Suspension seatposts, good handlebar grips, and front-suspension forks help smooth out the many miles of washboarded and chuckholed roads. Heading into New Mexico, the road surface deteriorates, with much more rocky riding. We've added on to this scenic route to lengthen the trip and include a secluded beach camp site where travelers may escape the desert heat. From Butte to Pinedale, Wyoming, you'll be riding through wide-open mountain valleys. The Brute: The Dalton Highway, Alaska. Helena, MT to Colter Bay, WY (449.6 mi. Be sure to contact local park rangers for more information on what to do around bears and large cats.This track is not passable during many portions of the year and we recommend going from mid June up until the first snow of the year.. Flora includes the unique Joshua Tree which appears as something out of a doctor Seuss book, yucca plants, cacti, creosote, and other plants typical of the desert southwest. The trail includes large sand washes, dry lake beds, heavy silt, steep ascents and descents, and cross-axle hills requiring low-range and careful tire placement. Cold cervesas await on the other side. Official and accurate trail trace from the Continental Divide Trail Coalition. They now feature shaded relief, consolidated narratives that may be cut off and carried separate from the maps, a UTM and lat/long grid, point to point mileages and the often requested south to … Taylor Ranger District within the Cibola National Forest in New Mexico. High-country snowpack may prevent certain portions from being passable until then, anyway. This area is native to grizzly bear, elk, moose, mountain lion, thick woods, and has some difficult climbing. Rawlins, Wyoming, marks the end of the desert. If you are in the mood to cross borders, the town of Boquillas is just down the road. Townspeople are right out of Old Mexico, with Spanish spoken more than English. The Trans-America Trail was founded by passionate dual-sport motorcycle rider Sam Correro, who spent 12 years working to bring the trail to fruition. The Overland Trail was used steadily between 1860 and 1869 until the First Transcontinental Railroad made the stage line obsolete. National Geographic: Continental Divide Trail in gift box Wall Map (18 x 48 inches) (National Geographic Reference Map) by National Geographic Maps | Dec 20, 2017. You should also carry bear repellent, available at sporting goods stores in the larger towns of Canada and Montana, and become familiar with its safe and proper use. The rolling road following the Flathead River is known to locals as “Grizzly Bear Highway” so be very “bear aware.”. Sporadic challenges continue all the way to the border with Mexico. If it has rained recently, you will also need to be careful of the thick mud and deep pits. Continental Divide Trail From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia The Continental Divide National Scenic Trail (in short Continental Divide Trail (CDT)) is a United States National Scenic Trail running 3,100 miles (5,000 km) between Chihuahua and Alberta. Expect early evening thunderstorms and cold nighttime temperatures. Sections MT24 - MT26 Overview. It makes a great planning tool or as reference to track progress on the 3,100 plus mile length. It is also noted for its friendly people. Caution should be used when camping along the loop to avoid attracting large predators. Please be sure to pay the appropriate use fees upon leaving the park. A wide variety of road conditions exists along this route. Fuel stops are rare so take advantage of them when you can. It's a six-mile ride from one trailhead to the other that would require more than 200 miles of driving if you had to do it in a car on roads! Share. It is good to have some back-country camping experience before riding the Great Divide to know how to minimally impact the land. The route is near or goes through several national parks such as Glacier, Yellowstone, and Grand Teton. The ascents on the route stretch out to long mountainous climbs at elevations starting at 8,000 feet or above. However, some of the toughest climbs are in Montana and New Mexico because of the steepness and the poor road quality. We also upped the scale to show greater detail aiding your navigation, especially helpful on many of the lesser known roads and trails this route showcases. Proper precautions should be taken for this trip including sat comms or a spot device, medical kits, spare tire, and recovery gear. Getting up and riding early to avoid the afternoon thundershowers is advisable. Snow, hail, and afternoon thundershowers can be a factor. Colorado. The elevations encountered on Great Divide Canada are relatively low when compared to those along the Great Divide route in the central Rockies of the United States, where riders must tackle mountain passes of nearly 12,000 feet above sea level. Showers, flush toilets, drinking water, and laundromats are sometimes widely spaced. This route can be ridden anytime from early summer to mid-fall. He had hoped to see a river flowing toward the Pacific Ocean. The printable Continental Divide Trail maps and segment guides are provided below as a free community service by TRAILSOURCE.COM to all prospective CDT thru-hikers. Slightly more civilized than other trails on the list, the Dalton … Even the hardiest riders have to walk this one. Continental Divide Trail Pocket Maps - New Mexico. Paradoxically, the route feels somewhat more settled, or civilized, than many sections to the south in the United States. Untitled layer. With the exception of the Great Basin in Wyoming, you will be either gaining elevation, or descending, for the entire route. Nearly 2,100 miles of the route is composed of county, Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management (BLM), and Canadian provincial unpaved roads. The Continental Divide Trail spans 3,100 miles across 5 states between Mexico and Canada. Store all food, garbage, and other attractants in a bear-resistant manner, well away from your tent. Scenic vistas, mountain passes, clear flowing streams, and varied wildlife are abundant along this route and every corner will reveal a new surprise. This year’s journey proved just as challenging, in different ways. Soon after crossing it, you get to see firsthand what kind of scars mining can leave on the land as you pass right through a federal Superfund site. A spot device or sat phone is recommended. The Continental Divide National Scenic Trail is a registered National Scenic Trail that runs from Canada to Mexico through the states o… Sections MT24 - MT26 Meta-Data. Monument Valley Loop from home, Hema Map Patrol MAP001 - Continental Divide, Hema Explorer - Map Patrol Cherry-Williams, Hema Explorer - Map Patrol Big Bend National Park, Hema Explorer - Map Patrol Central Arizona Traverse. The high point on Great Divide Canada, Elk Pass, is a mere 6,443 feet. This is the largest preserved section of chihuahuan desert in the United States, so be on the lookout for more than 1,200 species of plants, 450 species of birds, 56 species of reptiles, and 75 species of mammals. Weighting a suspension fork with panniers works well, evens the weighting of the bike, and adds little extra stress to the fork. Enchanted Rockies Trail - Lifestyle Overland’s route that takes you along 800 miles of unpaved routes through New Mexico and Colorado.. Colorado Backcountry Discovery Route - 675 miles through some of the most mountainous trails in Colorado, starting at the Four Corners and winding up to Wyoming.. Great Continental Divide Ride - A total of 2,767 miles from Canada to Mexico. I have friends who have done the whole thing as part of their quest to do the Triple Crown of hiking; the Appalachian Trail, the Pacific Crest Trail, and the Continental Divide Trail. National Geographic: Continental Divide Trail in gift box Wall Map (18 x 48 inches) (National Geographic Reference Map) by National Geographic Maps. Fauna and flora are both diverse and are congruent with desert and high desert environments. Also be aware that showers, flush toilets, potable water, and laundromats can be few and far between. The trail concludes on a paved park road just opposite the canyon. So in 1984, he set off to create an off-pavement, cross-country trail of epic proportions. The road gets bumpy from here and slowly leads up into the mountains. A high-quality water filter is mandatory; advisably, carry one filter per person in your party. We recommend two to three days to fully appreciate the track and enjoy the views and towns along the way.The drive begins In the high plains with long views, grass, and shrubbery. Climbs get shorter and steeper. Conifer, pine, and deciduous trees, wildflowers, shrubs, mushrooms, mosses, and lichens all have a strong presence in the area. Continental Divide Trail Pocket Maps - Montana/Idaho; Montana & Idaho2nd Edition - November 5, 2017 - Major Updates for 2018The Continental Divide Trail Pocket Map Series is a current, complete and concise set of topographic maps created with digitized base maps covering every step of the 3,062 mile trail from Mexico to Canada. The main route continues south out of Sparwood onto the Elk Valley Trail beginning in the tiny community of  Round Prairie all the way to Elko. From Salida, Colorado south to the Mexico border, puncturevine or goat’s-head (Tribulus terrestris L.) is an invasive plant species that produces thumbtack-like burs capable of puncturing bicycle tires. Fauna include many species of bird, fish, goat, large cat, and of course bears. They tend to be extremely small and often have limited services. In modern times, the official route of the Continental Divide Trail uses Bridger Pass Road to Navigate the Great Divide Basin between Battle Pass on Wyoming Highway 70 to Rawlins, Wyoming. Geographically this region is as remote as any place in the continental United States. Click this link Learn More for more information! From there it is a sprint south (mostly on pavement) to the border crossing, which consists of one building on the border and nothing else for miles and miles. About one third of the overnights are characterized as undeveloped wilderness sites, and most others are Forest Service sites with pit toilets and a water source. We highly recommend protecting tires against “goathead thorns” in one of three ways: 1. Flora includes the unique Joshua Tree which appears as something out of a doctor Seuss book, yucca plants, cacti, creosote, and other plants typical of the desert southwest. It runs through a scenic drainage called the “Serengeti of North America” by biologists for its unrivaled wildlife populations, and it’s the last major valley in British Columbia to be completely undeveloped. From southern Wyoming to northern New Mexico, you'll be in the Colorado Rockies. As a rule, if you're not riding uphill, then you're headed downhill. Because June is typically a wet month in the northern Rockies, and often a cold one at the higher elevations, we recommend that you do not attempt to ride prior to late June or early July. The Westside Overland trail offers any cross-country rider plenty of excitement and challenges. Water is very scarce through here, so carry plenty. Temperatures tend to be chilly at night and cool to warm in the days as you are in mountainous regions most of the way. The paved Legacy Trail brings riders into Banff and through spectacular scenery to Peter Lougheed Provincial Park. The trail includes large sand washes, dry lake beds, heavy silt, steep ascents and descents, and cross-axle hills requiring low-range and careful tire placement. The vegetation thins out into valleys with many different varieties of sage and high-elevation alpine woods. We suggest you download the Hema Explorer app and Cloud GPS track, as well as source detailed paper maps as an analog backup. ), 6. If you're in need of a shuttle to complete your Great Divide trip, download our Great Divide Shuttle Options (pdf) for suggestions. From there, it's a seven-mile ride on the highway to the international border and the northern terminus the U.S. route. In the central and northern portions of the park, grand views of valleys, cliffs, and plateaus greet you around every bend. Wall Maps Print out your favorite trail to 6 feet high. Its remoteness equates with spectacular terrain and scenery. You leave Montana crossing the divide into Idaho. Coming down the east side of the Gila Wilderness is a welcome relief, with water once again available as you head into Silver City, New Mexico, a place noted for learning about Anasazi culture with the Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument north of town and a good museum at the local university. The trail came to prominence in the late 1800's when miners came in search of silver, gold, and ore. Many city parks are free to camp in. This map was created by a user. Things to Think About. It's wise to have some back-country camping experience before riding Great Divide Canada, and you'll also want to know the recommended precautions to take when camping and traveling in bear country. 5.0 out of 5 stars 13. The trees eventually give way to plains and cattle with long open views. Wind really isn't a factor along the route because you spend a lot of time in the cover of trees, with the exception of the Great Basin area. 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. Driving the Continental Divide, NM. Sam wanted to share his passion for off-road exploration. When you reach the top of the range a paved road will take you down to the town of Jerome where we highly recommends topping for a bite to eat and looking around. They now feature shaded relief, consolidated narratives that may be cut off and carried separate from the maps, a UTM and lat/long grid, point to point mileages and the often requested south to north narratives. You'll need to deal with a couple of long stretches without basic services. Fred J. Cusimano Westside Overland Trail. Roads are impassable until they dry out. The International Continental Divide Adventure Route is designed to be a self-guided adventure. The Mojave Road traverses 140 miles of the Mojave National Preserve. Developed by the former CDT organization and Jerry Brown of Bear Creek Survey, these map guides reflect the most current line data for the CDNST available. Placemark 1. Last year, the 1600 miles of the RawHyde/Exploring Overland Continental Divide trip proved to be a challenge for the participating vehicles (report here ). Heavy snow year, high-elevation roads in the Colorado Rockies EVT consists of country... 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