This area is native to grizzly bear, elk, moose, mountain lion, thick woods, and has some difficult climbing. A quick guide to getting the right bike to tackle the rough conditions of the GDMBR. Great Divide Trail Notes: Nice bike for this ride. Montana also has the toughest downhill on the route — nicknamed "thermarest hill" for all the thermarests it has eaten. You leave Montana crossing the divide into Idaho. If a rider is debilitated in the backcountry, you will want to have at least one person to stay with the injured/sick rider, and another to go for help. Pioneer Mountains Scenic Byway, Section 1, Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge, Section 2, John D. Rockefeller Jr. Memorial Parkway, Section 2, Rio Grande National Forest, Colorado, Section 4, El Malpais National Monument, El Malpais Alternate, Section 5, Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument, Section 6, Pancho Villa State Park, Columbus Alternate, Section 6. I would have hated a 26er. The elevations encountered on Great Divide Canada are relatively low when compared to those along the Great Divide route in the central Rockies of the United States, where riders must tackle mountain passes of nearly 12,000 feet above sea level. The paved Legacy Trail brings riders into Banff and through spectacular scenery to Peter Lougheed Provincial Park. It passes through the most cherished and pristine wild lands remaining… It is also noted for its friendly people. From southern Wyoming to northern New Mexico, you'll be in the Colorado Rockies. 2. Nom : Trace GPS Etherington - Great Divide Trail, itinéraire, parcours.. Départ : Kananaskis Improvement District, Alberta, Canada (50.32749-114.63255) We break off the trail by lunchtime and ascend rock slabs up the side of Silliman. © 1997-2020 Adventure Cycling Association, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA) Rules of the Trail, British Columbia Ministry of Forests, Recreation Sites and Trails, Grand Mesa Uncompaghre and Gunnison National Forests, Antelope Wells and Columbus, New Mexico border crossings, CANADA - Jasper, AB to Roosville, MT (589.1 mi. Where is the Great Divide Trail? There have been days when it has made my head spin, but it will all be well worth it in the end. There have been days when it has made my head spin, but it will all be well worth it in the end. However, some of the toughest climbs are in Montana and New Mexico because of the steepness and the poor road quality. The route cuts through a corner of the Tetons before heading east up over the divide again and then down the west side of the Wind River Range. I would highly recommend this book for anyone interested in doing the Great Divide. The Route. All services are minimal at best, except near larger towns, and cell phone coverage is only about 5 percent of the route. Vittoria Mezcals front and back. A group of us got to see the Great Divide Trail from the prospective of the lake and land. First Previous Next Last. The diverse nature of the regions makes for an incredible visual, sometimes spiritual experience. We also upped the scale to show greater detail aiding your navigation, especially helpful on many of the lesser known roads and trails this route showcases. Make your choice wisely because the alternate route is extremely remote. The 80-mile EVT consists of back country roads, singletrack and community trails. Its not a necessary book to take with you but is helpful and fun to read along. In Sparwood, you can continue on the main route or choose to ride through miles of unbridled wilderness on the Flathead Alternate. If you are planning to go a long way on the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route, you will depend a great deal on your gear. Be aware that snow can occur at any time along the route. The high point on Great Divide Canada, Elk Pass, is a mere 6,443 feet. I am very much looking forward to doing this route. This area is both historically and anthropologically dominated by the rich Native American and southwestern Spanish culture. Learn how to create your own. It's wise to have some back-country camping experience before riding Great Divide Canada, and you'll also want to know the recommended precautions to take when camping and traveling in bear country. Events you might like: Free. As I passed through the Calgary airport, I passed a window display showing a photo of the Canadian Rockies. Like most Canadian trails, particularly those outside the national parks, the GDT is less pronounced and signed than those in the Lower 48. The Tablelands are rugged but not steep. As I described in my first post, the Great Divide Trail (GDT) is very much a “choose your own adventure” kind of trail. The info is invaluable and quite complete. In 1976, we lent support to … Itineraries Planning for a GDT hike is a lot of work and creating a GDT hiking itinerary can be time consuming. The highest pass of the route is Indiana Pass, elevation 11,910 feet, in southern Colorado. The prettiest alpine region on the whole route can be found here. The Great Divide MTB Route (GDMBR) is a 5000km mostly off-road bike touring route that runs from Banff (BC, Canada) in the north, to Antelope Wells in New Mexico at the USA/Canada border in the south. ), 1. Before you reach its end, the booming ski-resort town of Fernie makes a great place for a layover, with its copious motels, sporting goods stores, restaurants, and hiking/mountain-biking trails. Tire liners, such as Mr. Tuffy tire liner strips. Paradoxically, the route feels somewhat more settled, or civilized, than many sections to the south in the United States. This scenic trail runs from the USA/Mexico border into Canada and covers 2,767 miles of spectacular remote wilderness. Share this event. The main route continues south out of Sparwood onto the Elk Valley Trail beginning in the tiny community of  Round Prairie all the way to Elko. After dropping into the twin ghost towns of South Pass and Atlantic City, you will cross the Great Basin — a place of almost no drinkable water and no trees. Date of experience: July 2016. Montana is characterized by mountainous riding in tall forests with occasional dips into small towns. Day One. There is an excellent opportunity to view wildlife such as bear, deer, wild horses, pronghorn antelope, eagles, osprey, sandhill cranes, and other birds and animals. Suspension seatposts, good handlebar grips, and front-suspension forks help smooth out the many miles of washboarded and chuckholed roads. Keri Bowzaylo. Snow or cold rain is possible any day of the year at some of the elevations encountered, and hypothermia is an ever-present possibility. Now the longest rail-trail east of the Mississippi River, the GAP showcases tunnels and viaducts, courses along rivers and across mountain passes, and generally astounds with the … Mosquitoes are a fact of life — take repellent. Expect early evening thunderstorms and cold nighttime temperatures. View Details. A thru hiker of some renown, the 43-year-old Colorado resident first hiked the Pacific Crest Trail in 2011, a feat he has since repeated twice. The Great Divide Trail is over 1,100km long. The GDT is a whole different animal, that’s for sure. The weight of your gear exponentially multiplies the stress of riding steep, fast, rough downhills. Helena, MT to Colter Bay, WY (449.6 mi. Have a look at www.greatdividetrail.com for more history behind the trail… Its remoteness equates with spectacular terrain and scenery. The very name “Great Divide Trail” is a bit of a misnomer, implying a walk on a cleared two-foot-wide strip of dirt. This can include hanging them in a stuff sack from rope slung over a high, isolated tree branch, or storing them in a bear-proof container provided at some campgrounds. Ahhh the High Divide Trail. Read more. The Great Basin in Wyoming and New Mexico both call for long-mileage days and carrying food and water for several days at a time. Incredible aspen stands, huge mountains, beautiful alpine meadow flora, historical tourist towns, and a less remote wilderness setting are the characteristics of this state. Géographiquement, la Great Divide est la ligne de partage des eaux entre l’est et l’ouest de toute l’Amérique du Nord. Rawlins, Wyoming, marks the end of the desert. From May to July 2010, I rode my bicycle 3,000 miles from Antelope Wells, NM to Banff AB, Canada following Adventure Cycling's Great Divide Mountain Bike Route, then to Jasper AB, Canada. Pannier covers, dry bags, and plastic freezer bags all work well to keep the rain and dew off clothing and gear. The route crisscrosses the Continental Divide from north to south starting in Banff, Alberta, Canada and finishing at the US/Mexico border in Antelope Wells, New Mexico. Well-made camping gear is essential for the many nights of high-elevation cold, dew, and rain. The other big town along the route is Butte, which has a definite blue-collar, mining flavor. Tips on what to take as you ride the Great Divide. I oriented myself in my daily cycling using the book “Cycling the Great Divide” which divides the trail into 70 daily legs. Last January, my friend Megan mentioned that she was planning to thru-hike the Great Divide Trail in the summer of 2020, and was happy to have company for some of the sections. The route is near or goes through several national parks such as Glacier, Yellowstone, and Grand Teton. The annual Tour Divide typically follows this route except when detours persist. How long is the Great Divide Trail? Event creator. From Salida, Colorado south to the Mexico border, puncturevine or goat’s-head (Tribulus terrestris L.) is an invasive plant species that produces thumbtack-like burs capable of puncturing bicycle tires. just for geeks. Don't get lost on the GDMBR! Marty Johnson Age 64 / Wichita, Kansas (USA) I’ll be starting my 5th Tour Divide this June. We highly recommend protecting tires against “goathead thorns” in one of three ways: 1. I figured this would be the perfect opportunity to catch up with a friend and challenge myself to a longer trip. A well put together resupply and itinerary are key items, that can effect both the success and ease of your race/tour of the Divide. The route crosses the Continental Divide many times, and the climbing is longer with very steep sections on some of the roads. There is still a lot of planning you should consider doing before you get out on the route. As for a tire recommendation, we recommend a 2.25” width with a low-profile tread pattern and thick sidewalls. Our Tag-along tours provide the safety and professionalism of a long established touring company. First Previous Next Last. About this Itinerary. Which Bike? For thru-hikers, having a plan in place for your support person when you miss a check-in is important. From there it is a sprint south (mostly on pavement) to the border crossing, which consists of one building on the border and nothing else for miles and miles. The Great Allegheny Passage (a 150-mile continuous rail-trail from Pittsburgh to Cumberland) is one of the best touring routes because it goes through many different towns. The Great Divide Trail In late spring 2012, I was doing some work for a long-standing client in Saskatchewan. In 2018, for the 20th anniversary of the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route, we completely redesigned the maps. This route is defined by the word "remote." If it is a heavy snow year, high-elevation roads in the north may not be open until late June or early July. The route is rich in history, with ghost towns, deserted mines, wagon routes, and old Spanish land grants. Chris Seistrup from Arizona was the first to finish this year's race with a time of 15 days 11 hours and 24 minutes. We follow the divide, maintaining our hard-earned altitude. Trailers also work well and lighten the rear triangle of the bike. Geisinger Trail Notes: on the Geisinger trails, I realized that my seat was a little bit high because it was still set up for the Great Divide Ride, which was much less technical. It is a great trail that many people have on their backpacking bucket list. To assist with your trip planning, the attached spreadsheet contains 3 sample itineraries – Relaxed (75 days), Average (50 days) and Fast (38 days). Leave an itinerary with a trusted person at home. The pace of the book is somewhat slower than we did but I was still able to follow it and it was very helpful in knowing what to expect of the terrain and the upcoming highlights of the trip. Itinerary This itinerary is a good starting point for the average thru-hiker. Wind really isn't a factor along the route because you spend a lot of time in the cover of trees, with the exception of the Great Basin area. Roads are impassable until they dry out. This is Section F, the second northernmost section of it. Also be aware that showers, flush toilets, potable water, and laundromats can be few and far between. I was able to obtain a permit at the Canyon Creek campsite for a night and let me tell you that this was a huge mistake. It is a route to be enjoyed for its diversity. The process of planning a trip of this kind can be time consuming and stressful. Store all food, garbage, and other attractants in a bear-resistant manner, well away from your tent. After taking in the views, it is a steep ~2 mile hike down to Holly Lake. Sign up and get new stories and inspiration delivered right to you. To assist with your trip planning, the attached spreadsheet contains 3 sample itineraries – Relaxed (75 days), Average (50 days) and Fast (38 days). There is still a lot of planning you should consider doing before you get out on the route. The Great Divide Trail is roughly 1200km long and journeys from the US border down in Waterton National Park and finishes at Kakwa Lakes (but then you still have to hike to the highway to get out!) Getting up and riding early to avoid the afternoon thundershowers is advisable. A wide variety of road conditions exists along this route. Rawlins, WY: Rose's Lariat. It runs through a scenic drainage called the “Serengeti of North America” by biologists for its unrivaled wildlife populations, and it’s the last major valley in British Columbia to be completely undeveloped. So you might want to book a site in Mt. Beginning at the Canadian border and heading south to Helena, Montana, you are in the deep woods and steep mountains near Glacier National Park and the Bob Marshall Wilderness. In total, it has over 200,000 feet of elevation gain. The entire route is basically dirt-road and mountain-pass riding every day. Itinerary. That said, nylon pivots of some full-suspension bikes wear out extremely fast and are not recommended. Big northwest winds blow across vast open territory marked with wild horses and antelope. The length depends on your itinerary, pace, and trail conditions. Climbs get shorter and steeper. By route's end a thru-rider will climb nearly 200,000 feet of vertical (equivalent to summiting Mount Everest from sea-level 7 times). Fortunately, things are starting to shape up for a great summer on the trail. Write a review . The cooperation of two countries is an important feat. Great Divide Trail is a GPS- and map-based guide for your hiking trip on Canada's majestic 1,120-km (700-mile) Great Divide Trail. Do I need a permit to hike the Great Divide Trail? Download . While in many places there is a single route for the trail, there are many alternatives to choose from along the way. Grants, NM to Antelope Wells, NM (394.4 mi.). Day 2: We spend our second day entirely off-trail, crossing the barren Tablelands, making our way toward Lonely Lake. And in New Mexico you'll be carrying extra food and water for the serviceless stretches. The remainder is 60 miles of singletrack trails and 950 miles of paved roads including close to 50 miles of paved bike paths. À l’est, l’eau coule vers les océans Arctique ou Atlantique et, à l’ouest, vers le Pacifique. It's a six-mile ride from one trailhead to the other that would require more than 200 miles of driving if you had to do it in a car on roads! While in many places there is a single route for the trail, there are many alternatives to choose from along the way. It's called the Great Divide Trail (GDT), and because it winds through big, rough country, it's not for the unprepared. Don't miss it. As a rule, if you're not riding uphill, then you're headed downhill. End your memorable Great Divide Tour in the secluded depths of a grand canyon complete with its descending stone stairs and trail constructed in 1907. ), 3. Welcome to Great Divide 4WD Tag Along Tours. Because June is typically a wet month in the northern Rockies, and often a cold one at the higher elevations, we recommend that you do not attempt to ride prior to late June or early July. Suspension equipment on the bicycle helps to mitigate the abusive nature of the terrain. The Tour Divide roughly follows the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route (GDMBR) is the most recognized and important off-pavement cycling route in the United States, if not the world. The Great Divide Mountain Bike Route is extremely hard on equipment. Farther on there's the unforgetable sensation of riding on the crest of the divide for several miles. Here the countryside turns much drier, and water sources can be few and far between. The GDT is a whole different animal, that’s for sure. Drops of rain that fall on your left side flow into the Atlantic or the Gulf of Mexico. ).The map set is 87 pages at 1:50,000 scale. On the other hand you’ll reference your resupply list multiple times a day. Its remoteness equates with spectacular terrain and scenery. You then hit an extremely picturesque section of high desert following the Lander cutoff — part of one of the westward wagon routes. You may also wish to sign up with Warmshowers, a reciprocal hospitality site for bicycle travelers, for other overnight options. From there, a tough climb up and over the Great Divide via a powerline route through the Elk Pass delivers you to Elk Lakes Provincial Park. With the exception of the Great Basin in Wyoming, you will be either gaining elevation, or descending, for the entire route. They tend to be extremely small and often have limited services. Towns are spaced every two to three days along most of the route. Sunday, March 29, 2020 The GDT uses a patchwork of shorter trails, some of which are well-maintained and popular and some of which are the exact opposite. You are only in Idaho for 76 miles and ride along some blue-ribbon fishing streams and an old railroad bed on the west side of Yellowstone National Park. This is one of the cutest places to eat on the entire great divide trail. We feel the best bike for the route is a hardtail with front suspension or a drop bar adventure bike with wider tires. Since I was determined to explore the majority of the Olympic Peninsula this summer, I decided that I NEEDED to complete this trail. Hiking the Great Divide Trail was more straight-forward back in 1987 when uber-backpacker Chris Townsend completed a 900-mile trip from Waterton to the Yukon in a single season. To Grizzly bear, elk, moose, mountain lion, thick,...... ( www.bvmba.org ) Please consider joining or donating to the local riding to... 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