Continental Divide Trail
is one of the most rugged and remote long-distance trails in the U.S., stretching approximately 3,100 miles from the Mexican border in New Mexico to the Canadian border in Montana. Following the spine of the Rocky Mountains, it passes through New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming, Idaho, and Montana, offering some of the most breathtaking and wild landscapes in North America. Unlike the more established Pacific Crest Trail or Appalachian Trail, the CDT is often less defined, requiring navigation skills, adaptability, and a strong sense of adventure.
The Trail Experience
Hikers on the CDT traverse a mix of deserts, alpine passes, dense forests, and high plains, experiencing everything from scorching heat in New Mexico to deep snow in the San Juan Mountains of Colorado. The terrain is tough, the weather unpredictable, and the remoteness means long stretches without resupply or civilization. It’s often said that the CDT is only 70% complete, with some sections requiring route-finding and cross-country travel.
More Than Just a Trail: The CDT Community
But just like the PCT, the CDT isn’t just about the miles—it’s about the people. The CDT community is smaller but incredibly tight-knit, made up of fellow hikers, Trail Angels, and the locals who support those taking on the challenge.
- Fellow Hikers – Since fewer people attempt the CDT compared to the PCT or AT, hikers form deep connections with those they do meet. Trail families (or “tramilies”) bond over shared struggles—long water carries, brutal weather, and tough navigation—and those connections often last a lifetime.
- Trail Angels – These incredible people provide water caches, food, rides into town, and sometimes even a warm place to sleep. In places like Pie Town, NM, or Lima, MT, local businesses and individuals have become legendary for their hospitality.
- Small-Town Encounters – Many CDT hikers have unforgettable moments in tiny trail towns, where locals are curious about their journey and often go out of their way to help. Some of the most unexpected kindness happens in the most remote places.
The CDT is often described as the “wildest and hardest” of the Triple Crown trails, but what makes it truly special is the people you meet along the way. Whether it’s another hiker you share hundreds of miles with, a Trail Angel offering you food and kindness, or a local who gives you a ride when you’re exhausted, the human connections formed on the CDT are just as powerful as the landscapes.
I completed the CDT in 2022, and if you are interested, you can watch my Vlogs on my Youtube channel
My thruhike of The Continental Divide Trail
Completing the Continental Divide Trail
I am back!
Follow my hike
New gear for Continental Divide Trail 2022
