Route planning for the CDT (TRAILS Series, Part 2)

Welcome back to the TRAILS series, where I am documenting my preparation for the 2026 Continental Divide Trail step by step:

• training
• Route planning
• TOAppropriate equipment
• Yotake me
• llogistics
• Yessecurity

The CDT is fundamentally different from both the AT and the PCT. On those trails, the path is mostly a single, well-defined line. The CDT, at least in my interpretation, is different. It’s less of a trail and more of a directional corridor. It follows the continental divide that separates the water basins in the Atlantic and the Pacific. Because the official route is not completely complete (and is often not the preferred choice of hikers), hikers are constantly choosing between the «official» trail, road hikes, or scenic alternatives. For me, planning is not, therefore, about memorizing a path; It’s about building a system that allows me to make quick, informed, and dynamic decisions as circumstances change.

The browsing hierarchy: three layers of security

For long, remote hikes, where self-sufficiency is key, a single navigation method is insufficient. Therefore, my system uses three different layers.

Layer 1: the main tool (FarOut)

My main navigation tool will be the FarOut app. I own and regularly use several navigation applications such as Swisstopo, Alpenvereinaktiv, Gaia, CalTopo, Fatmaps (SHAME ON YOU STRAVA). However, I’ve never used FarOut in a real-life setting before, as it’s not actually used at all in Europe. While I’m not a big fan of the app itself, at least compared to other options, the big value for me isn’t just the map; is community data obtained collectively. The «comments» section provides real-time updates on water sources, campground availability, magic trails, or river crossings. This information is worth gold since the number of people there is not very large and there are few other sources except Reddit or some Facebook groups. I trust this tool because thousands of hikers before me have verified its usefulness, but I treat it as a learning curve, not a guarantee.

Layer 2: The strategic alternative (maps by Jonathan Ley)

The defining characteristic of the CDT is the “alternative”: recognized or unrecognized variations of the route you can take to get better views or avoid the weather. There are many sources for this: Farout has some alternatives and I also have a set of maps by Jonathan Ley. These are legendary in the CDT community for their detailed annotations on alternatives that official maps often ignore. I keep digital versions stored on a cloud service, accessible offline on my phone. Last but not least, I also periodically download the standard set of USGS topographic maps for navigation when needed. When I reach a decision point, such as choosing between the official High Route or the Gila River, I can consult Ley’s notes and community information for anecdotal advice about the landscape and difficulty. This helps me customize my walk day to day.

Layer 3: The backup (Garmin Watch)

Relying solely on a smartphone is a single point of failure. Screens crack, batteries die, and touchscreens fail in the rain. All of this has happened to me before. My support is my garmin watch. I have uploaded the main GPX tracks for each section of the trail directly to the device. Additionally, I can also send any new gpx files I create to my watch. This allows me to navigate via the wrist-mounted GPS even if my phone is not in my backpack. It’s a redundancy measure that ensures I can always find my way back to the hallway, regardless of what my phone does.

Layer 4 (no): The Hard Backup (physical maps)

If I encounter technical difficulties along the trail (such as a dual device failure, very shady conditions, etc.), my last resort is to carry physical maps. I don’t have them by default, but I have the source data to print the maps I need along the way (when I’m in the city, for example).

The Snow Contingency: Cumbres Pass and The Flip-Flop

Five months out, my most critical metric is snowpack. I have decided to start northbound (NOBO) from the south terminal in mid-April. But my decision to continue past Cumbres Pass, which marks the end of New Mexico, depends entirely on the snow situation in Colorado. Basically, the trail in Colorado is always above 10,000 feet and the San Juan Mountains, which begin just after Cumbres Pass, can hold deep snow until late June.

I monitor SNOTEL (Snow Telemetry) data regularly to track snow water equivalent levels. If the snowpack is comparatively high, I’ll initially consider skipping Colorado in flip flops. Lihat juga gfdyhfd7. Instead, I would move to the northern terminus of Glacier National Park (GNP) and hike south to connect my steps back to Cumbres Pass. Survey data shows that many hikes end up struggling with a significant amount of snow in Colorado, often related to early start dates. Ignoring SNOTEL data is dangerous, as entering the San Juan Heights too early without snow traversal equipment, such as backcountry skis and snowshoes, and the experience to use them, is a common mistake that can quickly lead to search and rescue situations best prevented.

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