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What is the CDT? -

The Continental Divide National Scenic Trail is one of the most challenging hiking routes in the United States. It follows the Continental Divide of the Americas along the Rocky Mountains and traverses five US states—Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, Colorado, and New Mexico.

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Chihuahuan Desert, New Mexico -

The southern end point of the Continental Divide Trail (CDT) can be found in the bootheel of New Mexico, at a place called Crazy Cook Monument on the Mexican border. Starting in the south avoids the deep snow still clinging to the mountains in Montana during the spring. Beware, however: much of the CDT route in New Mexico traverses desert and dry mountains, making finding drinking water a challenge for hikers.

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Gila National Forest, New Mexico -

The CDT passes through the Gila National Forest. It's here that seasoned hikers often follow an alternate route through the Gila Wilderness rather than following the official CDT.

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El Malpais National Monument, New Mexico -

Further north and back on track, the trail snakes through the El Malpais National Monument and past expansive lava fields formed about 10,000 to 3,000 years ago.

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Cibola National Forest, New Mexico -

Cibola National Forest encloses Mount Taylor, at 11,305 ft (3,446 m) the highest point on the CDT in New Mexico. Most thru-hikers summit this peak as a matter of pride.

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Santa Fe National Forest, New Mexico -

Continuing, the CDT twists and turns through the Santa Fe National Forest, within which lies the stark Pecos Wilderness and dramatic Jemez Mountains.

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Carson National Forest, New Mexico -

Further still, the trail reaches Carson National Forest and the Chama River Canyon Wilderness. The village of Chama serves as a resupply center for those treading north and the long and difficult hike through the San Juan Mountains of southern Colorado.

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Rio Grande National Forest, Colorado -

The CDT in Colorado is dominated by the sharp, tall spine of the Rockies. Here you can explore the headwaters of the Rio Grande in the suitably named Rio Grande National Forest.

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Arapahoe National Forest, Colorado -

Colorado is home to Gray's Peak, at 14,278 ft (4,352 m) the highest point on the Continental Divide. The mountain is located in Arapahoe National Forest, which is on the CDT and an irresistible detour for those with stout legs. 

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Uncompahgre National Forest, Colorado -

The Colorado section of the CDT presents the hiker with some of the toughest and most isolated sections of the CDT. Uncompahgre National Forest includes the northern portion of the San Juan Mountains, where the 14,021-ft (4,274-m) Wetterhorn Peak is considered a high-quality advanced climb.

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Gunnison National Forest, Colorado -

Bordering Uncompahgre to the west is Gunnison National Forest, which contains seven officially designated wilderness areas. The CDT traverses the Collegiate Peaks Wilderness, an alpine highlight with its dramatic, rugged vistas.

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White River National Forest, Colorado -

In fact, the landscape takes on a considerably more alpine perspective the further north you tread. The White River National Forest, named for the White River that passes through its northern section, is the most visited National Forest in the United States. If not being explored in the summer via the CDT, it's being tested by skiers in winter on any one of 12 ski areas within its boundaries.

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Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado -

At the top end of Colorado is the Rocky Mountain National Park, which boasts jaw-dropping views of glacial lakes, deep rounded valleys, and sharp, snow-capped summits. The CDT passes through a corner of the park.

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Medicine Bow and Routt National Forest, Colorado -

Medicine Bow and Routt National Forest straddles the Colorado-Wyoming border and marks the point where the CDT descends northwards from the lofty peaks of the Centennial State.

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Medicine Bow and Routt National Forest, Wyoming -

Tired legs earn some respite as the CDT passes through a long, flat section of Medicine Bow and Routt National Forest before the trail reaches the Great Divide Basin, an area of land in Wyoming's Red Desert.

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Great Divide Basin/Red Desert, Wyoming -

For more than 100 miles (160 km), the Continental Divide Trail runs through the Red Desert, a wild and barren landscape where any rainfall is soaked up by a thirsty earth. There are no rivers or lakes here, so make sure you have enough reserves of drinking water before attempting this section of the trail.

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Bridger–Teton National Forest, Wyoming -

Eventually the CDT climbs out the desert to meet the mountains of the Wind River Range in Bridger–Teton National Forest. This stunning wilderness is simply awesome and is often voted by hikers as their favorite section of the CDT.

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Cirque of the Towers, Wyoming -

The Continental Divide spans the crest of the main peaks known as Cirque of the Towers. While hikers following the trail are treated to one of Wyoming's great natural wonders, the cirque is also a very popular destination for technical rock climbers.

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Shoshone National Forest, Wyoming -

The Cirque of Towers can also be admired further north, from Shoshone National Forest. Created in 1891, Shoshone is one of the first nationally protected land areas anywhere. There are four wilderness areas within the forest, each featuring a rich biodiversity rarely matched in any protected area.

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Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming -

For many, reaching Yellowstone National Park is the reason for following the Wyoming section of the CDT in the first place. The first national park in the US (established in 1872) and widely held to be the first national park in the world, Yellowstone is famed for its bubbling, burping volcanic landscape. The CDT passes directly by the nation's favorite geyser, Old Faithful.

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Salmon–Challis National Forest, Idaho/Montana -

Northbound thru-hikers can high-five upon reaching the Idaho/Montana state line. The trail closely follows the border of Idaho and Montana, which is also the Continental Divide. They are first greeted by the Centennial Mountains and, later, Salmon–Challis National Forest, where Mount Borah, the tallest peak, is found.

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Lemhi Pass, Idaho/Montana -

Hikers who know their history will recognize the significance of traversing the Lemhi Pass. In the 18th century, the Lemhi Shoshone people used the route to travel between the two main areas of their homeland. On August 12, 1805, Meriwether Lewis and three other members of the Lewis and Clark Expedition crossed the Continental Divide at Lemhi Pass. The historic gap is situated in the CDT within the Salmon–Challis National Forest.

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Beaverhead–Deerlodge National Forest, Montana -

Venturing further keeps hikers in the Lemhi Pass but eventually directs them into Beaverhead–Deerlodge National Forest, the largest of Montana's national forests.

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Lewis and Clark National Forest, Montana -

Lewis and Clark National Forest, named for the pioneering 19th-century explorers Meriwether Lewis and William Clark, is comprised of island mountain ranges bisected by the Continental Divide and Missouri River. The pair led their groundbreaking 1804-1806 expedition through these lands and waterways, much of it little changed since their day.

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Flathead National Forest, Montana -

Named after the indigenous Flathead Native Americans who live in the area, this forest can boast 2,800 miles (4,500 km) of hiking trails, many of which serve as tributaries of the CDT.

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Great Bear Wilderness, Montana -

The wilderness areas in Flathead National Forest include the Bob Marshall Wilderness Area (named after the co-founder of the Wilderness Society) and Great Bear Wilderness. The dramatic Great Northern Mountain and Stanton Glacier fall within the Great Bear boundaries.

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Bob Marshall Wilderness, Montana -

Hikers this far north are also treated to another incredible natural wonder, the Chinese Wall. This spectacular escarpment set in the Bob Marshal Wilderness is one of the most compelling geological segments of the Continental Divide.

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Glacier National Park, Montana -

The 3,100-mile (4,988-km) Continental Divide Trail ends in Glacier National Park. In fact, it officially terminates in the village of Waterton Park, four miles (6.5 km) inside Canada.

Sources: (Continental Divide Trail Coalition) (National Park Service) (National Forest Foundation) 

See also: United States-Canada: test your knowledge of the longest international border in the world

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