Four wheel drive is REQUIRED. Be sure to stop in both even if you don't need fuel, the food and experience of both places is worth the time. There is little to no support along the trail so be sure to bring food, water, a spare tire, and appropriate medical supplies for safety. If you're in need of a shuttle to complete your Great Divide trip, download our Great Divide Shuttle Options (pdf) for suggestions. 95. The drive is easy to moderate throughout, but several spots are extremely bumpy. Official and accurate trail trace from the Continental Divide Trail Coalition. The journey to the Grand Canyon spans the northern most point of the Arizona traverse. We continue down through Montana along the Continental Divide with Expedition SEMA, checking out Gold Hill and camping near Whitehall. Should you decide to travel the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail through the park for a few hours or several days, here are a few considerations: The air is thin at these high altitudes between 10,500 feet (3,200 km) and 13,000 feet (3,962 km). Incredible aspen stands, huge mountains, beautiful alpine meadow flora, historical tourist towns, and a less remote wilderness setting are the characteristics of this state. You'll cross into Wyoming between Yellowstone and Grand Teton National parks on a very scenic road with some great backcountry campsites and a genuine undeveloped hot springs. The road gets bumpy from here and slowly leads up into the mountains. Before you reach its end, the booming ski-resort town of Fernie makes a great place for a layover, with its copious motels, sporting goods stores, restaurants, and hiking/mountain-biking trails. 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. The Overland Trail was used steadily between 1860 and 1869 until the First Transcontinental Railroad made the stage line obsolete. by less than fifty feet." Medical help is often a long distance off of the route, so riding within your abilities and being aware of dangers is a must. The further you travel north the more vegetation you being to see. Temperatures drop here and the vegetation changes once again. From Butte to Pinedale, Wyoming, you'll be riding through wide-open mountain valleys. You'll need to deal with a couple of long stretches without basic services. Rawlins, Wyoming, marks the end of the desert. The trees eventually give way to plains and cattle with long open views. In no particular order the nine vehicles along this time were: 2008 Ford F In stock on September 16, 2020. The rolling road following the Flathead River is known to locals as “Grizzly Bear Highway” so be very “bear aware.”. Farther on there's the unforgetable sensation of riding on the crest of the divide for several miles. Placemark 1. Hi Guest, Become a Member to gain access to the Member Forums, Member Map, Member Calendar of Events, and Rally Point overland trip planner! Fauna ranges widely from owls, small mice, and rodent, to reptiles like gila monsters tortoise and chuckwalla, up to larger predators like cougars.If you plan to traverse the route, we highly recommend coupling this GPS track with the Mojave Road Guide by Dennis Casebier. 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. Overland Adventure; ... with the massive ridge of the Continental Divide bisecting the state's two agricultural regions and providing over 14 million forest acres for recreation. 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. Sam wanted to share his passion for off-road exploration. 5.0 out of 5 stars 13. 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. For a map of the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail, click here. 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. 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. Wheels, tires, and drivetrains (chains, cassettes, bottom brackets, chainrings) take a lot of abuse and might need replacing along the course of the entire route. As for a tire recommendation, we recommend a 2.25” width with a low-profile tread pattern and thick sidewalls. Colorado. This is the central portion of the Arizona Traverse and it spans between Interstate 10 and Mayer Arizona. Fuel stops are rare so take advantage of them when you can. Catch a row boat across the border and bring your pass port. Always contact the local forest service for current road conditions and do not attempt if freezing conditions or snow are present on the trail. Search for a journal, create a journal, add/edit an entry, configure your journal, EMail updates, integrated Google trail map, PLB locations and more. Some places require an experienced driver and a spotter to safely navigate. 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'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! ), 1. Beginning in Jasper, the route counterintuitively runs north to Hinton before heading southward toward Canmore. You'll see many cows. A wide variety of road conditions exists along this route. Flora and fauna can range drastically in the alpine environment and it is all beautiful. 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 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. The drive begins in the pines and winds its way down forest roads. The Continental Divide National Scenic Trail is a registered National Scenic Trail that runs from Canada to Mexico through the states o… Montana is characterized by mountainous riding in tall forests with occasional dips into small towns. The remainder is 60 miles of singletrack trails and 950 miles of paved roads including close to 50 miles of paved bike paths. Here the countryside turns much drier, and water sources can be few and far between. The paved Legacy Trail brings riders into Banff and through spectacular scenery to Peter Lougheed Provincial Park. The route is rich in history, with ghost towns, deserted mines, wagon routes, and old Spanish land grants. This area is native to grizzly bear, elk, moose, mountain lion, thick woods, and has some difficult climbing. The high point on Great Divide Canada, Elk Pass, is a mere 6,443 feet. Last year, the 1600 miles of the RawHyde/Exploring Overland Continental Divide trip proved to be a challenge for the participating vehicles (report here ). This year’s journey proved just as challenging, in different ways. According to a Google search, “The Great Continental Divide Adventure Route is a motorized route that follows closely along the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail. The Brute: The Dalton Highway, Alaska. 95. Our trip through the alpine loop was 70 miles through some of Colorado's most beautiful countryside. Food sources are usually small-town establishments, convenience stores, and campground groceries with limited supplies. A well-ventilated, free-standing, three-season tent covered by a rainfly with ample vestibule space and a "footprint" ground tarp is a must. This area is both historically and anthropologically dominated by the rich Native American and southwestern Spanish culture. 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. After dropping into the twin ghost towns of South Pass and Atlantic City, you will cross the Great Basin — a place of almost no drinkable water and no trees. Untitled layer. From the town of Williams Arizona, the track stretchy nearly 78 miles into the heart of the national park and the edge of the canyon. You may also wish to sign up with Warmshowers, a reciprocal hospitality site for bicycle travelers, for other overnight options. When you're ready turn out the west end of town toward the ghost town and you'll pick up a dirt road towards Perkinsville. ), 6. Grants, NM to Antelope Wells, NM (394.4 mi.). 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. If it is a heavy snow year, high-elevation roads in the north may not be open until late June or early July. The track gets smoother as time goes on and many sections are quite fast. From here the roads get smooth and the views continue to stun. Although there isn't as much singletrack, there are plenty of spots where you can get some good air. Montana also has the toughest downhill on the route — nicknamed "thermarest hill" for all the thermarests it has eaten. Addendum: Wyoming volume, mile 1868 to 1875, download image here. It is a route to be enjoyed for its diversity. The Great Divide Mountain Bike Route (GDMBR) is Adventure Cycling's premier off-pavement cycling route, crisscrossing the Continental Divide in southern Canada and the U.S. The ascents on the route stretch out to long mountainous climbs at elevations starting at 8,000 feet or above. Great Divide Canada features some of the most magnificent and forbidding mountain country you'll ever see — anywhere. National Geographic: Continental Divide Trail in gift box Wall Map (18 x 48 inches) (National Geographic Reference Map) by National Geographic Maps. As a rule, if you're not riding uphill, then you're headed downhill. We suggest you download the Hema Explorer app and Cloud GPS track, as well as source detailed paper maps as an analog backup. If you are in the mood to cross borders, the town of Boquillas is just down the road. 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. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register. 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. The capital city in Montana, Helena, has less than 40,000 people and a nice small-town feel to it. You then hit an extremely picturesque section of high desert following the Lander cutoff — part of one of the westward wagon routes. Much more detail than possible on any smart phone app. Climbs get shorter and steeper. Many different cactus and grass varieties somehow provide habitat for small rodents, snakes, and lizards. With the exception of the Great Basin in Wyoming, you will be either gaining elevation, or descending, for the entire route. We recommend camping once you've crossed back into the pine trees and the road turns to a red dirt. Many city parks are free to camp in. Most of the good camping is found in this region, especially if you have ground tents. 4.9 out of 5 stars 21. Though not exceptionally technical, the remote water-less expanses, historical nature, and impressive topography have made this a classic overland track. Fauna and flora are both diverse and are congruent with desert and high desert environments. The route offers something different every day — whether it be riding conditions, scenery, points of interest, or folks along the way. Scenic vistas, mountain passes, clear flowing streams, and varied wildlife are abundant along this route and every corner will reveal a new surprise. The elevations are lower in Montana — building up to the highest passes in Colorado and then tapering back off in New Mexico. Ahh, okay, well, the only Continental Divide Trail I know of is for hiking, not vehicles, though parts of it are largely walking along roads. Suspension seatposts, good handlebar grips, and front-suspension forks help smooth out the many miles of washboarded and chuckholed roads. He is disappointed. Today these tracks are largely used by bikes and four-wheel drives and include some favorites like Cinnamon and Engineer Pass.Though many parts of this loop are fast well maintained forest roads, there are sections which require low range and careful driving. Wall Maps Print out your favorite trail to 6 feet high. Surface water should be ingested only after running it through a good water filter. Continental Divide Trail Pocket Maps - New Mexico. Mosquitoes are a fact of life — take repellent. 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. 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. From the divide at Lemhi Pass, Lewis sees huge mountains ahead. Get it as soon as Tue, Jul 7. Please be sure to pay the appropriate use fees upon leaving the park. Roosville, MT to Helena, MT (371.1 mi. Surfaces range from pavement, good gravel roads, four-wheel-drive roads, singletrack, or old railroad beds. Sleeping bags should be rated to below 20 degrees Fahrenheit, and inflatable mattresses add comfort and warmth. Nearly 2,100 miles of the route is composed of county, Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management (BLM), and Canadian provincial unpaved roads. It is good to have some back-country camping experience before riding the Great Divide to know how to minimally impact the land. Generally, road quality is quite good, although you'll find that surfaces range from smooth pavement to rutted dirt, where you'll be thankful that you're riding a mountain bike and not a road bike. Fauna include many species of bird, fish, goat, large cat, and of course bears. Picture a route two and a half thousand miles long, stretching from Mexico to Canada, traversing Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming, and Montana, with elevations from … Always be bear-aware, and follow these rules when camping: Some campgrounds will charge a cyclist traveling alone less if they have hiker/biker sites, but often they will charge the price of a regular tent site, and that can easily be $10-$20/night. Order Your Continental Divide Trail Pocket Maps Sign up and get new stories and inspiration delivered right to you. Taylor Ranger District within the Cibola National Forest in New Mexico. We highly recommend using a detailed National Park Map along with this GPS track. In 2018, for the 20th anniversary of the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route, we completely redesigned the maps. This beautiful map shows the entire length of the trail from Mexico to Canada through New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming, Idaho, and Montana. This route can be navigated entirely by GPS. Water is very scarce through here, so carry plenty. A spot device or sat phone is recommended. It is also noted for its friendly people. Planning resources: GPSKevin Spanning over 800,000 acres, Big Bend National park holds plenty of opportunity for back road fun and exploration.The path we chose runs south from Alpine Texas to the west side of of the park and totals 231 miles. Driving the Continental Divide, NM. Sporadic challenges continue all the way to the border with Mexico. Overall trail ratings are easy with a few moderate sections thrown in the mix at black gap pass. The route is near or goes through several national parks such as Glacier, Yellowstone, and Grand Teton. The Westside Overland trail offers any cross-country rider plenty of excitement and challenges. The diverse nature of the regions makes for an incredible visual, sometimes spiritual experience. Click this link Learn More for more information! Placemark 2. So in 1984, he set off to create an off-pavement, cross-country trail of epic proportions. Beginning at the Canadian border and heading south to Helena, Montana, you are in the deep woods and steep mountains near Glacier National Park and the Bob Marshall Wilderness. The route crosses the Continental Divide many times, and the climbing is longer with very steep sections on some of the roads. This route is defined by the word "remote." That said, nylon pivots of some full-suspension bikes wear out extremely fast and are not recommended. Printed maps don't require batteries! In Sparwood, you can continue on the main route or choose to ride through miles of unbridled wilderness on the Flathead Alternate. The Great Divide Mountain Bike Route is extremely hard on equipment. Conifer, pine, and deciduous trees, wildflowers, shrubs, mushrooms, mosses, and lichens all have a strong presence in the area. We highly recommend protecting tires against “goathead thorns” in one of three ways: 1. The track can be moderate to very difficult depending on weather conditions and the roads condition after rain. Sealant-filled or thorn-resistant tubes; 2. By the time you hit national forest land the track is very light and at times is covered with fallen trees or tall grass. Getting up and riding early to avoid the afternoon thundershowers is advisable. Continental Divide Trail 32,443 views. Temperatures tend to be chilly at night and cool to warm in the days as you are in mountainous regions most of the way. We discourage you from attempting to ride this route solo; in fact, a minimum group size of three is strongly recommended. Big northwest winds blow across vast open territory marked with wild horses and antelope. © 1997-2020 Adventure Cycling Association, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA) Rules of the Trail, British Columbia Ministry of Forests, Recreation Sites and Trails, Grand Mesa Uncompaghre and Gunnison National Forests, Antelope Wells and Columbus, New Mexico border crossings, CANADA - Jasper, AB to Roosville, MT (589.1 mi. A lot of effort must be taken to keep your possessions dry. Snow or cold rain is possible any day of the year at some of the elevations encountered, and hypothermia is an ever-present possibility. 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. Elevation chart and resupply locations. Showers, flush toilets, drinking water, and laundromats are sometimes widely spaced. Concerning the other end of the cycling season, plan on being off the route by mid-October at the latest. Sections MT24 - MT26 Overview. Mesas, cliff lines, volcanic formations, and mountain ranges that seem to pop right out of the desert floor are major visual features of this area. He had hoped to see a river flowing toward the Pacific Ocean. You leave Montana crossing the divide into Idaho. Starting from the south you'll wind your way through cacti and open desert with barren mountains on the horizon. Suspension equipment on the bicycle helps to mitigate the abusive nature of the terrain. Stay closely to the gps track as a wrong turn can be difficult to retrace. Its remoteness equates with spectacular terrain and scenery. Postholer Forum Source for trail and site information or just talk about your favorite trail Above all the roads are narrow and taking even a moment to look away can spell disaster. Caution should be used when camping along the loop to avoid attracting large predators. From there, a dizzying and delightful series of paved and gravel byways, one of which proffers a brief glimpse down on the immense Lake Koocanusa, then wend their way to Grasmere. 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. ), 3. This is the legendary Continental Divide, also known as the Great Divide. And cold-weather clothing lighten the rear triangle of the elevations are lower in Montana building! 11,910 feet, in different ways forest road and includes a diverse array of plant and animal life thanks the. Continue to stun from your tent Pass, elevation 11,910 feet, in southern Colorado are minimal at,., with Spanish spoken more than English drive it and you ’ ll cross the Continental Divide National Scenic,! 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