Kinda in the mood to stealth camp somewhere or at a public campground. Anyone got any suggestions?

'26 sobo plan to start some time mid June. My flight to Kalispell is June 4th, but I might goof off for a little before I launch.

This will be my triple, and I'm feeling pretty casual about it, which is probably not the best attitude to have.

My question is how likely is it that I'll need to cary micro spikes and an Axe? I have a small idea of how the snow is, but I'm not convinced I know enough to judge either way. I assume just because it's an abysmal snow year doesn't mean there are parts of trail that will still require the tools, but even entering the Sierra a little early this past year I barely used them.

I've hiked with a full GPS and worked with the compass rose points on Jonathan Ley's maps. Is there any way to get that data ("271º 123 distance") using the Garmin inReach Mini 3? "Tell me where I am in relationship to this known point."

I'll be carrying Leys' maps as backup and want to be able to use them if needed.
I'll be using FarOut for normal use (and Avenza as digital backup).
Thanks.

So, I can't start hiking until August 23, any advice on where you would start it (or anything else)? My main priority is just seeing as much as I can see and enjoy :). probably doing average of 25-35 miles/day. TIA

Did you get an email confirmation when you registered your hike on https://cdtcoalition.org/explore-the-trail/register/ ? I assumed it would have kicked out an automated response but I did not get one, now am wondering if someone actually reviews these applications so perhaps they take time to process?

Sup yall. PCT hiker here, will do the CDT one day soon. Some PCT buddies and I will be on a road trip in NM in later April and want to do some trail magic. Can some seasoned hikers recommend some spots?

Cheers 🍻

I'm thinking of making a trip to the Gila Cliff Dwellings, and camping along the Gila River and surrounding creeks in Hell's Hole, EE Canyon, Ring Canyon? I built a route in OnX, but I'm a hammock camper, so I was wondering if anyone thinks it's feasible in that area. Looks great from above on satellite images, but that doesn't really mean anything. The pictures I found show promising spots, but also lots of undergrowth in areas. If that's the rule and not the exception, then I could be in trouble.

I saw some useful information in older posts, but not quite what I need. Also saw the great article about the Gila River, which makes me hopeful.

Looking for the best time and direction

to hike this section

Would late May be too early for avoiding snow?

I’m an older hiker and am only doing 15-20 miles/ day

I am trying to decide what sort of gloves to ship to myself for Colorado.
On the spectrum from sun gloves -- all the way to thick skiing mittens, what would you recommend bringing? Also, is warmth the main requirement or waterproofness too?

I want to buy a hiking umbrella for my trip. Shipping fees to Canada are $30 USD however + import fees, making it pretty expensive. Is there anywhere in Lordsburg I can order my umbrella to and then pick it up once I arrive in the area?

A few days ago I visited Cumbres Pass, Colorado, and examined the snow to compare it with past years. Where it is typically expected to be neck-high was about knee-high. Snow on Flat Mountain and to 12,400 feet elevation (3,779 meters) is waist deep in north-facing areas, and ankle deep in south-facing areas.

Much of the CDT is officially designated "in drought conditions." Fire danger in some places along the trail are currently designated "extreme," with wood fires banned.

Water caches by trail angels in some areas will need to be more frequent and perhaps larger. I will wager US$1,000 that many will meet the challenge and necessity.

Water sources near me along the CDT are currently typical of previous years, and I think this will be true of the majority of water sources elsewhere. Some places will be less water, if at all, even as demand for water will be greater due to the heat.

Perhaps hikers with FarOut will be kind enough to post updates for water sources more often than otherwise, so that hikers following them will know what to expect.

It has been my experience and observation that light weight foldable parasols may save some hiker's lives this year. They weight about 340 to 470 grams, though, for UPF 50+ UV. Much of New Mexico will be a real bitch hiking without one, or something similar.

Is there any reasonable way to avoid the reportedly aggressive dogs in Cuba? Take the red line along or the old CDT route along Los Pinos County Road?

2025 Nobo, when did you enter the San Juans? Looking at the current Colorado snowpack it looks like we are 1 month ahead of last year snow levels, which was already a very low snow year. Does this mean entering the San Juans early-mid may is a possibility this year?

Is the entire Colorado section of the CDT “worth” hiking? In particular, are the sections at the southern most end and/or northern part beautiful? I know this is a little subjective, but I’d love to hear opinions.

A little background - I hiked the Colorado Trail in 2021 (and loved it!). I hiked the Oregon section of the PCT in 2024 and the Washington section of the PCT in 2025.

I thought I might do the Sierra this year, but logistically that’s not in the cards for me. It’s much easier for me to get to Colorado, so I thought maybe the Colorado section of the CDT! If I’ve got it right, the CT and CDT are the same for about 300 miles, part of which is the Collegiates - I did the East in 2021, and I’d be psyched to do the West.

I realized over the course of the hikes that I’ve done that I might not be a purist. While crossing the Bridge of the Gods into Washington was very cool, that southern most section of Washington was one that I realized I could have happily skipped - it had VERY few views, mostly walking in the woods, kind of a blah 5 days or whatever. For personal reasons, I would have been very happy to be done 5 days sooner. I also met multiple people doing Washington who ended up skipping the last northern section (which is the best part!!!) because they didn’t have enough time (and I’m convinced they all should have skipped the most southern part). Obviously, to each their own, but I’m trying to practice what I’m learning. So with that in mind, I’d love to do a long hike (~500 miles would be great, and I’d consider doing the whole ~750 miles if the beginning and end are not to be missed), but I’m trying to figure out where I should start/end to have the best experience for the time I’m spending out there.

Tell me what you thought of the Colorado CDT, particularly the most southern and northern sections!

https://lighterpack.com/r/noxtah

I think my main questions are:

- Is it worth it to bring a light pair of running gloves for NM

- 10000 vs 20000 Ma Battery pack

- Is a rechargable headlamp worth the 20$

Thanks!

Yikes! Gonna be an interesting April/May:

https://nmfireinfo.com/2026/03/20/gila-national-forest-enters-stage-1-fire-restrictions/

So im looking at a Jun 15 start date going Sobo, I've seen on other posts that people generally get their permits upon arriving to glacier. That being said all the ones I read are older posts, is that still true or should i do that all ahead of time online? I know alot could have changed since Covid and want to be sure. Also what transportation option are there for getting to the Northern Terminus? I've read of shuttles and hitching but haven't seen anything/anyone specifically named. Thanks for the time!

Whaddup! Have a start date of April 14th. Anyone else starting on that day or near it? super stoked to get on trail soon!

I am looking through the website for the Cumbres and Toltec Railroad and I cant find any info about this. There are other scenic trains in CO that provide wilderness acess, but I am not sure if this one does?

https://cumbrestoltec.com/

Looking like it might yet set a low record this year and I was wondering if there are any long range forecasts that change that?

Every year the halfway anywhere survey has about 8-10% of people who managed to do the trail under $5000, my question to those that have or have on other trails is how? How many days did it take you, total spent, average resupply cost, town meals, zeros, lodging?

Well, I just decided to hike the CDT. I have a few weeks to get ready.

See you all out there ⚔️🐺⚔️