Continental Divide Trail - 2015-2017

Why the Continental Divide Trail (CDT)?

I finished the Pacific Crest Trail in 2013 in probably the best shape of my life, 40 pounds down, a bit tired but looking to do another thru-hike someday. Afterward, Mrs. Haze said take a year off. Five months was indeed a long time to be gone, and by the way, the payback was a trip to Italy. We had a great time! But some of my absolutely favorite country is along the Continental Divide Trail (CDT) – the expanse, the ruggedness, the wilderness, the colorful landscape and the wildlife. I knew parts of this journey especially well and was very excited to have the opportunity to connect the dots.

The Continental Divide Trail is not as well traveled as the PCT although I’m sure it is increasing in popularity. However, the CDT has varied challenges – solitude, navigation (that’s getting better), water sources, snow levels, elevation and thunder/lightning storms to name a few. I almost failed to mention grizzly bears – sound like fun yet?

CDT – What and Where?

The Continental Divide Trail stretches approximately 2,700 to 3,000 miles (depending on alternatives) and crosses New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming, Idaho and Montana. Not to mention nearly the entire route is along the crest of the Rocky Mountains which separates the flow between the Pacific Ocean to the west and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Although the CDT on or near the Divide was designated a National Scenic Trail by Congress in 1979, it was not entirely completed so one must hike a combination of dedicated trail, paved and dirt roads, and maybe even some bushwhacking. Unlike the PCT, there are several alternative routes and choices to be had, some longer and some shorter.

Overall, the CDT ‘s path takes it through 25 National Forests, 21 Wilderness Areas and 3 National Parks. The total elevation gain along the route is 457,000 feet, roughly equivalent to climbing Mt Everest from sea level and back 16 times.

I received a lot of planning and logistics information from the Continental Divide Trail Coalition, http://cdtcoalition.org, and afterward, assistance with transport to the Crazy Cook Monument and water caches in the first section.

CDT Daily Posts

My daily blogs and other posts related to the CDT are found below: