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The Continental Divide Trail (CDT) is the longest and least-traveled of America's trio of long-distance trails.
It connects Mexico to Canada via a 3,100 mile / 4,898 km footpath following the Continental Divide across the United States.
Thru-hikers, those hiking the entire trail, pass through five states: New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming, Idaho, and Montana. Every year, would-be thru-hikers begin at one border or the other (usually in the south) to hunt for border-to-border glory and more importantly, for themselves (or at least their spirit animal).
This page is dedicated to helping everyone curious about what awaits them (or their “crazy friend/relative”) on the CDT. If you have any questions, get in touch.
- Location: New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming, Idaho, Montana (USA), Alberta (Canada)
- Length: 3,100 mi / 4,989 km
- Time Zone: Mountain Time (UTC-7)
- Southern Terminus: Crazy Cook Monument, New Mexico
- Northern Terminus: Waterton, Alberta
- Highest Point: Grays Peak (Colorado) 14,270 ft / 4,350 m
- Lowest Point: Waterton Lake (Montana) 4,200 ft / 1,280 m
- Elevation Change: 917,470 ft / 279,645 m
- Use: Pedestrian & Equestrian
- Drinking Age: 21 (unenforced)
- Drinking In Public: Go for it!
- Drinking Tap Water: At your own discretion
- Flushing Toilet Paper: Pack it out!
I know, lots of white dudes. Such diversity.
- The Continental Divide Trail Gear Guide
- The Continental Divide Trail Thru-Hiker Survey
- The Continental Divide Trail Resupply Guide
- The Continental Divide Trail in Four Minutes [VIDEO]
Continental Divide Trail Survey
- The Continental Divide Trail Thru-Hiker Survey
- CDT Survey: The Gear Guide
- CDT Survey: The Resupply Guide
- CDT Survey: Horror & Heartbreak
- CDT Survey: Advice For The Future
Continental Divide Trail Gear
- Continental Divide Trail Gear List (Post-Trail)
- Continental Divide Trail Gear List
- 2018 CDT Gear Guide
- 2017 CDT Gear Guide
- Darn Tough Socks Review
- Western Mountaineering Versalite Sleeping Bag Review
- Big Agnes Copper Spur 2 Platinum Tent Review
- Montbell Plasma 1000 Alpine Down Parka Review
- Montbell Torrent Flier Jacket Review
- Montbell Tachyon Jacket Review
- Hyperlite Mountain Gear 3400 Southwest Review
- Katadyn BeFree Water Filter Review
- Guthook Guides (Atlas Guides) CDT App
Continental Divide Trail Posts
- I’m Never Thru-hiking Again
- What Is The Continental Divide Trail?
- The Continental Divide Trail: Three Months Out
- Countdown To The Continental Divide Trail
- I’m Afraid Of The Dark
- Getting To The CDT Southern Terminus
- Caching Water In The New Mexico Bootheel
- The Continental Divide Trail in Four Minutes [VIDEO]
- 17 Movies To Watch Before Hiking The Continental Divide Trail
- Day 1: The Middle of Nowhere
- Week 1: The Bootheel
- Week 2: The Gila
- Week 3: We Got A Dog
- Week 4: One Month In
- Week 5: Don't Die
- Week 6: The San Juans
- Week 7: Big Decisions
- Week 8: Three Is Company
- Week 9: Moist Is Dead?
- Week 10: Shortcuts to Town
- Week 11: Farewell Moisture
- Week 12: Wyoming!
- Week 13: The Winds
- Week 14: Montana
- Week 15: TBA
- Week 16: TBA
- Week 17: TBA
New Mexico
- New Mexico: Bootheel Photo Gallery
- New Mexico: Water Sources Photo Gallery
- New Mexico: The Gila Photo Gallery
- New Mexico Photo Gallery
Colorado
Past Continental Divide Trail Surveys
- 2018 CDT Hiker Survey
- 2018 CDT Gear Guide
- 2018 CDT Resupply Guide
- 2018 CDT Horror & Heartbreak
- 2018 CDT Advice
- 2017 CDT Hiker Survey
- 2017 CDT Gear Guide
I've tried to make this as accessible and straightforward as possible because I remember what a hassle it was to find information about the Continental Divide Trail before my thru-hike.
If you have any suggestions on how this page can be improved, questions about the Continental Divide Trail, or requests for future posts, then contact me and let me know!
