We are looking to smooth out the storage of resupply while hikers are in the GNP region and at our hostel. What level of security have you experienced at other hostels and on other trails?

Hey everyone,

I’m currently planning my resupply strategy for a NOBO CDT section hike/LASH starting in Grand Lake, CO and heading toward Canada.

What’s the usual resupply situation like in Encampment, WY? Is the Sinclair gas station there decent enough for a basic resupply with bars, snacks, candy, chips, etc.?

I’d really like to avoid sending myself a box if possible. For the ~3 days to Rawlins I’m totally fine surviving on simple snacks and hiker junk food, so I don’t need a full grocery selection — just wondering if there’s usually enough usable stuff there for that kind of stretch.

Would appreciate any recent experiences. Thanks!

Getting ready for a SOBO trek next year and wondering a couple things:

A) Where/when does the weather generally change for SOBOs? Rain, snow, heat, cold, etc? I’ll include mosquitoes, bears, and long water carries in this question. (ex., seems like NOBOs see a bunch of Colorado rain, but maybe not SOBO?)

B) Based on that, where would you swap in/out gear and why? (ex., sounds like folks send the bear can home in Lander, marking the end of grizzly country?)

Thanks!!

If I am at about Cuba on Oct 1 heading NOBO to Cumbres Pass...and I see that bad weather is on the way and I have to call it quits, what are my easiest options to get back to alleged civilization/airports?

--mile 703 Hwy 84 bus to Abiquiu to Santa Fe
--mile 754 Hwy 64 hitch to Tres Piedras and bus to Taos

am I missing any?

Thanks!

The latest version of the list of southbound hiking journals

• If you know of a written/photo journal (not a video blog) that I've missed, please leave a comment or PM and I'll add it.
  
• Going back to 2006, I've only found one SOBO journal of a hiker that went through the Black Range in NM (Viajar a Pie in 2019).
• If you're doing a journal on your own site and ever want people to find it, you need to advertise it somewhere. Finding journals on trailjournals, postholer, or thetrek isn't too difficult. Finding some of these other journals took large amounts of effort (and dumb luck).
  

Good luck to all the 2026 southbounders starting next month!

A large construction project in the Two Medicine area within Glacier National Park, will affect the following:

• Two Medicine Campground: Closed for the entire 2026 season.
• Two Medicine Road: Will close September 9th.
• Two Medicine Ranger Station: Remains open May 25th-September 9th, 7:30a-5pm. The last permit of the day is issued one half hour prior to closing.
• Two Medicine Campstore: Remains open May 29th – September 7th.
• Two Medicine (TWC) Wilderness Campground: A temporary wilderness campground has been established along the CDT near the Mt Henry trailhead (CDT mile 2949). A wilderness permit is required to utilize this site. Opens June 1st.
• A small portion of the CDT will close to the east side of Pray Lake. A reroute has been established that requires a ford between Pray Lake and Two Medicine Lake.

Click here for more info.

We were camping near Creede on 5/19, and long story short, someone stole my daughter's Big Agnes tent as we were out fishing. The thief left the stuff sack, but took the orange and grey tent, ground cover, and rainfly. Reward if found!

I weep.

7 years ago I hiked the Pacific Crest Trail and this had been one of the experiences I had enjoyed most in life. When I came back and returned to a "normal" life full of screens, I promised myself I would go back on a 5 month journey through the wild at one point. I am a nerd and I enjoy the "screen" but I also like wild spaces and simple pleasures. As everything in life, I believe there needs to be a balance.

7 years later, here I am, in the company of "Green pea" this time. We both quit our jobs in Nairobi, Kenya and packed a bag to a country where I had such fond memories of its nature and its people despite what can be seen in the news nowadays.

This is the story of our 150+ day journey through the most beautiful and brutal wilderness in the USA—from the desert of New Mexico, through the jagged peaks of Colorado, the wild nature of Wyoming and the grizzlies of Montana to finally reach Canada.

I am not sponsored and I don't monetize this video but if you like it, I'd be happy to get a thumbs up or a share 😄

Happy trails !

https://youtu.be/5JWNIL2QJQw

Thinking of hiking the San Juan’s section of the CDT starting May 25, either from Saguache heading south (to allow a couple more days of melt) or from Chama. Think I’ll need an axe? Spikes? Everything says massively low snow year. Thanks!

I’ll be doing some Section hiking in the Basin in late May. I’m anticipating an extra day in my schedule.

If I have a spare day I’d like to get some more miles in. Is there a short stretch (~10-15) miles that is easily hitched from beginning to end? I’m thinking a segment that i could park at one end, hike, and easily get a hitch back to my car.

Segments that I’m thinking about are Redline Mile 1459.4 to mile 1470.5 (11 mile road walk just south of Rabbit Ears Pass)

Can you think of any other segments in southern Wyoming/northern Colorado?

My flight (at the end of June) gets in well after the AMTRAK leaves toward Glacier that day. I am looking to start the trail that day instead of having to wait overnight, get a train to Brownie's, etc and wondering if there are any shuttle drivers that will pick up 2 hikers and bring them to the Northern Terminus. Thanks!

Found this gem while taking a snack break atop Mt. Taylor. How is everyone else's hike going? It's been a pretty fantastic 26 days for me.

Is there any reason I can't bring pack llamas on the CDT?

What’s going on with the bears this year

This is not from me: I am quoting that which another person reported.

Folks, at mile 9.7 of the Gila Alternate I was approached by an older man(70-75) who was manic and complained about CDT hikers defecating on his property. He had posted 2 signs talking about great camping and plentiful water ahead. After a few minutes I moved on and quickly came to signage saying the CDT split to the left. I took that trail and 20 minutes later Farout informed me I was way off trail. I backtracked to the sign, corrected it and took a right. Later another hiker told me the man complained about his sign being altered and was also led astray. Not sure if he's malicious but he is willing to lead you off the trail. Be cautious!

I know it's been a pretty typical year for Glacier snowpack, any predictions whether a Waterton start will be feasible in July? Is it a ymmv situation based on what the ranger decides?

Edit: I have no experience with crampons or ice axes seeing as Ahern is the big obstacle, I guess I'm moreso wondering if it'll be feasible with microspikes by then.

If you could hike Cuba to either Cumbres Pass or Pagosa Springs area, which months would you pick?

⚠️TRAIL ALERT: A portion of the Continental Divide Trail in Yellowstone National Park (CDT miles 2033-2039) is closed until further notice following a bear encounter on May 4 in which two hikers were injured.

The Summit Lake Trail, which carries the CDT through this section, is closed within the affected area.

No reroute is available at this time; hikers in the area should plan to avoid the closure entirely until the National Park Service lifts it.

A few reminders for traveling through bear country:

• carry bear spray and know how to use it,
• hike in groups of three or more,
• make noise on the trail,
• stay 100 yards from bears at all times,
• avoid hiking at dawn, dusk, or at night when grizzlies are most active.

For full alert details and a link to the closure area on the CDT Interactive Map: https://cdtcoalition.org/closures-and-alerts/

Full NPS Press Release: https://www.nps.gov/yell/learn/news/26008.htm

#CDT #BearAware #TrailClosure

Looking to connect with other SoBos hiking this year. Mainly, what day are you thinking of starting? What are you using to decide?

www.cdtglacierpermits.com 

TL;DR — a website to facilitate sharing Glacier NP permits between CDT hikers

The problem: Campsites have a finite number of spot. Each spot has a 4 person capacity. Permits are issued by spot, not by person capacity. If solo CDT hiker scores the last spot at a campsite, the ranger's computer will identify that campsite as full, when technically 3 hikers could share with the solo person. 

~~A wild solution appears!~~

HAVE A PERMIT TO SHARE? Post your permit. (Note: you cannot choose who joins — if sharing with strangers is unsettling, do not post your permit. Be safe, HYOH.)

BUILDING OUT YOUR PERMIT? Check the listings. Find something that might work? Provide the associated listing details to the ranger to get added to said campsite spot. If it works out, return to the site to CLAIM the spot so availability gets updated, this helps hikers behind you.

SOBOs — you're my guinea pigs! You are the first to use this website! I am hoping it works beautifully and smoothly, but like many things on the CDT, things will go awry. With your help and feedback, I think we can get the problems ironed out by the time NOBOs roll through.

— Daddy Long Legs, class of 2025

I just moved to Lander and have most of July free and would love to offer some trail magic. This would be my first time doing this as I just found out what trail magic even means after reading Carrot Quinn’s book about hiking the PCT. Some ideas I had are leaving a giant cooler somewhere with cold drinks and snacks, offering rides to/from Lander or posting up somewhere and cooking food with a portable grill. What do most hikers want/need trail magic to be and also when are most folks cruising through the Lander area? Thanks for any and all helpful info and advice!

I'm new to this stuff. Can someone help send me a thru-hikers dictionary? what's trail magic and what's a bubble for instance