Continental Divide National Scenic Trail: the Divide trail in Colorado

The Continental Divide National Scenic Trail (CDT) follows the Rocky Mountains from Mexico to Canada. The U.S. Forest Service gives it 3,100 miles, 2,140 of them on National Forest System lands across 20 national forests. The Continental Divide Trail Coalition (CDTC) says Congress established it in 1978 and that about 160 miles are still incomplete.

One trail, five states

The CDT crosses New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming, Idaho and Montana. No single permit covers the whole trail: the CDTC advises full-length hikers to plan for at least three permits (Blackfeet Nation, Glacier National Park, Yellowstone National Park). According to the CDTC, a full thru-hike takes five to seven months.

Grand Lake and Rocky Mountain National Park

The CDTC says the trail passes directly through the Town of Grand Lake. Through Rocky Mountain National Park the route is about 30 miles on the CDTC's Grand Lake page, does not follow the Continental Divide itself, and climbs to 11,500 feet, taking in high peaks and fragile alpine tundra. Between the North Inlet and Tonahutu trailheads it forms a 28-mile loop; the CDTC's thru-hiking page calls the loop through the park "just 25 miles". To reach these trailheads, take State Highway 278 heading south and turn left onto County Road 663: Tonahutu is on the left and North Inlet on the right. From the East Shore trailhead, the trail heads south along Shadow Mountain Lake.

Permits and camping in Colorado

Per the CDTC, backcountry camping in Rocky Mountain National Park costs US$26 per person per night, and hard-sided bear canisters are required; they can be rented in Grand Lake. In the Indian Peaks Wilderness, the CDTC says not to camp without a permit, and that camping between Lonesome Peak and Devil's Thumb, or after Rollins Pass, avoids the requirement. Permits come from the Arapahoe and Roosevelt National Forests.

Dogs

The CDTC page on pets does not say where dogs are allowed. It asks owners to keep dogs from chasing wildlife and cows, to store dog food bear-safe, and to follow Leave No Trace principles, regulations and etiquette.

Maps, closures and safety

The CDTC offers its 4th edition maps free (one inch to a half mile), along with GPX and KMZ route data. Before leaving, it asks hikers to check its Closures and Alerts page, which covers fires, reroutes and trail alerts, and it links to SNOTEL snow data and the Colorado Avalanche Information Center. It advises leaving an itinerary with someone you trust: some areas have no cell service, and a satellite messenger is more reliable there.