Countdown to CDT 2026
As many of my friends already know, I've been talking about hiking the Continental Divide Trail for months now. Well, the countdown has officially begun!
On April 10th, I'll be taking a Greyhound bus from Phoenix to Lordsburg, New Mexico, where I'll spend the night. Early the next morning, at 6:30 a.m., I'll catch the CDT shuttle to the southern terminus of the trail, near the Mexican border.
From there, I'll begin hiking northbound for approximately four days until I reach Lordsburg again. I'll spend another night in town, resupply, and then continue my journey north.
One of the interesting things about the CDT is that there are numerous alternate routes along the way. For the most part, I plan to stick to the official route, commonly referred to as the "Red Line." One major exception will be the Gila River Alternate, which takes hikers through the spectacular Gila Wilderness in New Mexico.
Over the coming months, I'll make my way north through New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming, Idaho, and Montana, eventually finishing in Waterton, Canada.
It's going to be an incredible adventure, and I have no doubt it'll be one of the most physically and mentally challenging things I've ever attempted.
After months of planning, researching, and dreaming about this hike, it's hard to believe I'm finally just days away from taking my first steps on the CDT.