Континенталдық бөлініс ұлттық жолы: АҚШ-тың көрікті қашықтық саяхат жолы

Long distance scenic trail in the western United States

The Continental Divide National Scenic Trail (in short Continental Divide Trail, CDT) is a United States National Scenic Trail with a length measured by the Continental Divide Trail Coalition of between the U. S. border with Chihuahua, Mexico and the border with Alberta, Canada. Frequent route changes and a large number of alternate routes result in an actual hiking distance of to 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. In Montana near the Canadian border the trail crosses Triple Divide Pass (near Triple Divide Peak, from which waters may flow to either the Arctic Ocean (via Hudson Bay), Atlantic Ocean or Pacific Ocean). In 2021, the CDT was about 70 percent complete, with a combination of dedicated trails and dirt and paved roads. 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. The CDT was described in 2013 by a Triple Crown hiker as "Raw, wild, remote and unfinished; it is a trail that will make use of all the skills of an experienced backpacker. It is also a trail that is beautiful, stunning and perhaps the most rewarding of the major long distance hiking trails." 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. Wolf envisioned a similar trail running along the Continental Divide, and in 1978, he organized the Continental Divide Trail Society, which advocated for the newly designated National Scenic Trail and published several early guidebooks. Progress in completing the trail was slow and interest in hiking the complete trail was minimal. By 1995, only 15 people were recorded as having hiked the whole trail, still largely unfinished. In that same year, the Continental Divide Trail Alliance (CDTA) was created and with volunteers built or improved the route of the trail. 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. 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.

Successfully thru hiking the entire Continental Divide Trail takes an average of five months. The definition of a thru hike is left to the judgment of the hikers. The purists hike a "continuous and unbroken footpath between Mexico and Canada," but about 50 percent of the thru hikers admit to having skipped small sections of road walking or because the trail was closed, mostly due to forest fires or snow. All hikers must replenish their food every few days, often hitchhiking from a road crossing of the trail into a town to buy food and supplies. Most hikers occasionally take a "zero", a day without hiking, or a "nero", a day with little hiking, to rest and recuperate. "Trail angels" (volunteers) at locations along the trail assist hikers with food, water, and transportation to and from resupply points to trail heads. 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. Permits are required to hike or camp along some sections of the trail and a passport is needed to cross the Canadian border. Most thru hikers begin the hike in April in New Mexico, hike northbound, and finish at the Canadian border in August or September. 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 encounter heavy and near impassable snow in Glacier National Park near the Canadian border. A few thru hikers hike southbound (SOBO) from the Canadian border beginning in June and finishing in October or November. They may also encounter adverse weather conditions. A few hikers "flip flop," hiking different sections of the trail when the weather is most favorable rather than sequentially. The most common problems reported by thru hikers are injury and snow. The average base weight of a thru hiker's backpack in 2018 was Added to that, the thru hiker carries up to a one week supply of food weighing about per day and, in drier areas especially New Mexico, up to five liters of water weighing Extra equipment carried might include an ice ax and bear spray. In 1978 three women hiked the entire trail: Nancy Andujar and the team of Jean Ella and Lynne Wisegart. This seven month journey spanned over 5,600 miles. Tapon took the most circuitous, scenic, high, difficult route north and while returning south, took the more expedient route. Andrew Skurka completed the trail as part of the 6,875 mile Great Western Loop in 2007. Olive "Raindance" McGloin, yo yoed in 2020 becoming the first woman on her second attempt (McGloin also yo yoed the PCT in 2014). 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.

The Continental Divide Trail closely follows the Continental Divide, but has a large number of approved alternate routes, some of which are more utilized than the official trail. The trail is incomplete in a few sections, especially in New Mexico, which requires walking on roads. Ninety five percent of the trail is located on public land, including National Parks, National Forests, and land managed by the Bureau of Land Management. There are few facilities along the trail itself, and it is usually necessary for the hiker to leave the trail to resupply or find lodging. Seventy percent (2,170 miles) of the trail is through land managed by the U. S. Forest Service. The Bureau of Land Management manages 12% or 372 miles of the trail, the National Park Service manages 10% or 310 miles, and state and private lands total 8% or 248 miles.

Northbounders leaving Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming enter the Centennial Mountains of Idaho. For the next the trail closely follows the border of Idaho and Montana, which is also the Continental Divide. The lowest elevation of the trail on the Idaho/Montana border is along the North Fork of Sheep Creek in Idaho and the highest elevation is at the summit of Elk Mountain. Elk Mountain. The CDT achieves an elevation of 10091 feet (3076 m), the most northerly place on the trail to reach an elevation of more than 10000 feet (3048 m). North Fork of Sheep Creek. The CDT drops 3000 feet (914 m) from the Continental Divide to the lowest point on the Idaho/Montana trail,
Chief Joseph Pass. Chief Joseph and the Nez Percé people, pursued by the U. S. Cavalry, crossed from Idaho into Montana near this pass in 1877 during their flight toward Canada.

Leaving the Idaho/Montana border, the Montana portion of the CDT is in length although several alternate routes shorten or lengthen that distance. The lowest elevation of the trail in Montana after leaving the Idaho/Montana border is at Upper Waterton Lake which straddles the U. S./Canada border. The highest elevation is in the Anaconda Pintler Wilderness. and as high as in the southern part of Montana. The Montana Wilderness Association is the leading non profit partner for the northern section of the CDT. MWA staff work to maintain the CDT in Montana and Idaho with the help of volunteers and agency partners. 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. Several alternate trails shorten the meandering route of the official CDT in Montana. Some road walking is required. Frequent forest fires in late summer often force closure of sections of the trail and early snowfalls in late September may make the trail in Glacier National Park impassable. East Glacier Park Village. At the entrance of Glacier National Park, the CDT is routed through the village and hikers resupply here for long treks whether going north or south. Glacier National Park. The park was voted second among favorite sections of the CDT by hikers in 2019. The trails in the park are well maintained and sometimes crowded. Grizzly bears are present. Due to snow in late September north bound thru hikers may take alternate routes to reach the Canadian border by road walking. Waterton Park. The village, four miles inside Canada in Waterton Lakes National Park, is the official starting and ending point of the CDT.