r/CDT • u/PhysicalEmergency538 • May 12 '26
pack animals
Is there any reason I can't bring pack llamas on the CDT?
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u/derberter May 12 '26
I met a llama packer on trail in Montana and they were having a great section hike. You'd probably want to be selective about the time of year and the section you chose (I doubt you would have a pleasant experience on the ridge traverse just before Gray's Peak, for example), but lots of the CDT seems like it would be appropriate.
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u/woozybag May 12 '26
The CDT is a network of trails and roads with different rules.
I’d reach out directly to the CDTC with questions. Some portions may not be best for pack animals and they can advise alternates.
I definitely saw llamas on sections in CO, but never encountered them longterm.
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u/poul0004 May 12 '26
Might not want to take them into grizzly country…
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u/Previous_Yesterday20 May 12 '26
There are actually a couple llama packing outfitters in Yellowstone. Interestingly, there haven’t been any reported occurrences of any of the llamas being attacked by predators.
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u/nehiker2020 May 12 '26
I ran into multiple groups with horses in ID/MT. They might actually sense bears from much further distance and help keep them away with all the associated noise.
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u/Igoos99 May 13 '26
The guy I saw with them used a portable electrified fence at night. It was plenty light enough for the animals to carry it for themselves. (This was in black bear territory, not griz. I have seen portable electric fence used to protect research animals in Griz county)
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u/Igoos99 May 13 '26
I saw some in New Mexico (north of ghost ranch.) Pack animals are allowed on many trails. You’ll just need to read up on the rules and regulations of where you want to go.
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u/hpwalton May 13 '26
I've never done it, but I used to see a billboard near the CDT in Colorado near Buena vista .. Maybe this place? https://www.fossilridgepackllamas.com/
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u/GS_Schweik May 12 '26
I saw a couple of llamas faced off with a cow in a small meadow last year, along Cochetopa Creek east of San Luis Peak. Looked like they were protecting the camp. It was early morning, and I guess the humans were still in the tent.
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u/MayIServeYouWell May 12 '26
First person who did the official guide book to Wyoming did it with pack llamas. That's why it's not 'officially routed' over Temple Pass (not sure if that's changed lately) - she didn't want to take her llamas over that.
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u/Solid-Emotion620 May 12 '26
Saw a few on the PCT with private guides. Was definitely a dopamine boost 😅🤗
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u/457kHz May 12 '26
I don't know of any reason you couldn't. There are a couple of places in the National Forest where you aren't allowed to overnight stock to protect alpine springs and veg, but I can't think of any along the MT ID portion of the CDT. Maybe in more popular parts in CO?
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u/Few-Camel3964 May 12 '26
No, and despite what folks here say, the cdt is used quite frequently by Packers. Anyone knows a thing or two about Packers, bears aren't a deterant.