GOLDEN, Colo. (Mar. 13, 2020) – A notice to CDTC’s community:
In these overwhelming times, we will try to keep this message brief. As you know, the COVID-19 situation is evolving rapidly. If you are planning to spend any time recreating on the CDT, please follow proper sanitation practices and STAY HOME if you are exhibiting symptoms or may have been exposed to COVID-19. While the trail can be a great place to practice social distancing, there is still a risk of transmission, particularly in high-use areas like trailheads and off-trail gathering areas, such as hostels.
We are especially concerned for the safety of those who live and work in trailside communities. These communities are home to vulnerable populations, including the elderly and those without health insurance, and many have limited medical facilities that could become easily overwhelmed. We have issued additional guidance for folks planning a long-distance hike or ride on the CDT in order to help you think through steps you can take to best protect those communities.
To those of you who have no plans to attend any upcoming CDTC events: we wish you and your loved ones well and encourage you to review the World Health Organization’s advice for the public for dealing with COVID-19 here. To those of you who are planning to attend or are considering attending upcoming events – including Continental Divide Trail Days and volunteer projects – please read on.
Continental Divide Trail Days: The Silver City Town Manager has suspended all activities in town-owned spaces (including Gough Park) through the end of April. As such, Continental Divide Trail Days in Silver City will not proceed as planned. We are investigating options to host some of our planned speakers online, and if conditions have significantly improved, we may host a small celebration of some sort in Silver City during the originally scheduled dates for Trail Days (April 24-26). All updates will be posted to our social media channels and to the Trail Days webpage.
Volunteer Projects: Our first volunteer project on the CDT for our 2020 field season is not scheduled to begin until May 2. At this time, volunteer projects will take place as scheduled. Volunteers who are registered for projects directly through CDTC generally receive further details about their project one month before project start; these updates will include guidelines for addressing COVID-19 on their projects. In the month before a project, we will communicate with volunteers about any updates to these guidelines and ask that they follow current CDC guidelines in regards to domestic travel and community spread in choosing whether to join a project. Currently, these guidelines suggest that people in high-risk categories – including older adults and those with underlying medical conditions – should not participate in our volunteer projects. As these guidelines change, we may cancel individual projects outright. In that case, we will notify volunteers of that decision as soon as we are able. Please contact Field Programs Coordinator Gabriel Etengoff at [email protected] with any questions or if you need to cancel your registration.
CDT Gateway Community Events: Several of our CDT Gateway Community Ambassadors have planned small events on the CDT set to take place over the next few weeks. We are providing these volunteers with guidance to help them determine whether or not these events should take place, and will send guidance to all registered participants prior to the events to help them determine whether they should attend.
Southern Terminus Shuttle: Lastly, we are planning to continue the CDT Southern Terminus Shuttle with the utmost concern for the safety of our drivers and shuttle riders. Shuttle riders will receive a separate email detailing the precautions that we are taking as well as the precautions we are asking them to take.
CDTC is doing our due diligence to ensure the safety of our staff, volunteers, event participants, and supporters. As the COVID-19 situation continues to develop, please feel free to contact us at 303.996.2759 (8-4 MT M-F) or [email protected] with any questions or concerns.
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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.
