Continental Divide Trail Coalition

06/06/2026

National Trails Day looks a little different in a CDT Gateway Community.

Last fall, Winter Park-Fraser became the 8th designated Continental Divide Trail Gateway Community in Colorado. That's Jordan, our CDTC Colorado Regional Rep, holding the brand-new signs at the designation ceremony.

This weekend, the community is bringing that designation to life. CDTC and our partners at Headwaters Trails Alliance are celebrating with a guided hike along the CDT at Berthoud Pass, a family fun afternoon at Cooper Creek Square, live music, and more.

This is what Gateway Communities do. They don't just sit near the trail. They celebrate and share it.

How are you spending National Trails Day? Drop a comment and tell us where you're headed.

📷 Photo by Erica Bean
📍 Winter Park, CO

06/05/2026

“Many people start out hiking or traveling the CDT and are focused on how conditions on the trail will shape their CDT journey. But so many people discover the inviting, rich culture in these communities that welcome CDT travelers are just as core to the CDT Experience as their time on trail,” said L Fisher, Director of Trail Programs at CDTC.

Read more from the The Leadville Herald Democrat:

Early June is often regarded as the start of summer on the Continental Divide, marked byNational Trails Day on June 6. As melting snow opens access to the high country,

06/05/2026

Colorado has more 14,000-foot peaks than any other state. The Continental Divide Trail spends roughly 740 miles winding right through the heart of them.

So how many does it actually cross? Exactly one.

That's Grays Peak, at 14,278 feet. It's the highest point on the entire CDT, and the highest point on any National Scenic Trail in the country. Its twin, Torreys, is a short walk across the saddle.

But the one summit on the Trail is just where the story starts. Several of Colorado's most famous 14ers rise close enough to bag as a half-day side trip. And a few that look like sure things (yes, including the highest peak in the whole state) aren't on the Divide at all.

The CDT was never meant to be a checklist of summits. It's a long walk along the backbone of the continent, with a few peaks close enough to tempt you off-route. Our new guide breaks down all of them: the one the Trail crosses, the giants worth the detour, and the famous names that don't make the cut.

Read it here: https://ow.ly/xw3m50Z7brW

Which of these have you climbed? Which one's still on your list?

📷 Photo by Greg Spencer
📍 Grays Peak, CO | Ancestral lands of the Ute and Arapaho nations

06/05/2026

"Good trail work is invisible." 🥾⛰️

Have you ever thought about how much effort goes into your favorite hiking spots? In this clip from our film Labor of Love, we get a behind-the-scenes look at the hundreds of hours our incredible volunteers put in to make sure the trail looks completely natural.

Huge shoutout to Canyon, our official "mover of earth and rocks," and all the volunteers who do the heavy lifting in the hot sun! 🙌 Next time you're hiking those tough switchbacks, remember the dedicated folks who built them.

Drop a 👏 in the comments to thank a trail worker today! 👇

06/04/2026

Mark your calendar and take a hike for National Trails Day on June 6!

Created by the American Hiking Society National Trails Day® is an annual call to enjoy your local trails and volunteer your time to advocate and care for public lands.

This year, the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, Continental Divide Trail Coalition, and Pacific Crest Trail Association are coming together to invite you to spend time outdoors and give back to the trails you love.

Learn more about how to show your support for the CDT at cdtcoalition.org/get-involved/

06/03/2026

The Continental Divide Trail Coalition is teaming up with the Ancestral Lands Conservation Corps to host a 50-week AmeriCorps Individual Placement on the CDT in the Montana region!

This is a paid, full-time position based in Helena, MT (hybrid). The role focuses on GIS projects, but you'll collaborate across our whole team to see what really goes into protecting, completing, and elevating a Congressionally designated National Scenic Trail. Our work in Montana is expanding fast, and this placement will have a real, long-term impact on the trail in the region.

If you're looking to build skills, connect with the trail community, and help shape the future of the CDT, this one's for you.

⏰ Deadline to apply: Friday, June 5 — so don't wait!

Full details and the link to apply are on our Employment page: https://cdtcoalition.org/about-us/employment/

06/03/2026

Did you know "biodegradable" doesn't mean "throw it anywhere"? 🍊🤔

Haley from the Continental Divide Trail Coalition (CDTC) breaks down why tossing things like clementine or orange peels on the ground is a major Leave No Trace no-no. Even in dry environments like Colorado, these peels can take over 6 months to completely break down! Worse, food scraps draw wildlife closer to trails and busy roadways, putting both the animals and drivers at risk.

Let's keep our trails clean and our wildlife safe! 🐻🌲 Pack it in, pack it out.

Share this Reel to spread the word to your hiking groups, and tell us below: what's the most surprising "trail trash" you've seen left behind? 👇

06/01/2026

Welcome, Lima, MT to the CDT Gateway Community family!

Our team had an amazing weekend in Lima to welcome the community as an official Gateway Community of the Continental Divide.

Top three reasons to love Lima:

❤️ The community immediately treats you like family.

🗻The scenery from the CDT will take your breath away.

🛌 The local accommodations are charming and cozy. ☕️ 🌯

Check out more Gateway Community info on the website!

06/01/2026

The snow is melting. The Divide is waking up. 🌸

From the desert blooms of New Mexico to the alpine meadows of Montana, the CDT bursts into color every June. Over 3,000 miles and a dozen ecozones means an incredible range of wildflowers:

🌵 Claret cup cactus and cholla in the southern desert 💜 Lupine filling the canyons 🏔️ Paintbrush, columbine, and asters carpeting the high country 🌼 Fireweed and larkspur lighting up the subalpine

We had to make a tough call narrowing these down. So now it’s your turn.

What’s your favorite wildflower along the Divide? Tell us in the comments. 👇

(We know. It’s impossible to pick just one. 🙃)