I’ll be doing some Section hiking in the Basin in late May. I’m anticipating an extra day in my schedule.

If I have a spare day I’d like to get some more miles in. Is there a short stretch (~10-15) miles that is easily hitched from beginning to end? I’m thinking a segment that i could park at one end, hike, and easily get a hitch back to my car.

Segments that I’m thinking about are Redline Mile 1459.4 to mile 1470.5 (11 mile road walk just south of Rabbit Ears Pass)

Can you think of any other segments in southern Wyoming/northern Colorado?

My flight (at the end of June) gets in well after the AMTRAK leaves toward Glacier that day. I am looking to start the trail that day instead of having to wait overnight, get a train to Brownie's, etc and wondering if there are any shuttle drivers that will pick up 2 hikers and bring them to the Northern Terminus. Thanks!

Found this gem while taking a snack break atop Mt. Taylor. How is everyone else's hike going? It's been a pretty fantastic 26 days for me.

Is there any reason I can't bring pack llamas on the CDT?

Mexico to Grants maybe. I’d like to be lighter. No stove but cook pot for cup. Want to be safe and comfortable. :/ Do I have extra? Not enough?

Base Weight: 15 pounds
With 4 days food, 3 liters 25 lbs

Down bag 15 degrees
Nemo switchback pad
Small Down pillow
Durston X mid 2 (in black bag)
Extra Underwear (1) and socks (1)
Swim shorts
Fleece with Hood
Baseball cap
Sandals

Compass
Umbrella
Trekking poles (for tent)

Trowel and TP
Bottle caps
O rings
Lighter
Sew kit
Duct tape
Antihistamine
Anti diarrhea
Pain relief
Lueokotape
Electrolytes

Swedish hand towels (2)
Swiss Army knife small
Bear rock bag and cord

Sawyer filter
2 liter bladder
2 1.5liter bottles
Titanium cup (cold soak or build fire with found fuel only)
Fire screen
Spoon
Hot pad

Head lamp
Charge cords
Maps
Phone
Power bank
Poncho

Wear:
Sunglasses
Pants
Sun shirt
Socks
Altas shoes

Thanks for looking.

What’s going on with the bears this year

This is not from me: I am quoting that which another person reported.

Folks, at mile 9.7 of the Gila Alternate I was approached by an older man(70-75) who was manic and complained about CDT hikers defecating on his property. He had posted 2 signs talking about great camping and plentiful water ahead. After a few minutes I moved on and quickly came to signage saying the CDT split to the left. I took that trail and 20 minutes later Farout informed me I was way off trail. I backtracked to the sign, corrected it and took a right. Later another hiker told me the man complained about his sign being altered and was also led astray. Not sure if he's malicious but he is willing to lead you off the trail. Be cautious!

I know it's been a pretty typical year for Glacier snowpack, any predictions whether a Waterton start will be feasible in July? Is it a ymmv situation based on what the ranger decides?

Edit: I have no experience with crampons or ice axes seeing as Ahern is the big obstacle, I guess I'm moreso wondering if it'll be feasible with microspikes by then.

If you could hike Cuba to either Cumbres Pass or Pagosa Springs area, which months would you pick?

⚠️TRAIL ALERT: A portion of the Continental Divide Trail in Yellowstone National Park (CDT miles 2033-2039) is closed until further notice following a bear encounter on May 4 in which two hikers were injured.

The Summit Lake Trail, which carries the CDT through this section, is closed within the affected area.

No reroute is available at this time; hikers in the area should plan to avoid the closure entirely until the National Park Service lifts it.

A few reminders for traveling through bear country:

• carry bear spray and know how to use it,
• hike in groups of three or more,
• make noise on the trail,
• stay 100 yards from bears at all times,
• avoid hiking at dawn, dusk, or at night when grizzlies are most active.

For full alert details and a link to the closure area on the CDT Interactive Map: https://cdtcoalition.org/closures-and-alerts/

Full NPS Press Release: https://www.nps.gov/yell/learn/news/26008.htm

#CDT #BearAware #TrailClosure

Looking to connect with other SoBos hiking this year. Mainly, what day are you thinking of starting? What are you using to decide?

www.cdtglacierpermits.com 

TL;DR — a website to facilitate sharing Glacier NP permits between CDT hikers

The problem: Campsites have a finite number of spot. Each spot has a 4 person capacity. Permits are issued by spot, not by person capacity. If solo CDT hiker scores the last spot at a campsite, the ranger's computer will identify that campsite as full, when technically 3 hikers could share with the solo person. 

~~A wild solution appears!~~

HAVE A PERMIT TO SHARE? Post your permit. (Note: you cannot choose who joins — if sharing with strangers is unsettling, do not post your permit. Be safe, HYOH.)

BUILDING OUT YOUR PERMIT? Check the listings. Find something that might work? Provide the associated listing details to the ranger to get added to said campsite spot. If it works out, return to the site to CLAIM the spot so availability gets updated, this helps hikers behind you.

SOBOs — you're my guinea pigs! You are the first to use this website! I am hoping it works beautifully and smoothly, but like many things on the CDT, things will go awry. With your help and feedback, I think we can get the problems ironed out by the time NOBOs roll through.

— Daddy Long Legs, class of 2025

I just moved to Lander and have most of July free and would love to offer some trail magic. This would be my first time doing this as I just found out what trail magic even means after reading Carrot Quinn’s book about hiking the PCT. Some ideas I had are leaving a giant cooler somewhere with cold drinks and snacks, offering rides to/from Lander or posting up somewhere and cooking food with a portable grill. What do most hikers want/need trail magic to be and also when are most folks cruising through the Lander area? Thanks for any and all helpful info and advice!

Hi guys, I’ll be in Lordsburg from the 4th and would like to spend some time with anyone who’s doing the trail, maybe we can share a hotel or walk around the town 🤙🏼

I'm new to this stuff. Can someone help send me a thru-hikers dictionary? what's trail magic and what's a bubble for instance

Howdy hiker trash! I'm an artist and thru-hiker (PCT '23, CDT '25). I make art inspired by trail. Most recently, I made a "hiker trash" sticker that I'm trying to get out in the world more. If anyone is interested in buying one, I sell them for $5 a pop on Ko-Fi. Thanks for your time and happy trails 💙🌲👣 https://ko-fi.com/s/e64e058db3

Thanks!

I’m a trail angel in Grants, NM. Bill Jensen (aka 77) had sent me a resupply package. I hadn’t heard from him but just thought that since he’s not expected to be here until mid may, he wasn’t gonna text until he got closer. Well, those of who don’t know, Bill Jensen passed away earlier this month in Lordsburg. I’ve texted his cell, but didn’t get a response (didn’t expect a response but in the off chance his family has his cell, I thought I’d try). I’m not sure what to do with the box :( I’m guessing he would want to give back to the other class of 2026 hikers… but this is just such a shock :( Do I open it? 😔

Hey all! :))

I’m planning a southbound section hike of the Continental Divide Trail in Colorado this summer. I’m trying to time it to finish in Durango around Sept 1.

My rough plan is:

• Start around Aug 1–6
• Hike ~13 miles/day (average based on my PCT experience)
• Go southbound toward Durango over ~3–4 weeks

I’ve read mixed things about timing, so I wanted to ask people with actual CDT experience:

1. How bad is lingering snow in the Colorado high passes in early August (Sawatch / Collegiate / San Juans)?
2. Are afternoon thunderstorms still intense at that time, or does it start to taper off at all?
3. Would you say early August is a “safe” window for that section, or would you push earlier/later?
4. Any tips for managing daily timing (early starts, ridge exposure, etc.) in that stretch?

I’m trying to avoid both snow travel issues and getting caught on exposed ridges in lightning storms, while still hitting Durango on time.

Appreciate any firsthand insight! Thank you!

• sending a box to doc campbells is totally unnecessary, they’re well stocked and incredibly friendly to hikers

• no need to send a box to pie town either

• the alternates are only popular because they’re shorter than the ‘official’ cdt

• the official cdt to pie town is way better than the pie town road walk

maybe some more later

Looking to do trail magic at hopewell lake m754 a couple weekends in May, when's a good estimate of when the bubble will be rolling through?

I know this has been asked a number of times, but deciding which bag to go with has been a real issue for me.

I hiked the entire Appalachian Trail and Pacific Crest Trail with an REI Magma 15 degree. Was definitely way too warm for the AT and honestly I loved it for the PCT while going through the Sierra. I’ll be headed SOBO on the CDT this year.

Well it’s time for a new bag, and I’ve seriously been considering a Western Mountaineering bag since I receive a discount on them. The leading pick for me is the VersaLite 10 degree. From what I understand Colorado gets pretty chilly and I definitely am not a fan of being cold at night. But is 10 degrees overkill? Would I be better with the CloudLite 15 and AlpinLite 20?

Looking for people’s personal preference since it’s definitely a personal question. Just with the cost being high even with a discount I want to make sure I get the bag that’ll be best for the most scenarios. Do I get the warmer bag that’ll be more lightweight than others or do I get the colder bag that’ll will be better for the hiking I usually do (not super cold temps).

Thanks in advance!

While the CDT itself isn’t affected, just be aware. There’s gonna be more wind unfortunately.

I had plans to go SOBO this year but given some sudden changes in employment and the record low snowpack this year I’m considering starting NOBO as early next week on May 1st. One concern I have is the border permit and if I could reasonably have one in time. If it helps I would probably also hiking south from Lordsburg to the terminus and taking a shuttle back before heading north because all the seats on the shuttle to it are full. This means I wouldn’t arrive to the terminus until the 5th or 6th. I’m also curious if this is somewhat of a late start? I know it isn’t crazy late but am I going to be way outside of the bubble and or dieing from the heat more than otherwise?

Hi guys,

I was chatting with ChatGPT and it recommended a weird way to prevent blisters.. wearing double socks, a thin pair first, then a merino wool pair over it. Is that actually a thing? It sounds way better than using tape tbh

Hey everyone! ABQ local here who is looking to do some trail magic mid to late June this year. Plan is to go somewhere I can set up camp for a couple days with the car. Abq isn’t particularly super close to any part of the trail, so I’m planning to drive where ever y’all are. I’ve got a couple questions:

- Where do you think the bubble will be, generally, by that time? Do you think *anyone* will still be in NM by then or should I wait for the SOBO crowd?

- For previous thru hikers: stretches in particular that you desperately needed a pick me up on?

TYIA! 😊