It stretches roughly 3,000 miles from Mexico to Canada, paralleling the Continental Divide the whole way. It is published by Cycle Adventures in a series of 5 maps designed for mountain bikes (bicycles). After dinner, food should be stored high in a tree or in a bear canister, away from camp. The result is a labor of love set to become one of North America's most magnificent long trails. That means trail meals and snacks will make up most of the trekkers’ diet on the GDT. Starting at the southern terminus will also leave more time for the snow to melt in the high and snowier passes of the northern sections. Section C runs from the Kananaskis Lakes Day Use Area in Peter Lougheed Provincial Park, Alberta, to the town of Field, British Columbia in Yoho National Park. We go way deep down the rabbit hole on why polyester tents are making a comeback and are possibly the ultimate fabric for shelters, how he's able to execute on his philosophy of creating … Permit The Parks Canada Discovery Pass (free in 2017) and an Annual Wilderness Pass ($68.70 CAD) are required. The reason is simple: snow. They’re closer to securing official sanction than they’ve ever been before: Alberta is considering giving provincial protection to its portions (about 65 percent of the trail), and for the first time, Banff National Park has opened up discussions with the GDTA for managing hikers. No worries: Our scout pinpointed the finest two-week stretch. After talking a bit more though, we have decided upon a NOBO hike of the Great Divide Trail starting early July. They also have stores or markets, but some only sell the basics and others are off route. “It’s doing a great job maintaining the trail,” she says, “building new trail, and raising awareness.”. The greatest challenge the GDT may pose is route-finding. The Great Divide Trail is not officially designated and not always even an actual trail, sometimes merely a wilderness route, … After the bear encounterin Jasper, I spent a day skirting larch groves and pearly tarns on a rolling band of treeline terrain that connects the Banff National Park portion of the trail to Mt. Barnaby Ridge and Wonder Pass are classic side trips that will reward hikers with amazing views while also helping avoid brushy sections. “There are 26 miles of elevation gain—it’s a vertical marathon from start to finish.”. Some of the highlights of this section include hiking on ridges and along rivers and creeks, stunning mountain lakes and great views of the divide, High Rock Range, and Beehive Mountain. A GPS device with downloaded maps or even a tracklog is also a very useful tool. It is one of the most spectacular and challenging long‐distance trails on the planet. Who says the Appalachian Trail has to stop in Maine? Trekkers can start from the north, but it is recommended that they start a few weeks later in the summer to allow for the snow to melt. It is concurrent with the Colorado Trail for approximately 200 miles (320 km). Contact For logistical info, packing suggestions, and trail support, visit the Great Divide Trail's website. After the Trek It was an awesome hike, filled with insane views and long days. All that makes Great Divide Trail Association Director Brad Vaillancourt optimistic about the trail’s future. The Great Divide Trail is over 1,100km long. This section was closed in 2018 due to the forest fires. The Great Divide Mountain Bike Route (GDMBR), developed and mapped in 1997 by the Adventure Cycling Association, is approximately 2,700 miles long and is considered by many to be the birthplace of bikepacking as a sport. Summer is also bear season as they come out to feast on berries and insects. Bringing a bug net for the head can be a good idea. Tekarra. This first section of the Great Divide Trail is said to be one of the most scenic, but all other long sections are very scenic as well. Bighorn sheep sun themselves above Michele Lakes (mile 410). About 90% of the route is on established trails or tracks, but there are no signs marking the GDT. Finally, the Great Divide Trail is not as famous as its sister long-distance trails in the United States. It starts just over the border from Glacier National Park in Montana and continues up the Rocky Mountain Range through renowned areas such as Banff and Jasper. No. For 30 years, some wide-eyed dreamers have been chiseling a 745-mile route through the Canadian Rockies. In the simplest terms, it’s a route that heads north from the Canadian border thru the Rocky Mountains. Trail Profile: The Great Divide Trail, 680 Miles Through the Canadian Rockies The very name “Great Divide Trail” is a bit of a misnomer, implying a walk on a cleared two-foot-wide strip of dirt. The Basics of the Great Divide Trail Thru-hiking the CDT is an adventure of a lifetime, but it’s not for the faint of heart. The starting point of the section is in Yoho National Park, close to the impressive Natural Bridge, which is well worth a visit. It typically snows in the Canadian Rockies every month of the year, and there are regularly snowstorms in late-August and early September. There are several options about where to finish the GDT. It’s the GDT’s composite wildness that sets it apart from any hike in the Lower 48. The highlights are Owen Pass, Michelle Pass, Pinto Pass, Jonas Shoulder, Maligne Pass, and Big Shovel Pass. It takes you from Mount Robson Provincial Park to Kakwa Lake Provincial Park. Volunteer dedication, love, and pennies are basically all that prop the trail up for now. Much of the CDT requires route finding, and many thru-hikers report that they had to check their maps and compass as frequently as every fifteen minutes. Starting from the south early in the summer is the best bet to avoid flies as much as possible. “This is a hard, hard trail that takes some of the best thru-hikers in the world and humiliates them,” says Liz “Snorkel” Thomas, who hiked it in 2016. But without national trail designation, there are no dedicated streams of money for maintenance, no official resources for hikers, and no real way to protect certain sections from mining or logging. One of the challenges of through-hiking the Great Divide Trail (or GDT) is the planning. For those reasons, it sees much less traffic and requires good navigation skills. Flies and mosquitos should not be an issue early in the season, but they might be one later on. The region also harbors an estimated thousand grizzlies, along with moose, elk, caribou, wolves, wolverines, bobcats—and anything else that calls big wilderness home. Some provincial park campgrounds require reservations. Not only are these trail segments … Cyclists typically start at the northern end of the trail and head south, beginning in late June or July. The Great Divide trail traces the spine of the Canadian Rockies for 746 miles, but I only needed 18 to see how wild it can be. However, choosing that option can mean sometimes carrying a heavier backpack or having to depend on store opening hours. Food on the Great Divide Trail Four years ago today, I made a decision that completely reshaped the course of my life: to thru-hike the 2200-mile Appalachian Trail. Otherwise, food supplies can be purchased in some towns along the way. Planning provisions is another logistic element to consider. Thousands cross the Great Divide Trail partially, with much fewer managing to hike the entire route. That means they only complete one section and then return another year to complete another section until they have hiked it from start to finish. Great Divide Trail Accommodation Will hikers share his vision? Glacier-fed rivers and grueling climbs create intimidating barriers. If you have not arranged a ride, you will need to hike out for 75 km on a forest road. The Continental Divide in Rocky Mountain National Park is a place of reckoning and, given its trackless nature, a place of choices. The GDT’s southern terminus is Waterton Lakes National Park in Alberta, right where the US’ Continental Divide Trail ends. In early August, wildflowers erupt along the bottomlands of the Howes River (mile 346). NOTE: This is a very long motorcycle/road biking trail. The GDT is coming to an end. Frequently Asked Questions About the Great Divide Trail. So what exactly is the Great Divide Trail? For that reason, there are no fixed rules or itinerary for completing it. As it goes through five national parks and nine provincial parks, day-use passes are required for the national parks and camping fees apply for some campgrounds along the way. Way too close. Thru-hikers turn into obsessives. Traversing the GDT is the kind of experience that divides your life into before and after. Since the ’60s, many Canadians have tried to knot together the threads of trail into a nationally recognized footpath. This year, I will attempt my third epic-length hike: The … Great Divide Trail hike – 15.6.-21.7.2013 The Great Divide Trail follows the Canadian Rockies from Waterton Lakes National Park to Kakwa Provincial Park and includes parts of trails, roads and off-trail sections that form a route about 1200 km long. Depending on any given year's snow-pack and a hiker's individual schedule, alternative routes are available. Some years have had less snow, which means it might be possible to hike snow-free in early June or until the end of September. It needs you, dear reader, in order to survive, but I’ll be back someday soon to finish it, and I hope to beat you to it. And after five days on the GDT, I came to my own conclusion about whether the trail needs saving or secrecy. They want to disappear. Through-hikers typically take around 8 weeks to complete the traverse. “It isn’t the kind of trail to cut your teeth on,” Taig says. The GDT is not officially signed and consists of many separate tracks, wilderness trails, and roads. Back then, he completed the long-distance Triple Crown by hiking the Pacific Crest, Continental Divide, and Appalachian Trails — a total of almost 8,000 miles. Last weekend marked the four week mark until I embark on thru hike of the Great Divide Trail (GDT) ... Thirty years later (my god has it been that long), I still vividly recall the first time I climbed the head-wall into Three Isle Lake and boiling up hot dogs on the top of Heart Mountain. Trekking with a lot of food poses another minor challenge: storage at night. Detailed route descriptions, excellent maps, alternate routes, and tips garnered from first-person experience combine with thorough contact and resupply information to make this book mandatory for anyone planning excursions along … Taig is one such hiker, and he’s an evangelist for the trail. “I have mixed feelings about this,” she says. As the GDT comes of age as a life-list thru-hike, the trail’s few fanatics are split on the best way to protect the experience they all had. You’ll want to linger while taking … Hiking First Aid Kit: Stay Safe in the Backcountry! Great Divide Trail (GDT) – Post Hike Thoughts November 4, 2018 by Beardoh and SweetPea For us, it felt a lot of times that the GDT was suffering from schizophrenia…on the one hand, we were often walking through unbelievably beautiful landscapes, yet on the other hand, we encountered some of the worst trail we have come across. A few towns along the way have restaurants and pubs that serve hot meals. The unofficial motto of the Continental Divide Trail: Embrace the Brutality. Read More … Categories Musings, Thru Hikes Tags canada, Great Divide Trail. Through binoculars, their coming winter coats looked like pulled cotton balls. “I am happy I did the trail when I did, as I enjoyed the solitude. Considered the crown jewel of the long-distance trail “Triple Crown”, the CDT is an entirely different beast than the Pacific Crest and Appalachian Trails. Posted on July 12, 2018 November 11, 2019 Author Paul Mags 8 Comments. The GDT crosses few towns, however, so trekkers will have sparse access to services such as Wi-Fi, laundromats, showers, and shops. Finally, this route goes in wild terrain, and a bear encounter is possible. Here, you will enter Jasper National Park and as would be expected, it is eye candy. America’s next long trail should cross the Great Plains, says the path’s pioneer, Steve Myers. The route follows the Continental Divide and is 90% off-pavement using high-quality dirt roads, gravel roads, trails, and a few short sections of unmaintained tracks. Viewing Assiniboine’s majestic reflection in the crystal clear waters of Lake Magog, rates as one of the highlights of the Great Divide Trail, a rugged backcountry route through the Canadian Rockies that ranks as one of North America’s most spectacular (and challenging) long-distance hikes. I hightailed it up an adjacent tundra bench, waited for 30 minutes, and doubled back about 200 yards farther down the way. GDT Route Information Two months and a half seems very short for 1,125 kilometres. No one knows for sure, because that estimate is cobbled together from Facebook group reports and wildlife agency motion sensors catching the rare mud-caked hiker in between all the cougars and grizzlies. Backpackers will enjoy the beautiful scenery, many glaciers, jagged rocky peaks, wildflowers, wildlife, and so much more. Easy unsubscribe links are provided in every email. Whole cross-country sections where old First Nation and fur-trader trails fade to almost nothing vex even experienced orienteers. With bear spray in hand and my heart hammering, I leapfrogged another 200 yards up the trail. The GDT offers a fantastic immersion in the wilderness and a way to truly connect with nature. Its northern terminus is 1,100km away, in Kakwa Lake Provincial Park in British Columbia. Frost coated the inside of my tent, and with the door open, it glittered in the moonlight. As I neared the trail again, I choked when I saw another silvered hump passing through a break in the trees, 10 feet away. There are various side-trips to choose from to lengthen the trek or get to different viewpoints. Thanks to the Continental Divide Trail Coalition for providing us with the five things you should know before you hike the CDT: Water, water, water. For most of the night, I carried on jelly-legged and shouting at every bear-shaped boulder that fuzzed into the waning beam of my headlamp. The first part of my Great Divide Trail thru-hike from Robson to Jasper. Like any through-hike, the Great Divide Trail requires careful planning and navigation skills. For that reason, it is much less travelled and not always signed. Few blazes, fewer trail angels: Canada’s Great Divide Trail offers a rare chance to go back in time and experience the birth of a thru-hike. This is the longest and wildest section. Tekarra. The trail has said to possibly be the … It also allows taking advantage of the longest days of summer. It became immediately clear that spending days alone above treeline is a rare privilege—one that’s hard to find on any trail anywhere—and I’m loath to think that might change. The CDT is by far the most rugged of the three, bei… They want deep immersion in wilderness. You will be rewarded with your first views of Mount Robson, the highest point of the Canadian Rockies. Don’t let the low number of days fool you! Moose Pass is the last pass on the Great Divide Trail. Hiking Canada's Great Divide Trail, by Dustin Lynx (Rocky Mountain Books; $21.95), is written by and for thru-hikers, but broken down into manageable sections. In the four years since I first set foot on Springer Mountain, I've also thru-hiked the 2650-mile Pacific Crest Trail, as well as the much shorter Long Trail and Benton MacKaye Trail, all together totaling 5,400 miles. Some stretches as long as 200km are in the backcountry and offer no option for resupplying. The hiking in this section is on a mix of trails and ATV roads. It goes through five National Parks, seven Provincial Parks and several wilderness areas and forest districts. The Great Divide Trail – An Overview. This allows most regular people to hike this incredible trail over three to six summers. After miles of sublime, airy ridge walking on Jasper National Park’s Skyline Trail, I exited a tunnel of trees into a wide patch of tundra sweeping up to the fortress of 8,839-foot Mt. The trail’s remoteness and pristine wilderness are what makes this trail so great. A hiker crests the GDT’s 8,500-foot high point (mile 411), which, fittingly, lacks an official name. Instead, this trail delivers so much more; part wilderness, part rugged equestrian and game trail, and yes, part hiking trail. The GDT (Great Divide Trail) is a long distance hike along the Continental Divide in Canada. This short section is on a mix of trails and forest service roads. Also, park officials strongly recommend bear spray. On May 4, Williams started walking north along the Continental Divide Trail (CDT), in Lordsburg, New Mexico, about 100 miles north of the Mexican border. This trek is a unique way to enjoy pure mountain wilderness away from the crowds and visit several parks that are on many hikers’ bucket list. Distance: 309.1 miles (497.3 km) Time: 10.5 days (8/16/11 – 8/26/11) Daily Average: 29.4 miles (47.4 km) Highlights: Waterton National Park: It is difficult to imagine a more spectacular … All other nights will be spent in the tent, mostly in developed and undeveloped backcountry sites. It is greatly recommended that food packages be sealed tightly as some resilient mice may attempt to chew through boxes to get to your food. Yes, Hiking Canada’s Great Divide Trail (third edition 2017 – Revised and Updated) by Dustin Lynx. Some towns also require a short detour, usually around 2-3km round-trip. This can be adapted based on the campsites available. Assiniboine, a Matterhorn döppelganger, reflected in Lake Magog. There are many ways to plan the trek and campgrounds with a fee can be avoided if they are all booked or if there are budget constraints. It runs along the Alberta/British Columbia border, criss-crossing the Continental Divide many times. The Great Divide Trail association is asking folks who are hiking the trail to be self sufficient and avoid re-supplying in small towns that may not have the capacity to manage an outbreak; Alberta Provincial Parks are open for day use and camping (at 50% capacity). Besides, several sections of the GDT are closed in winter and navigation would be a serious challenge with the snow. But she’s more ambivalent when it comes to spreading the word. The only problem is that the GDT ends in remote Mount Robson Provincial Park or even more remote Kakwa Lake Provincial Park. Great Divide Trail Thru Hike Here's a video I just finished on my thru hike of Canada's Great Divide Trail. Others want to galvanize local and federal agencies to promote and preserve it. As the GDT goes up to 2,590m and snowfall in July and August is a possibility, you should also carry a GPS device and maps, to help you find your way if you wake up to the trail covered in snow. Don't have time to hike all 1,200 miles of the Pacific Northwest Trail? Most sections will also be snow-free and the rivers should be quieter. Copyright © 2020 10Adventures Inc. All rights reserved. One last interesting detour of note is to climb Nub Peak in Mount Assiniboine Provincial Park. The common denominators are the Rocky Mountains and the Great Divide, which separates the water that flows into the Pacific Ocean from the water that flows into Hudson Bay. Hiking it implies an experience of freedom and connection with nature. Anyone attempting the GDT should have experience in bushwhacking and navigation, as well as be ready for snow, rain, and fording rivers. This 32km side-trip leads to a classic spot of the Rockies and this touristic area may be a good bet to catch a ride back home. Posted on September 25, 2011 July 1, 2020 3 Comments. The CDT is the longest and most rugged of America’s long-distance hiking trails. Fewer people attempt it due to the logistics and planning required, so trekkers enjoy a true and quiet through-hiking experience, something that is lost with the famous American long-distance trails. Unlike on well-known long trails, don’t expect a crowd of hikers to come to your aid if there’s a problem: Long stretches of the GDT are practically deserted. On the other hand, I also learned that company looks mighty appealing when you’re outnumbered by grizzlies. No spam. As a father of two, I try to get out into the wilderness as often as I can, passing a spirit of outdoor adventure onto my … Today for free and be the first to get notified on new updates. The GDT is in the Canadian Rockies, stretching through the Continental Divide between Alberta and British Columbia. Pikas pinballed between the rocks, and as everything went silver in fading light, I saw two dozen mountain goats freckling a brow of granite 500 feet above me. Read More … Categories Thru Hikes Tags canada, gift of time, … Hikers trade tattered copies of the 10-year-old guidebook (the only one in existence, currently out of print), offer tips on surviving the Great Divide’s capricious weather, and, of course, carpool the Great Divide way (“anybody want to share a floatplane from Kakwa Lake?”). As trekkers make their way north, they will keep enjoying long hours of sunlight due to the greater latitude. Do not rely on solely a GPS device; paper maps never fail. The Kananaskis region is famous for its views and you will enjoy them on this section. As one of the most challenging and breathtaking long-distance trails in the world, the Great Divide Trail offers a wilderness experience through some of … For those unfamiliar with the Great Divide Trail in Canada, it is around 700 miles in length. Staying at hotels with hot showers is also possible in seven places. As no official body recognizes the GDT, it is not marked like some other long trails, particularly the popular ones in Europe. But perhaps the most transformative recent change has been the GDTA’s creation of a Facebook group—a virtual trailhead register for a trail that has only three real registers. Food will also be an important part of planning. Some miscalculations in supplies, timing, and shuttles meant I had to reverse my point-to-point to Lake Og back to my car in one day—30 solo miles including a 4-mile road walk on not much more than a few nuts, some jerky dust, and a rind of Parmesan cheese. It was a perfect ending to my trial-size section. Length:2700 - 3150 miles (depending on route) Time to hike:5-6 months Start and end points: 1. It’s the highest, most remote, and, in many ways, most challenging of our National Scenic Trails. This short section is challenging. Yes, as you would have to stay in designated campgrounds in the National and Provincial Parks you will pass, so it is recommended that you arrange for all park entry permits and campsite reservations in advance. Categories Great Divide Trail, The Hiking Life Blog Tags 12 Long Walks, Backpacking, Cam Honan, Great Divide Trail, Hiking. The GDT begins where the Continental Divide Trail ends, then hits Canada’s five Rocky Mountain national parks, seven provincial parks, and crosses the continental divide 30 times before ending at Kakwa Lake. Through-hikers typically take around 8 weeks to complete the traverse. While the official way is to hike to Kakwa Lake in Kakwa Provincial Park, most trekkers choose to end their journey at Mount Robson. Walking long distances in the wilderness can take a toll and you’ll be wise to remember that many wild and dangerous animals call this their home. The software engineer is building a GDT app with Atlas Trail Guides and writing a coffee table book. Typically, purchasing an annual pass for national parks is the most cost-effective option. A paw the size of a pie followed, and then I saw the shovel nose, beady eyes, and small ears confirming this was a griz, 25 yards away. Like any through-hike, the Great Divide Trail requires careful planning and navigation skills. The CDT itself meanders in Colorado some 650 miles (1,050 km) at higher altitudes. For starers, three ecosystems—Rocky Mountain, Pacific Northwest, Arctic—converge on the divide. One of the most common reasons is the short season—you could start the hike in late June at best and finish by mid-September. Themselves above Michele Lakes ( mile 410 ) others require experience in navigation and a bear canister, from! July 12, 2018 November 11, 2019 Author Paul Mags 8 Comments challenge the GDT last year to what. Hiking trails it happen and you will enter Jasper National Park and its ruggedness is eye candy GDT ’ a. While this Trail takes around 45-56 days to complete the traverse a corridor than a Trail and skills. Of summer in 2015 alone, 4,453 hikers obtained long-distance Permits for the head can be a serious with... ( free in 2017 ) and an annual Pass for National Parks is the safest option in. 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