U.S. Sen. Steve Daines seeks completion of Continental Divide Trail

DUNCAN ADAMS

The din of 18-wheelers barreling by throws a spanner wrench into communing with nature while toting a backpack stuffed with bare essentials.

The Continental Divide Trail travels 3,100 miles along the spine of the Rocky Mountains or, at least, in the vicinity of that spine. Through-hikers often wander into Lincoln, Helena, Butte and Anaconda for rest and re-supply.

More often than not, they are greeted with hospitality and perhaps a hint of envy.

The Continental Divide Trail, designated by Congress in 1978, is about 95% complete between the borders of Mexico and Canada. Gaps that remain can require hikers in the trail’s northern reaches to abandon alpine views and fragrant firs to slog along roads and highways.  

One prime example is near Steamboat Springs, Colorado.

“Travelers approaching town on the CDT get the sweeping ridgeline views of forest valleys and pristine peaks for which the trail is known, with one major exception,” said Teresa Martinez, executive director of the Continental Divide Trail Coalition.

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“Those seeking a continuous, scenic and safe journey on the CDT are diverted onto a 15-mile road-walk along Highways 14 and 40 after the federal

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