The 'Continental Divide National Scenic Trail' (in short 'Continental Divide Trail') is a
United States National Scenic Trail running 3,100 miles (5,000 km) between
Mexico and
Canada. It follows the
Continental Divide along the
Rocky Mountains and traverses five
U.S. states -
Montana,
Idaho,
Wyoming,
Colorado, and
New Mexico. In Montana it crosses
Triple Divide Peak which separates the
Hudson Bay,
Atlantic Ocean and
Pacific Ocean drainages.
As of 2004, the trail, a combination of dedicated trails and small roads, is considered 70% complete. The uncompleted portions of the trail must be traveled by
bushwhacking or
roadwalking.
Only about two dozen people a year attempt to hike the entire trail, taking about six months to complete it.
The Continental Divide Trail along with the
Appalachian Trail and the
Pacific Crest Trail form the
Triple Crown of long distance hiking.
This trail can be continued above the Canadian border to Kakwa Lake north of
Jasper National Park by the
Great Divide Trail, which is so far described only in a few books, and carries no official Canadian status.
See also
★
Colorado Trail - the two trails coincide for about 200 miles
★
Pacific Northwest Trail - Shares a common start/end point with the CDT in Glacier National Park.
External links
★
Continental Divide Trail Alliance website
★
CDT Society website
★
Jonathan Ley's CDT Hike - A hiker's website and top notch mapping resource
★
Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest web site - Describes the northernmost parts of the trail