Continental Divide Trail

The Continental Divide Trail (CDT) spans 3,000 miles along the spine of the Rocky Mountains, from the U.S.-Mexico border, through New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming, Idaho, and Montana to the U.S.-Canada border.

In 2023, I set out on a northbound thru-hike of the CDT, beginning at the Crazy Cook Monument in the New Mexico Bootheel. The trail follows the divide line of the North American continent, a feature that delineates the drainages of the Pacific and Atlantic watersheds. However, the trail offers alternate routes almost daily, allowing for personal and unique adaptations of along the divide. The CDT is considered 95% complete according to the definition of “scenic.” Nonetheless, this outstanding trail is my favorite of America’s “Big Three.”

Below, my walk is documented in sequential blog posts organized by state.

New Mexico

Beginning in the Chihuahuan Desert of the New Mexico bootheel, the trail navigates north through Gila, Cibola, Santa Fe, and Carson National Forests.

Colorado

The Colorado section follows the spine of the Rockies through the San Juan, Sawatch, Tenmile, Never Summer, Rabbit Ears, and Park Ranges, averaging 10,000 feet of elevation.

Wyoming

The CDT descends into Wyoming’s desert of the Great Divide Basin from Medicine Bow Wilderness, following the divide into the Wind River Range and Yellowstone National Park.

Montana & Idaho

The trail weaves the border of Idaho and Montana, negotiating Big Sky Country towards Glacier National Park and the northern terminus at the Canadian border.