Thru hike planning spreadsheet, 15 mile plan if this is your first visit, be sure to check out the faq by clicking the link above. The great outdoors stack exchange is a question and answer site for people who love being outdoors enjoying nature and wilderness, and learning about the required skills and equipment. A guide to hiking the continental divide howstuffworks. There have been days when it has made my head spin, but it will all be well worth it in the end. We thought wed share these plans with you, because we believe they will aid you in your planning. Many thruhikers attempt to hike the continental divide trail in a single season. If you decide to go ahead with your hike, id suggest getting the data book, and the thruhikers companion from the appalachian trail conference. You would think that in a recently updated edition feb. How to thru hike the colorado trail from end to end complete with a detailed and zoomable interactive map of the entire 486 mile long distance trail. Colorado trail thruhike 2016 public group facebook.
A quick and dirty cdt guide posted on december 17, 20 april 16, 2020 author paul mags 33 comments the continental divide trail is the last of the big three trails that most thruhikers tackle as part of the triple crown of longdistance hiking. Choosing a tent that is comfortable, spacious, and easy to setup can make or break a camping trip. The reason he does not have his patch on his new backpack is that the patches do not fit with the new design because of the zipper. The continental divide trail thruhiker survey 2019 halfway. One of the most prominent updates is support for the notch. As of july, he was done marching through the last of the 14ers in colorado and well into wyoming. Complete gear lists hundreds of complete gear lists by those that walked the walk. How to thruhike the 486mile colorado trail osprey packs. The continental divide national scenic trail cdt is one of the most significant trail systems in the world. Lander to dubois cdt thru hike 2018 continental divide trail lander to dubois hike overview the first 30 or so miles are a lead up from the lowlands of the great divide basin desert into the high country of the wind river range. Because this is the only part of the cdt with this requirement, most thru hikers avoid staying overnight in rocky mountain, thus avoiding the need for permits or bear cans. I havent gone through to put captions for the photos yet. Packing a topnotch tent is one of the best ways to increase comfort, safety, and enjoyment on backcountry trips.
These three areas of planning for a thru hike are just the tip of the iceberg, but will get you 75% of the way there. Each year, hundreds of individuals set out to hike from mexico to canada or canada to mexico along the continental divide trail. A thruhike of the cdt requires using some alternate trails and roads. So when youre in the market for a new shelter, pick up one of the best backpacking tents of 2020. Thruhiking the cdt for underserved kids rei coop journal.
Mar 30, 2019 planning a thruhike of the continental divide trail. Continental divide trail backpacking packing list rei coop. If you would like more information on the pct itself, check out the pacific crest trail associations homepage. Its not impossible to complete the cdt without sending a single box. The most popular plan for resupplying on the continental divide trail and most long trails is to do the bulk of resupplying along the trail, sending a few boxes to key areas with difficult or nonexistent on trail resupply. Continental divide trail backpacking trails and thruhiking. The cdt through rmnp is 25 miles, starting or ending at grand lake to the south. Many gps units also have software that allows to you load in maps. And whether youre planning a weekend hike or a sixmonth thruhike, its always a good idea to trace your route and plan your rest and resupply points in advance. My first thruhike of the appalachian trail was years ago in 2002. A number books, memoirs, web sites and fan organizations are dedicated to this pursuit. Appalachian long distance hikers association planning. Dec 17, 20 a quick and dirty cdt guide posted on december 17, 20 april 16, 2020 author paul mags 33 comments the continental divide trail is the last of the big three trails that most thruhikers tackle as part of the triple crown of longdistance hiking.
The pacific crest trail was in 2006, nine years ago, and the cdt, well, lets just say ive been dreaming and scheming my way through my desk job for a long time. The colorado trail guide interactive map and thruhike planning. In addition, it is an invaluable resource for those planning their own section or thruhike of the cdt. Guthook guides is one of the best hiking apps for thru hikers. Cdt map i have been planning to hike this trail for years, literally. The continental divide national scenic trail is a united states national scenic trail running.
The continental divide trail, appalachian trail, and the pacific crest trail form the triple crown of long distance hiking in the united states. Permits, train tickets, kilometers, and the list goes on. An update on postcdt life thru hiking, adventure travel. Hitched with a big rig truck driver, and learned way more about the drugs that. Your guide to resupplying on the continental divide trail. Welcome to the results of the 2019 continental divide trail thruhiker survey. The whole track for the cdtcontinental divide trail on my. Of course, after talking about the appalachian trail and the pacific coast trail, it is time for the third one of the crew. Some four and a half years after finishing the 12 long walks of which the calendar triple crown constituted the last three hikes the pct, cdt and at continue to be the trails i am asked about. From which direction to travel, navigation and safety resources and a comprehensive resupply chart this guide provides a solid foundation for planning a cdt trip.
Online gathering point for ct enthusiast and experts centered on summer 2016 thruhike. Cdt im coming for you goodbye east coast border to lordsburg lordsburg to silver city silver city to doc campbells docs to reserve reserve to pie town pie town to grants grants to cuba cuba to ghost ranch ghost ranch to chama chama to. May 18, 2017 detailed gear lists for regular season thru hikes of the pacific crest and continental divide trails, and a fall thru hike of the appalachian trail. Theres a lot i think you should know, so for this first part, ill talk about timeline, navigation, alternates, information sources, and water.
Now when you go to my photos page you will see an album for the cdt hike. The youngest person to thruhike the trail is reed gjonnes, who hiked the trail with her father eric gjonnes from. Start at east glacier since you couldnt really hike that last section in 2018. She provides incredibly detailed information about where one can resupply, what maps and. Jonathan leys continental divide trail kmz file converted to gpx format and divided into 20 track segments of 500 waypoints per track, presented for the northbound traveler. The pacific crest trail is a 2,665 mile or so long hiking trail from mexico to canada, located in the states of california, oregon, and washington. Cdt planning guide digital version the cdt planning guide is a onestop resource for starting to plan a longdistance trip along the cdt. The other 25% comes from going out there and hiking. This planning guide covers when to go, which direction, navigation, dangers, section highlights, elevation, wildlife, terrain difficulty, how long it takes and more. Sectionhikers have selfimposed time boundaries that force them to pace themselves, even if that pace is five miles per day. Cdt planning guide digital version continental divide. If this is your first thru hike, you might find the planning tips in this book useful.
A notice for anyone planning to hike or ride on the cdt updated may 8, 2020. Continental divide trail society continental divide trail. Each year roughly 150 people attempt to thruhike the cdt, hiking the entire. These publications will aid you in planning an itinerary and your mail drops mail drops are post offices along the way where you will receive mail and care packages from family and friends. The continental divide trail, appalachian trail, and the pacific crest trail form the triple. Trippin ant anthony culpepper thru dylan and ann kuhn thru david dietrich solo section. Its a smart idea to consult multiple map providers, guidebooks and other resources, too, because the route of the cdt is evolving each year and its so much more variable than other thru trails. These three trails take thru hikers and backpackers to some of the most scenic, remote. To most regular folks, traveling that sort of distance on foot with your possessions on your back sounds like a form of torture. Tips for an appalachian trail thru hike plan to be spontaneous. Theyll help you stock up on the right gear for the weather and plan your. Planning for an appalachian trail thru hike go backpacking. Every year, hundreds of people set out to thruhike the appalachian trail on the east coast, pacific crest trail on the west coast, and the continental divide trail running between mexico and canada. The society is a grassroots organization, with about 250 members in nearly every state and several foreign countries.
Many pacific crest trail thruhikers download or print out the pct. One womans journey is the story of their incredible summer and is filled with courage, humor, stunning scenery, local personalities and the simple joys of backpacking. For those of you who have done an extended thru hike pct, cdt, at, i was wondering about some practical issues about returning to civilization. These three areas of planning for a thruhike are just the tip of the iceberg, but will get you 75% of the way there. And whether youre planning a weekend hike or a sixmonth thru hike, its always a good idea to trace your route and plan your rest and resupply points in advance.
Yes that annoying indent that is making its way to smartphones. Cdt planning guide print version continental divide trail. Waypoints include water sources, shelters, campsites, road crossings. If your trip will span more than a day or two, theres a lot you need to think about when planning an adventure on the cdt. Many thru hikers attempt to hike the continental divide trail in a single season. Create an extensive hike plan easily configurable to your hiking style. Cdt mailing labels based on research by cdt thru hiker robert sly sylvester, the cdt mailing label page provides an easy way to create mailing labels for many of the locations along the continental divide trail.
If youve spent any time in colorado, you know that the states real obsession is with bagging peaks over 14,000 feet. I have been planning to hike this trail for years, literally. You can find a wide range of planning essentials on the cdtc thruhike planning page. Included is a quick glance at mileage between the most convenient and popular resupply options, and an easy way to print out package labels. From which direction to travel, navigation and safety resources, and a comprehensive resupply chart, this guide provides a solid foundation for planning a cdt trip. Apr 05, 2011 even the most leisurely thruhiker looks like a maniac to the average weekend backpacker. How to thruhike the colorado trail from end to end complete with a detailed and zoomable interactive map of the entire 486 mile long distance trail. Plan where you can get water and be prepared to carry a lot of it if none is available. Drop your pack and sun yourself on that warm slab of rock.
Established by congress in 1978, it spans 3,100 miles between mexico and canada, traverses five states and connects countless communities along the spine of the rocky mountains. Planning a thruhike of the continental divide trail. My first thru hike of the appalachian trail was years ago in 2002. Not surprisingly, it turns out that hiking the colorado trail is a great way to get your peakbagging career started. Quantity, coverage, snodas, modis, historical and multiyear comparisons.
Grizby and bethany complete a thruhike of the continental. I may do that in the future, but with over 800 photos, that will be a pretty timeconsuming walk down memory lane. Today we will get to know better this third stunning us thru hike, which is not only one of the best thru hikes in the us, but also one of the most beautiful thru hikes in the world. Planning a great divide trail thruhike has been a wild ride thus far. Get the lastest snow conditions for your favorite trail. Someday, a courageous backpacker will thruhike the cdt during winter. The continental divide trail cdt hike planner is designed to help you dynamically create a realistic hiking plan. For the cdt i purchased yogis guide to the continental divide trail. Best backpacking gear of 2020 cleverhiker gear guide. The gdt is a whole different animal, thats for sure. With detailed maps covering thousands of miles of trail routes and over 10,000 waypoint details, it is the app of choice for hikers on the appalachian trail, pacific crest trail and continental divide trail. The continental divide trail society is the hikers organization, where you can order maps and the cdts guidebooks, compiled by jim wolf and other society members. Whiteblaze thru hike planning spreadsheet, 15 mile plan.
Cdt planning guide continental divide trail coalition. Guthook guides is one of the best hiking apps for thruhikers. Detailed gear lists for regular season thruhikes of the pacific crest and continental divide trails, and a fall thru hike of the appalachian trail. Most aspiring thruhikers of the cdt have a few key concerns. This tool negates hours of effort in creating an accurate plan. The continental divide national scenic trail is a 3,100mile 4,989kilometer hiking trail that passes from the border of mexico to canada through the rocky mountains. For those looking to do a thru hike of the cdt with a pet dog i encourage you to find alternative routes that will take you around any areas where dogs are prohibited. Its difficult to complete the official 3,100mile trail in one swift thruhike, so instead most people will find cutoffs or explore some challenging terrain through the exceptional areas.
Tips for an appalachian trail thruhike plan to be spontaneous. Track segments detail only the main official andor ley route of the trail, and do not describe alternate routes that may deviate from this main. A quick and dirty cdt guide posted on december 17, 20 april 16, 2020 author paul mags 33 comments the continental divide trail is the last of the big three trails that most thru hikers tackle as part of the triple crown of longdistance hiking. Continental divide trail thru hike 2018 31 episode video. Oboz everything you need to know to plan a thruhike. The mission of the continental divide trail society is to help in the planning, development, and maintenance of the cdt as a silent trail and to assist users plan and enjoy their experiences along the route.
A quick overview of the continental divide trail for planning purposes. Take a week long backpacking trip and see what works for you or read one of the thousands of hiking journals trail journals, postholer out there for the trail you want to. Today we will get to know better this third stunning us thruhike, which is not only one of the best thruhikes in the us, but also one of the most beautiful thruhikes in the world. This is a guide to thruhiking the 3,000mile continental divide trail, complete with an interactive map and sectional breakdown. 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. The mailing labels page has a wealth of information for planning a thruhike or sectionhike of the appalachian trail. Camping in the park requires a permit as well as a hardsided bear canister. The cdt planning guide is a one stop resource for starting to plan your trip along the cdt. Jan 08, 2014 for those looking to do a thru hike of the cdt with a pet dog i encourage you to find alternative routes that will take you around any areas where dogs are prohibited. Like any tool, a map is only as good as the person using it, so you should make sure you know how to properly read both a trail map and a topographic map before heading out on the trail. Adjusting your plan, lengthing or shorting, is absolutely painless.
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