being off the grid. 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.