SILVER CITY, N.M. (Apr. 18, 2019) – Each year in late April, a familiar sight starts to fill the streets of Silver City. They carry backpacks and hiking poles, and they can tuck into food like they haven’t eaten in days. They’re the men and women attempting to hike the entirety of the Continental Divide Trail, 3,100-miles running from Mexico to Canada along the spine of the Rocky Mountains.
Silver City was the first official Continental Divide Trail Gateway Community, and for many northbound long-distance hikers, it’s the first town on their route with significant resources to resupply and rest their weary legs. And from April 26-28, the community of Silver City will celebrate that connection to the Continental Divide Trail (CDT) during the 5th annual Continental Divide Trail Days, a festival celebrating the CDT, welcoming those hikers at the start of their long journeys, and highlighting the numerous outdoor recreation opportunities in southern New Mexico.
“As a resident of Silver City, most of my hikes and bike rides either cross or travel along the Continental Divide Trail,” said Martyn Pearson, co-owner of Gila Hike and Bike. “Trail Days provides us with a fantastic opportunity not only to celebrate the long-distance hikers preparing to tackle the entire trail, but also raise awareness about the Continental Divide Trail as a resource to our town. We’re so lucky to have access to the CDT – the more people who know and take advantage of it, the better!”
While the festival is centered around celebrating the Continental Divide Trail, the events are designed so that everyone from seasoned hikers to those who have never even heard of the CDT will find something to enjoy. Events kick off on Friday morning with Talks of the Trail, a series of panels and speakers. Of particular note is the first session of the day, “Life on the Border: Wildlife, Walls, and Water.” Local experts ranging from a jaguar biologist to the founder of the Nuestra Tierra Conservation Project will discuss the ecology, history, and culture of the landscapes that the CDT traverses in the bootheel.
The CDT Community Fiesta will take place at Power & Light Press on Friday evening with free live music and door prizes. Then on Saturday, the main event kicks off with a free pancake breakfast before Gough Park is filled with games and prizes from outdoor gear vendors, local stewardship organizations and businesses, and more. Finally, the 5Points Adventure Film Festival will host its New Mexico premiere as part of Trail Days in the WNMU Global Resource Center on Saturday evening. All Trail Days events except for the film festival are free of charge, and all events are open to the public.
“We can’t wait to host people from around the world to show them what Silver City has to offer,” said Rebecca Martin, Silver City Visitor Center Manager. “From enjoying carefree time with your family and friends to getting out to explore our incredible local trail system, Trail Days offers fun for everyone!
The full schedule of events can be found at continentaldividetrail.org/trail-days.
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About the Continental Divide Trail
The CDT is one of the world’s premiere long-distance trails, stretching 3,100 miles from Mexico to Canada along the Continental Divide. Designated by Congress in 1978, the CDT is the highest, most challenging and most remote of the 11 National Scenic Trails. It provides recreational opportunities ranging from hiking to horseback riding to hunting for thousands of visitors each year. While 95% of the CDT is located on public land, approximately 150 miles are still in need of protection.
About the Continental Divide Trail Coalition
The CDTC was founded in 2012 by volunteers and recreationists hoping to provide a unified voice for the Trail. Working hand-in-hand with the U.S. Forest Service and other federal land management agencies, the CDTC is a non-profit partner supporting stewardship of the CDT. The mission of the CDTC is to complete, promote and protect the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail, a world-class national resource. For more information, please visit continentaldividetrail.org.
