Continental Divide Trail Guide

The Continental Divide National Scenic Trail provides spectacular backcountry travel the length of the Rocky Mountains from Mexico to Canada. It is the most rugged long-distance National Scenic Trail. Read More »

Continental Divide Trail Highlights

You've either just started out or you're nearing completion of the trail when you cross over Triple Divide Pass in southeast Glacier National Park. At the adjacent Triple Divide Peak, falling rain on either side flows to the Pacific, the Gulf of Mexico, and Hudson Bay.
Sixty rugged miles on the Continental Divide Trail (CDT) thread through one of Montana's most stunning and overlooked wilderness areas, the Anaconda-Pintler between Sula and Phillipsburg. Warren Lake is a scenic, high-country highlight, framed by three 10,000-foot peaks situated approximately 23 miles from where the CDT crosses the wilderness's eastern border.
The CDT enters Wyoming's Jim Bridger Wilderness at Green River Lakes and follows the Highline Trail a distance of 80 miles through the craggy Wind River Range. Ten miles north of the trail's wilderness entrance/exit at Big Sandy, 15 looming 12,000-footers form the consecrated Cirque of the Towers.
Hit the highest point on the CDT at Grays Peak near Denver, between the Vasquez Peak and Holy Cross Wildernesses in the Arapaho National Forest. If possible, arrange to hike this segment on a weekday. The 14,270-foot peak is a milestone for distance hikers, as well as an extremely popular day hike.
The trail is incomplete between the Carson National Forest and the Chama River Canyon Wilderness in New Mexico, but the segment heading south from Skull Bridge northwest of Abiquiu is a wonderland of sandstone cliffs plunging through Ojitos Canyon and approaching the San Pedro Parks Wilderness.

By Travel Expert: Brian Kevin