If you know of any sources for the below deaths or have any that may need to be added to the list, please let me know in the comments. Either way, best to sign up for my newsletter, yeah? Perhaps a more accurate description is that 30% of the CDT is on either a dirt or paved road. gpsKevin Adventure Rides - Pacific Divide Route At the time this post is being updated (as I update it whenever news comes in), the number stands at 15. If youre not into Patreon, thats cool, you can instead Venmo @halfwayanywhere, Cash app $halfwayanywhere, or PayPal [emailprotected]. Sleeping Bag or Quilt. Minneapolis man died of unknown causes on Continental Divide Trail State Land Office, BLM New Mexico Announce Partnership To Improve Continental Divide Trail Access; Scammers Posing As BeWellnm Representatives; Latest e-Edition If you know you want to complete a thru-hike, but aren't sold on which Triple Crown trail to hike, this article is for you. Skills Required Hiking, Walking Finishes at Montana, USA Length of route 4989 Km Average time to complete 120 - 150 Days Possible to complete sub-sections Yes. The establishment of the Appalachian Trail and the Pacific Crest Trail inspired proposals to create a Continental Divide trail. [21], The official route of the CDT in New Mexico is 794.5 miles (1,278.6km) long,[1] although many alternate routes shorten or lengthen that distance. Another recommendation: For most of us, driving through the high lonesome on the continental divide will be a one-time thing, in other words a trip of a lifetime. Keep in mind, that when looking at the map, only 70% of the actual trail routing is . Minneapolis program teaches kids cooking skills, emphasizes community. The Triple Crown of hiking is a thru-hike trifecta that includes the three most prominent long trails of the United States - the Appalachian Trail (AT), the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) and the Continental Divide Trail (CDT). Hiker Kiana Van Zanten met Alex on the trail and admired the way he approached hiking "really taking the time to enjoy nature and the trail, leaving no trace, taking the time to befriend other hikers even if you're not sure you'll see them again, willing to go on fun side adventures and not just be so focused on staying the line.". Minneapolis mansion with mural by highly sought-after 1920s portrait artist lists for $1.295 million, Pickup driver strays over center line south of Prior Lake, hits SUV and kills other motorist, Active Chefs program equipping kids to cook healthy foods, Roseville, nonprofit will partner to add mental health outreach worker, Red Wing lures downtown residents with new developments. The route follows the western mountains known as the Cascade Range and the Sierra Nevada Range. There are relatively few deaths on PCT thru-hikes, considering the number of hikers, and the main causes of death are heat exhaustion, falls . [22], The Rocky Mountains of Colorado terminate in southern Wyoming and the CDT passes through a through a long section of desert range-land in the middle of the state, known as the Great Divide Basin. Yokohama, thinking that 2,700 miles of all types of trails, roads, and highways would prove to be an excellent test, provided us with tires and fuel for all four vehicles; a set each of G003 for the 2013 Jeep Wrangler and 1999 Jeep Cherokee and a set each of the X-MT design for the 1974 Toyota and 2005 Jeep Wrangler. The Great Continental Divide Adventure Route is a scenic route that slices through several national parks, four or five states (depending on which route is chosen), crisscrosses the divide several times, and consists of pavement, gravel, dirt, and rocky roads. The Continental Divide Trail Coalition (CDTC) recognizes anyone who reports completion of the entire Continental Divide National Scenic Trail. Hopefully, none of this happens during your (or your loved ones) hike, but its possible. The vehicles ran the gamut from a 5-year-old Jeep to a 45-year-old Toyota FJ40, with two more Jeeps (a Cherokee and a Wrangler) in betweenquite an eclectic selection of four wheelersand four camping trailers. Resorted to drinking out of a disgusting cattle pond. Got, Two different situations of people (non-thru hikers) with, I was on the Big Sky Cutoff and getting closer to Butte, Montana. After George Floyd's murder, he volunteered at a Minneapolis food shelf, eventually becoming a staffer. [22] and the highest elevation in Wyoming is 11,115 feet (3,388m) at Lester Pass in the Bridger Wilderness of the Wind River Range. Murder charges: 'Who else want it?' The road is open to traffic and is extremely narrow in some sections. [], CDTC, New Mexico Land Office, BLM Announce Partnership to Improve & Protect CDT Access, CDTC Applauds Important Milestone for the Bipartisan CDT Completion Act. Hiking The Continental Divide Trail > Peaches (off trail) The average base weight of a thru-hiker's backpack in 2018 was 16.4lb (7.4kg). Has anyone died on the Pacific Crest Trail? The Continental Divide in Southwest Montana While the ride follows through the spectacular mountains . I had to get off the road and climb over blowdowns to get around him. They have a variety of newsletters, forums, events and updates on . T he Triple Crown trails (the Appalachian Trail, Pacific Crest Trail, and Continental Divide Trail) offer nearly 8,000 miles of some of the best hiking in the world. Border-to-Border Adventure: Jeeping Across the Continental Divide Emergency personnel was unable to revive him (source), FALL | Ray No Way Ray Echols | May 15, 2006 | Near Deep Creek in the San Bernardino National Forest (California), Ray Echols lost his footing and fell approximately 200 feet to his death (source), UNKNOWN | John Donovan | May 2005 | John Donovan died after becoming lost on Southern Californias Mt. In most areas the CDT is well marked. Most deaths from disease occurred east of Fort Laramie. This beautifully produced volume makes accessible the highest and most remote . 22 hours and 51 minutes and was set in 2016 by Mike Hall (see Trail Notes for a full list of records). ALDHA-West recognizes those individuals who have hiked, in their entirety, the complete lengths of the Appalachian Trail (AT), The Continental Divide Trail (CDT), and the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT). Map of the Continental Divide in North America By Yellowstone Volcano Observatory March 2022 (approx.) In the end, I didnt have the heart to finish so alone I was out there for the community and when I couldnt have that, In Colorado attempting to do five passes in a day. Camping alone when Id flipped up to Idaho/Southern Montana away from the bubble because I was trying to finish to go back to school. . 1.2K. WARNING! Read More. At the time we were unaware that wed be meeting hikers, mountain bikers, and dual-sport motorcyclists along the route, along with some fantastic folks living in the small mountain towns through which wed be driving. The CDT is now 95 percent complete. Not interested in any of this and dont know why youre still reading? Took a three month road trip last summer. The Continental Divide Trail: America's most remote long trail - MSN As I mentioned earlier, along this trail youll meet hikers, motorcycle riders, and mountain bikers (amazingly, the mountain bike record for the 2,700-mile border-to-border route is a mere two weeks!). Forest fires often result in parts of the trail being closed and the hiker must take alternative routes. The Continental Divide Trail (CDT) is a long-distance trail that runs from the Canadian border to the Mexican border. Ashland Ski Lodge (Oregon), Phillip Crosby was crushed by a tree that fell on his tent in strong wind (source), FALL | 20-year-old male | August 20, 2013 | A man free-climbing a rock face with friends near the PCT in Yakima County (Washington) fell to his death (source), HYPOTHERMIA | Karen Tellez | December 7, 1997 | A woman out hiking became separated from her group and died of suspected hypothermia near the PCT near Pine Canyon Road in Southern California (source), SUICIDE | Douglas Cracker | October 29, 1988 | A hiker on the PCT discovered the body of Douglas Cracker, who died of a self-inflicted gunshot to the head, half a mile north of Highway 62 in Crater Lake National Park (source). Oh my that is so sad. Officially . There was a 40% increase in deaths over normal among the 18-44 age group in the US among in Fall 2021, according to insurance companies, with Lincoln Life Insurance paying out in death benefits 163% more in 2021 than 2020. Long water carry out of Lincoln, Montana with eight days of food on ridges. Reply. The combined elevation gain of all the ' Hiking Triple Crown ' is more than climbing Mt Everest 41 times. Continental divide - Wikipedia A man in a pickup blocked the road I was walking in Northern New Mexico. ALSO SEE: Yokohama Geolandar X-MT Tire Review. But Alex stood in the downpour, tending the fire, "having the best time in the rain." ", "Good time to take inventory on gear - and yourself", "Francis Tapon: The first person to yo-yo Americas wildest trail talks heating, eating and the philosophy of lightweight", "2007 Adventurer of the Year: The Walking Man", "Salem 13-Year-Old Youngest to Hike Triple Crown", "Ore. The youngest person to thru-hike the trail is Reed Gjonnes, who hiked the trail with her father Eric Gjonnes from April 15, 2013 to September 6, 2013 in one continuous northbound hike at age 13.[18][19]. You must walk a total of nearly 8,000 miles across 22 states with one . Trail Ridge Road is the highest continuous paved road in the USA You've made it this far, you're either into this site or you're still looking for something. Next spring, she plans to hike the Arizona National Scenic Trail from the border with Mexico to . Kathryn Miles Jun 5, 2019 Lester Pass. We were following a trail suitable for motorized travel, and, because of the routes length, we were towing camping trailers. [3] Thru-hikers increased from four in 1999 to more than 150 in 2019, and uncounted thousands hiked sections of the trail every year. It traverses a multitude of biospheres, from tundra to high desert, with a vast variety of flora and fauna, including several . So if you ever see a headline something like, Hiker deaths on the PCT jump 200% in the National Scenic Trails deadliest year ever!, know that this means ten people died doing something inherently dangerous (aka its clickbait). But also know that youll probably die out there. "The Continental Divide Trail provides an unmatched outdoor experience for Montanans and visitors alike," Daines said. North Fork of Sheep Creek. Portions of the trail already existed and a few hikers claimed to have walked from Mexico to Canada on the informal trail,[3] among them Jim Wolf, A Baltimore lawyer who had hiked the Appalachian Trail in 1971, and whose account of that journey appears in the two-volume book, Hiking the Appalachian Trail. And thats it! The International Continental Divide Adventure Route is designed to be a self-guided adventure.This route can be navigated entirely by GPS. Either way, best to sign up for my newsletter, yeah? Hikers must decide on a route through the Great Divide Basin as the actual Continental Divide forks, forming an endorheic basin. Jump in and jump out at the various interstates as your free time dictates. The Continental Divide Trail blazes a path through some of the nation's most treasured scenic terrain. 800-715-HIKE (4453) (9-4:30 Every Day) . Grizzly bears become a possible danger from the Wind River Range northward, especially in and near Yellowstone Park. We want to hear from you about your journey. Over the years, there have been a number of deaths on the Pacific Crest Trail. Myth #4: The Idaho-Montana border is full of PUDs. It was a long night. Daines Introduces Bipartisan Legislation to Complete the Continental The park was voted second among favorite sections of the CDT by hikers in 2019. His body was found just below the summit (source), FALL | Laurie Choate | September 5, 2018 | Laurie Choate, died in a fall hiking the Kendall Katwalk (Washington). Though the Internet is now an invaluable resource for hikers, and a number of other authors have created their own guide books, Yogi's Continental Divide Trail Handbook still stands as one of the best resources for CDT thru-hikers. The woman was pronounced dead at the scene (source), FALL | Wayne Paul Pferdehirt | August 26, 2019 | Wayne Paul Pferdehirt (67), died in a fall near Mather Pass (Sierra). He didn't want to be the first to cross the river, he wanted to help everybody else across the river. In 2021, the CDT was about 70 percent complete, with a combination of dedicated trails and dirt and paved roads. "I have to come to terms with the fact that I may never know," said his father, Tom Cahoy of Minneapolis. Amazon; Wilderness Press; hikers. I get a lot of people asking every year how to support the surveys and beyond sharing them with your close-knit bubble of weird hiker friends, the best way to support the survey is to contribute via Patreon. ", When fellow hiker Tim Brugman last saw Alex, a couple of days before he died, he was on "a really sketchy section" of snowy trail called Knife Edge, "walking along with ease.". They may also encounter adverse weather conditions. . The lowest elevation of the trail in New Mexico is 4,189 feet (1,277m) in the town of Lordsburg[22] and the highest elevation in New Mexico is 11,301 feet (3,445m) at the summit of Mount Taylor. In the yearly Continental Divide Trail Hiker Survey, hikers share both their lowest moments on the trail (physically, mentally, emotionally the literal lowest point of the CDT is Waterton Canyon, Montana at 2,972 ft / 906 m), as well as when, if ever, they found themselves in a situation where they felt they were in danger or where they were legitimately afraid. There have been 15 thru-hiker deaths on the PCT. Here are 10 intriguing facts you may not know about the Continental Divide Trail. Continental Divide Trail - Google My Maps The world's longest mountain bike route zigzags 2,490 miles (4,007 kilometers) along the Continental Divide from the Canadian border near Eureka . The CDT crosses Interstate 15 again at an elevation of 6,299 feet (1,920m). Tent stakes didnt go in very well, but it stood up okay. Otter's death on the Continental Divide Trail - besthike.com In 1965, President Lyndon Johnson proposed a national system of trails and in 1968 the U.S. Congress adopted the National Trails System Act. I was night hiking along the road when a local pulled up. MWA staff work to maintain the CDT in Montana and Idaho with the help of volunteers and agency partners. Having thru-hiked the CDT twice herself, as well as numerous other long-distance . The Continental Divide Trail (CDT) spans over 3,100 miles from Mexico to Canada and is one of the most significant trail systems in the world. How Long Does It Take To Hike The Continental Divide Trail For elective surgeries, the death rate was 1.30% among Black men, compared with white men at 0.85%, white women at 0.82%, and Black women at 0.79%. These people are in the . Obviously, we had neither the time nor the funds to explore every alternative route along the divide, but we did sample several of them. The Continental Divide Trail Coalition, P.O. Herman Gulch. The grand finale of the CDT in Wyoming is Yellowstone National Park. We recognize users regardless of sequence, direction, speed, or whether they carry a pack, or any variation of their hike. Hiking the CDT means more than blindly wandering down a path filled with trail angels eager to help hikers on their journey to or from Mexico or Canada. 70% (2,170 miles) of the trail is along land managed by the U.S. Forest Service. The lowest elevation of the trail in Wyoming is 6,522 feet (1,988m) about 12 miles (19km) north of Rawlins. [5] More than 1,000 thru-hikers completed either the AT or PCT in 2019 compared to 150 completing the CDT, a reflection of the isolation and difficulty in hiking the CDT. The 2017 hiking season was plagued by many dangerous river crossings because of the unusually high snowpack from the previous winter (source), DROWNING | Rika Morita | Mid July, 2017 | In Kings Canyon National Park (California), Rika Morita was discovered in the South Fork of the Kings River. It was just going to keep getting colder and colder and I still had a long way to go. The Tour Divide has been raced and completed on both single speed . Continental Divide Trail : New Mexico Nomad We are very excited to offer this new adventure route down the entire length of the west coast of America. The Crazy Cook Monument in New Mexico's bootheel is the most commonly used starting or finishing point of the CDT, but due to its remote location lacks lodging and other services. Fifteen miles (24 km) from the Southern Terminus, the trail was ill-defined and rocks were making me roll my ankle every other step. [22] Timberline along this section of the trail is 8,500 feet (2,600m) to 9,000 feet (2,700m) in elevation. It turns out that the Pacific Crest Trail is a safe place to be (and when the zombies, robots, or aliens finally decide to make their move, Ill bet itll be even safer). The trail represents a monumental conservation effort, stretching 3,100 miles across the United States, from Canada to Mexico. Of course, there may be more death along the PCT than reported, but the reality is that there is little (but dont trust me). If hikers begin too early they may encounter heavy and near impassable snow conditions in the southern San Juan and San Juan Mountains of Colorado, and if the hiker finishes too late they may also encounter heavy snow in Glacier National Park near the Canadian border. borders.] This page was last edited on 10 February 2023, at 23:37. 1 / 8. The Continental Divide Trail is a choose-your-own-adventure Thru-Hike that runs typically between 2500 miles and 3100 miles from the Mexico and New Mexico border to the Montana and Canadian border. Hikers can continue north into Alberta and British Columbia via the Great Divide Trail to Kakwa Lake in Kakwa Provincial Park and Protected Area, B.C., north of Jasper National Park. Since then, she's completed the Appalachian, Continental Divide, and Pacific Crest trails, and is now adding the 6,800-mile American Discovery Trail to her list. Have your own tale of woe from a Continental Divide Trail thru-hike? Trail users enjoy equally . The cause of death is unknown, but hypothermia is suspected (source), FALL | John Lowder | June 1999 | Its thought John Lowder (69), a doctor from San Diego, slipped on some ice crossing New Army Pass in the Sierra and fell approximately 60 ft / 18 m off into a canyon in the Sierra Nevada. If the weather warrants, enjoy its patio. He. The first section of the proposed trail was laid out in Colorado in 1962 by the Rocky Mountain Trails Association. Girl, 13, Youngest to Claim Triple Crown", "Working Together, Continental Divide National Scenic Trail", "Horror & Heartbreak on the Continental Divide Trail (2018 Edition)", "What are the steepest climbs on the AT, PCT, and CDT? M. Biggers, Ashley. Horseback riding is permitted on the trail; mountain biking is only permitted on a few sections. "[2] Distances given are approximate as sections of the trail are uncompleted and the trail is sometimes re-routed. What's the story behind Minneapolis' smaller houses with huge front yards? Great Divide Mountain Bike Route (GDMBR) - BIKEPACKING.com Therefore, you can pretty much do it in or on just about anything with plenty of clearance, good off-road tires, and low gears, but I highly recommend a Jeep with strong off-road tires such as the Yokohama Geolandars. We were going fast because we thought a party member was ahead of us, but once we got there, they were nowhere to be found. You might say we were emulating the explorers of the 1800s but we were in Jeeps towing trailers rather than riding horses tugging pack animals or riding Conestoga or Studebaker wagons. This blue track begins at the Mexican border where New Mexico SR 81 crosses it, and then flows northward through New Mexico, Colorado, Idaho, Wyoming, and Montana (a green line bypasses Idaho and takes you through Yellowstone National Park, which is the route we chose). [2] The CDT follows the Continental Divide of the Americas along the Rocky Mountains and traverses five U.S. states Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, Colorado, and New Mexico. I mentioned a couple of our favorite eateries early on but I would be sorely remiss if I didnt also mention the Caf Jax in Eureka, Montana (very near the Canadian border). He cross-country skied as a small child, joining the Minnesota Youth Ski League when he was 6 or 7. A few hikers, especially those attempting to set speed records, are "supported," meaning they have helpers who meet or accompany them along the trail and perform non-hiking tasks, such as food preparation. Here is a breakdown of what has caused them: Here is a detailed account of each of the deaths noted above (in chronological order from earliest to most recent): HAPE (UNCONFIRMED) | Maddie Magee | May 28, 2022 | Twenty-three-year-old Maddie Magee died near the top of Forester Pass (the high point of the PCT) in Californias Sierra Nevada of (unconfirmed) high altitude pulmonary edema or HAPE (source), FALL | Trevor Laher | March 27, 2020 | Twenty-two-year-old Trevor Laher slipped and fell on snow-covered ice near Apache Peak just outside Idyllwild, California (source), FALLING TREE | Finn Bastian | August 27, 2019 | In Stevenson (Washington), Finn Bastian, a hiker from Germany, died after being hit by a falling tree on the PCT. Kevin has put years of personal effort into developing this route, along with several alternative routes along the way. Continental Divide Scenic Trail - Rockies - Uncover Colorado Grizzly encounter on day four in Glacier National Park (Montana). Founded in 2012 by a passionate group of volunteers and recreationists, CDTC is . The lowest elevation of the trail in Montana after leaving the Idaho/Montana border is 4,215 feet (1,285m) at Upper Waterton Lake which straddles the U.S./Canada border. At various spots along the blue route, Kevin has added alternative green and red tracks. Youll get access to exclusive posts, discount codes, live streams, and super extra cool stickers so that everyone will know how cool you are. Id had enough of hiking alone through Colorado storms and just wanted to hitch back into town, but I didnt because the weather was supposed to improve the next day. Join. . An Appalachian Trail Reading List - The Trek [36], The CDT trail goes east from the Idaho border, circles around the city of Butte, then turns north toward Glacier National Park via the Lewis and Clark National Forest and through three National Wilderness areas. Continental Divide Trail - Wikipedia He called to say he'd received them. The Route covers 5 states: New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming, Idaho and Montana and is a . Famous locations like Santa Fe, Jackson Hole, Leadville, Pikes Peak, Yellowstone National Park, and many other national parks adjacent to the route can be visited while you make your way along Americas spineyou (or your group) should make up your own list. Bike the Great Divide Trail, Multistate, Best American Adventures Outside's long reads email . Our sleeping bags and everything warm we owned was soaked. Continental Divide Trail National Logo Vinyl Decal Promote Sale price Affordable prices Tide flow fashion products hesgoal.name, US $7.76 use a razor to gently lift the decal up along with the transfer tape If the decal is not attached Prepare the sticker for application by firmly/carefully rubbing a squeegee or credit card across the clear . In 2012, the Continental Divide Trail Coalition replaced the CDTA to coordinate the efforts of several regional partners engaged in constructing and maintaining the trail. Rocky Mountain National Park has the highest paved roads in any National Park in the United States. Hikers don't get the luxury of dictating every aspect of their hikes. While the blue tracks werent all that difficult, the green tracks were definitely easiersometimes all pavement. As of the end of the application period in late 2021, 525 hikers have been designated Triple Crowners since 1994 by the American Long Distance Hiking AssociationWest. [17] Olive "Raindance" McGloin, yo-yoed in 2020 becoming the first woman on her second attempt (McGloin also yo-yoed the PCT in 2014). Thru-hikers of the Continental Divide Trail, the Appalachian Trail (AT) and the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) achieve what is known as the Triple Crown of Hiking. As a part of the thru-hiker survey, I also ask hikers, What (if anything) was your lowest moment on the trail? Yes, social media is filled with photos of sunrises, sunsets, and mountain vistas, but not of hikers pooping their pants, crying alone in their tents, or being swarmed by mosquitoes. As GPS units have become both more powerful and easier to use, it has enabled anyone to be able to easily find their way along the trail. He broke one arm, both legs, and suffered a head injury. Continental Divide National Scenic Trail | US Forest Service