Newsletter Travellers stories free to your e-mail inbox! Getting to the Continental Divide from Steamboat can mean driving up Rabbit Ears Pass on Highway 40. So remote and inspiring is the route that Land Rover chose it as a challenge for the North American introduction of the Range Rover in 1989, when six Range Rovers became the first vehicles to complete the entire journey. These guides will give you the most accurate way point data for the “official” CDNST route, including water sources, critical intersections and general know where you are or need to be information. Running through the center of the Rocky Mountains, from Canada to Mexico, the Continental Divide separates the watersheds of the Atlantic Ocean and the Pacific Ocean. From top: On the edge of the Red Desert, east of Highway 28 and south of South Pass City; 'smores and bourbon; relaxing after a wet and muddy day at New Mexico's Blue Bird Mesa above Cuba. This is the legendary Continental Divide, also known as the Great Divide. All that’s left today of the Route 66 era are the remains of the old Bluewater Motel, Allen’s Garage, and the Old Crater Trading Post. Colorado Overlander vehicles allow you to follow the rough Forest Service roads that wind up towards these beautiful ridgelines, camp by a mountain stream that was snow only the day before, and hike or explore your way along the Continental Divide Trail. Across the New Mexico Continental Divide on Route 66 Though the village is called home to about 600 people, the community is mostly a cluster closed business and homes, but it still has a school. Downtown is lively during these warm months with live music and a vibrant art community. The eastern 8.6-mile stretch is a divided four-lane road completed in 1951 when several sections of Route 66 in New Mexico were widened. Massive (14,429 ft) allows overlanders a way to meet the Continental Divide for a day, while checking off one of Colorado’s most sought-after 14ers. Sorry guys. Going on an overland adventure across the United States is ... you might even think about taking your whole family along as you attempt a 3,500-mile trip along the Continental Divide from Mexico to Canada. The route will cross the northern end of the Sierra Madre Mountain while skirting the world’s first established wilderness areas—the Gila Wilderness & Aldo Leopold Wilderness. The Continental Divide Hiking Coalition has great resources for trip planning, and we at Colorado Overlander are also available to help answer questions and plan your trip. This year’s journey proved just as challenging, in different ways. In the surrounding Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests, you will find hundreds of primitive campsites available, as well as Dumont Lake Campground which is the perfect basecamp for hiking the section of the trail back up to Rabbit Ears Pass. The route has become quite popular with adventure motorcyclists. Story and images by Jonathan & Roseann Hanson. While thru-hiking any part of this trail can require months of planning and is often subjected to dangerous weather conditions like afternoon lightning storms above treeline, there are many ways to enjoy sections of the trails by accessing it from various points. Though not exceptionally technical, the remote water-less expanses, historical nature, and impressive topography have made this a classic overland track. The historic 138-mile Mojave Road takes visitors back in … The route sections for bicycles only were modified to accommodate motorized vehicles. The hard part for us was finding single track trails. THE CONTINENTAL DIVIDE – COLORADO OVERLANDER EDITION The Continental Divide is an invisible line of staggering importance. The small town of Grand Lake is a gateway to many things. Above: Lunch break along the Alamosa River, Colorado, off FR250, where things got interesting entering southern Colorado’s Rockies and we started climbing over 10,000 feet. … The routes (there are multiple iterations, to allow for "bail outs" if there was too much snow or mud or both along certain passes) were developed over four years by Jim Hyde, owner / operator of the famous RawHyde Adventures, best known for their epic motorcycle tours and training but less-known as having gotten their start at the turn of the current millennium as a 4x4 tour operator. Below: Contemplating a satisfying day, Red Desert, Wyoming. We've added on to this scenic route to lengthen the trip and include a secluded beach camp site where travelers may escape the desert heat. Along the Great Divide Story and images by Jonathan & Roseann Hanson Picture a route two and a half thousand miles long, stretching from Mexico to Canada, traversing Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming, and Montana, with elevations from 4,000 feet to a cloud-scraping 13,000 feet. Whitewater is the lifeblood of the town in the summer, although Monarch Pass and the Continental Divide are just a short drive away. This route, initiated by cyclists almost 20 … Colorado Backcountry Discovery Route - 675 miles through some of the most mountainous trails in Colorado, starting at the Four Corners and winding up to Wyoming. There is also a race call the Tour Divide which is slightly different than the GDMR. Or you could drive your overlanding vehicle to the northern side of the mountain to start from Half-Moon Campground. 2) The Continental Divide Looking to embrace some of the United State’s most rugged terrain, paired with a mix of bright green and dusty desert sights? Just across the Colorado border with New Mexico, the tiny town of Chama offers something new. Background. Description: Jonathan Ley’s Continental Divide Trail kmz file converted to gpx format and divided into 20 track segments of 500 waypoints per track, presented for the southbound traveler. We had many personal expectations riding on this singular overlanding … This year’s journey proved just as challenging, in different ways. The Gila Overland route includes a diverse range of scenery, history, terrain, and backroads found nowhere else in North America. The hard part for us was finding single track trails. Feb 10, 2019 - Last year, the 1600 miles of the RawHyde/Exploring Overland Continental Divide trip proved to be a challenge for the participating vehicles (report here ). According to a Google search, “The Great Continental Divide Adventure Route is a motorized route that follows closely along the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail. Baja is magic, filled with adventure and perfectly bordered by the restless … “Overlanding is all based on this idea of being prepared. Main banner: Sunset over the Colorado Rockies and the Great Divide, from Hartsel, Colorado; our Tacoma and Four Wheel Camper getting its feet muddy, Routt National Forest, Colorado; pronghorn on the way up Hoosier Pass, Colorado; watching the clouds, Dillon Reservoir, Colorado. We're doing this for two reasons. Despite only being at 7,126 feet in elevation itself, Pagosa Springs is just a short drive from Wolf Creek Pass where visitors can take a hike into the San Juan Mountains up to Rock Lake as a perfect 4-mile day hike along the Divide. Landscapes and terrain will include desert, grassland, chaparral, canyon bottoms, and dense forest with elevations ranging from 4,500 to 8,500 feet. The Divide Trail can also be accessed by rugged Buffalo Pass, requiring the 4×4 and high clearance, all of which come standard in a Colorado Overlander vehicle. This road segment is now designated as NM 122 and serves as a frontage road along I-40 from west of Milan to the Continental Divide. Banner: The 2015 group lines up at the start of the Continental Divide Trail at Separ, New Mexico; exploring New Mexico's piñon and juniper highlands, along the Gila National Forest's North Star Mesa and northwards, above Grants; the region has been popular with overlanders for hundreds of years, as we saw proof in graffiti dating from 1894. In no particular order the nine vehicles along this time were: 2008 Ford F As the highest incorporated township in America at 10,151 feet, Leadville offers expansive views of Colorado’s highest peaks. The Cumbres and Toltect Scenic Railroad provides a ride with a steam locomotive for visitors who made be tired of driving. April 30, 2013 . A three mile section can also be hiked from the North Inlet Trailhead. Last year, the 1600 miles of the RawHyde/Exploring Overland Continental Divide trip proved to be a challenge for the participating vehicles (report here). Overland Route descriptions are intended to be an overview of the trail rather than turn-by-turn instructions. The Original Continental Divide is also a great adventure route. The Historic: The Mojave Road, California. This was the first long term overland adventure we had completed as a team and represented two year's worth of intensive planning and preparation. Based upon previous overland adventures and a couple short trial runs on the Continental Divide Run route in Colorado and New Mexico on previous years, we knew we were in for a spectacular experience. The Continental Divide is an invisible line of staggering importance. This ride can be … Having slowed or stopped to take pictures of every sign posted to mark the Continental Divide, we pulled over at Milner Pass, elevation 10,759, in … Below: We encountered plenty of winter-fall trees and enough snow to break out the MaxTrax as well as to turn us around a few times; posing in front of Steamboat Springs' Rabbit Ears Motel, a gem of a place—priced well, on the Yampa River, and across from the hot springs. For more details, there is a 12-page guide on vehicle rentals, accommodations, food, currency, and logistics such in our Overland Sourcebook, 2016 WEST edition (available to order in print or to download for free). Camping near the tiny town of Twin Lakes just outside of Leadville is a great way to start the trail up Mt. You can find info and maps on the Adventure Cycling Association web site. The actual Continental Divide Trail, which traces the crest of our continent, is 3,100 miles long and frequently tops out above 13,000 ft in elevation. In Colorado, most of that dividing happens well above treeline with some of the most expansive views in the state. Travellers Stories / Blogs Exciting, humorous and sometimes terrifying stories from hundreds of intrepid motorcycle adventurers... Grant & Susan Johnson Your hosts' own RTW trip, two up on a BMW R80G/S, '87-98. If you want to add some whitewater adventure to your Continental Divide Overlanding trip, then the town of Salida, on the Arkansas River is the perfect stop. Visit in the fall for spectacular Fall colors over the pass. Landscapes and terrain will include desert, grassland, chaparral, canyon bottoms, wildland burn scars, and dense forest with … It is based loosely on the mountain bike route for the Divide. So remote and inspiring is the route that Land Rover chose it as a challenge for the North American introduction of the Range Rover in 1989, when six Range Rovers became the first vehicles to complete the entire journey. The route has become quite popular with Adventure Motorcyclists. The twisty road is considered to be especially treacherous during the winter months. For a more rugged access point, drive out of town to Williams Creek road, and take a Forest Service road for over twenty miles, soaking in the volcanic peaks and jagged edged wilderness visible in all directions. In the northern section of Colorado, Steamboat Springs still holds tightly to its old west style and history. Located near the southern entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park, it is also the headwaters of the Colorado River and gains its name from the adjacent largest natural body of water in the state. Many of the campgrounds in this section of the high country in Colorado and Wyoming tend to be quite primitive, so having the built-in comfort and preparedness of a Colorado Overlander vehicle is a good thing. Rent your choice of Toyota Tundra, Tacoma or 4runner from Colorado Overlander, then make a plan to camp low, and hike high for the day. This is the legendary Continental Divide, also known as the Great Divide. Below: Aspen Alley greets us in southern Wyoming, just before hitting the Red Desert; red crenellations help give the desert its name; early human hand ax from the region; desert paintbrush blooming after recent rains; the area is crossed by the Oregon Trail. The O riginal Continental Divide is also a great adventure route. There is a popular 28-mile loop in Rocky Mountain National Park for those interested in a backpacking excursion during their overlanding trip from North Inlet Trailhead and Tonahutu Trail. The, RECOMMENDED OVERLAND ROUTES – OVERLANDTRAXX.COM. Drive it and you’ll cross the Continental Divide (three times), the Arctic Circle, and two mountain ranges. Baja California, Mexico. To get to the Continental Divide from Grand Lake, you can simply park your Colorado Overlander Vehicle downtown because part of the Divide actually runs right through the town. As with any remote travel, conditions can change dramatically. The Great Divide Mountain Bike Route is an incredible overlanding trail that very closely follows the Continental Divide Trail. The Shadow of the Rockies overland adventure was a watershed experience for everyone involved. Below are six of the best ‘gateway communities’ to access portions of the trail. In May/June of 2014 and 2015, we gathered two groups of overlanders willing to test out their vehicles, equipment, and skills on a four-wheel-drive journey from Bisbee, Arizona, along the Divide in New Mexico and Colorado, and into Montana if weather permitted. Which is exactly what photographer Olivier de Vaulx did. We suggest you download the Hema Explorer app and Cloud GPS track, as well as source detailed paper maps as an analog backup. The Continental Divide Trail Coalition CDT Map Set represents the entirety of the official Continental Divide National Scenic Trail route at a scale of 1 inch = 1/2 mile. Just across the Colorado border with New Mexico, the tiny town of Chama offers something new. While you are staying in the area around Steamboat Springs, be sure to check out Strawberry Park Hot Springs for a beautiful soak in a natural hot spring. Check for reservations as early as possible, as these access points have become extremely popular over the past few years. The Milky Way seems so close it’s almost unreal. We peddle dreams, the achievable kind, creating an addiction to overland travel. Canon EOS 5D Mark II;  24-10mm f/4 L IS; 300mm f/4 L; EF 15mm f/2.8 fisheye; 70-200mm f/4 L. 2012 Toyota Tacoma Access Cab with Four Wheel Camper Fleet, BFGoodrich All-Terrains, BOSS Suspension, Warn 9000 winch, ARB rear air locker with engine mounted compressor and fill station, MaxTrax, Hi-Lift Jack, 50W Yaesu 2M radio, OCENS satellite phone. First - We'd like to avoid camping in the deserts of New Mexico during July and August. Second - We've been trying to get Bond to go up to Colorado to do some wheeling in the Ouray-Silverton area since 2016 and thought this would be a perfect opportunity. Late summer in the Rockies and the desert southwest rarely disappoint for sheer natural beauty. It is nearly 3,100 miles long and goes from Jasper, Alberta, Canada, to Antelope Wells, New Mexico. It is located on the Continental Divide in the Front Range, west of Denver on U.S. Highway 6 (US 6). The intent was clear. Jim invested thousands of hours in researching and scouting the routes first for adventure motorcyclists and then for four-wheel-drives—and he recruited us to gather up enough overlanders willing to test the waters, or mud and snow, as it turned out. Hiking Mt Elbert (14,433 ft), or the more challenging Mt. It's mostly gravel roads but like Tudelum48 said there are places vehicles can't go. Here we share images from both journeys—the good, the bad, and the muddy. Nov 4, 2019 - Explore – The Great Divide — Exploring Overland In no particular order the nine vehicles along this time were: 2008 Ford F350 6.4 diesel double-cab pickup The path criss-crosses a single geologic feature that rules over most of the North American continent, influencing weather, determining which oceans receive the outflows of thousands of watercourses, creating and dividing habitats—and offering spectacular views to those who challenge its heights. Areas of exploration will include the Gila National Forest’s Black Range and Continental Divide. The highlights of the journey for many of us were the camps under the vast stars of the great American West. The Mountain bike route is called the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route (GDMR). We'll be modifying the existing route of the Continental Divide route. That’s the reason my family and I chose one of the most famous routes: the mythic Continental Divide. Want to help us grow? Continental Divide Run – Shadow of the Rockies. Most of the route is easily navigated in a 4wd vehicle and there are many alternate routes available in case of weather related trail closures. Great Continental Divide Ride - A total of 2,767 miles from Canada to Mexico. Each page displays topographic information, an elevation chart, water sources, and waypoint data. Running through the center of the Rocky Mountains, from Canada to Mexico, the Continental Divide separates the watersheds of the Atlantic Ocean and the Pacific Ocean. Look no further than the Continental Divide.While the exact route has been up for interpretation for a while, to say the least, it’s been narrowed down to key locations and passes. The Ghost Divide Expedition route will include a diverse range of scenery, history, terrain, and backroads found nowhere else in North America. You can also head north into the Park itself. Known for its world-class hot springs and proximity to the San Juan River, Pagosa Springs is an unlikely gateway community for the Continental Divide. I've ridden 1600 miles of it from Canada to Steam Boat Springs,CO. It is based loosely on the mountain bike route for the Divide. Elbert. Take your hands off the wheel and enjoy views of Wolf Creek and the Chama Valley on the way up to the top of Chama Pass at just over 10,000 ft. 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