Continental Divide in Southwest Montana
The Continental Divide is a chain of mountain ranges that runs from northern Alaska through North America to its southern terminus at the Straits of Magellan. This divide separates the watersheds that flow to the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. The Continental Divide Trail is roughly a 3,100 mile trail that climbs and descends the peaks of the Rocky Mountains from Canada to Mexico, traversing mountainside meadows, granite peaks and high-desert saddles. The largest share of the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail is the 820 miles along Montana’s rugged Divide. The Continental Divide Trail was designated by Congress as a National Scenic Trail in 1978.
Continental Divide Trail Coalition
The Continental Divide Trail Coalition (CDTC) was founded in 2012 with the mission to “complete, promote, and protect the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail. The CDTC will do this by building a strong and diverse trail community, providing up-to-date information to the public, and encouraging conservation and stewardship of the trail, its corridor, and surrounding landscapes.“ The CDTC provides a vast array of information regarding the 3,100 mile Continental Divide Trail including community information, thru-hiking, section hiking, trip planning resources and more! For complete information about the trail, please visit the Continental Divide Trail Coalition website.
