New Mexico Leaders Voice Support for the Long-Distance Trail on the Continental Divide
On January 10, the Hidalgo County Commissioner signed a resolution making Hidalgo County the next Gateway Community of the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail (CDT). The decision marks a significant milestone in the region’s commitment to promoting outdoor recreation, community engagement, and economic development.
A CDT Gateway Community designation officially recognizes Hidalgo County as a vital community within the 3,100-mile-long CDT corridor that is welcoming trail enthusiasts, outdoor recreationists, and travelers worldwide.
“When we first identified outdoor recreation as an opportunity for community wellness and local small business development, we knew immediately that becoming a Gateway Community for the Continental Divide Trail was the top of our first set of priorities,” said Christine Ortiz, Explore Hidalgo County Outdoors (EHCO) Co-Founder & Coordinator.
The CDT Gateway Community program was launched in 2013 by the Continental Divide Trail Coalition (CDTC) and is designed to work in collaboration with communities that can benefit from their proximity to the iconic trail. Gateway Communities are recognized for their role in promoting awareness and stewardship of the CDT and creating a welcoming environment for travelers.
As a designated CDT Gateway Community, Hidalgo County will join a network of twenty communities in New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming, Idaho, and Montana dedicated to supporting and enhancing the Continental Divide Trail experience. Hidalgo County hosts the southernmost trailhead for the National Historic Trail, 82 of the most rustic miles of the journey, and a town nearly every thru-hiker visits twice: Lordsburg.
“EHCO has spent a lot of time working with CDTC Director Teresa Martinez and her incredibly supportive staff to make this happen and to unlock the resources and connections that come with being a designated CDT Gateway Community,” Ortiz added.
Key initiatives of Hidalgo County as a CDT Gateway Community will be enhancing trail access, promoting local businesses, organizing community events, and fostering partnerships with trail organizations, land managers, and stakeholders. These efforts are aimed at creating a welcoming and supportive environment for CDT enthusiasts while preserving the region’s natural resources and heritage.
CDTC Executive Director Teresa Martinez (she/her/ella) also attended the meeting with Hidalgo County Commissioners. Though CDT Gateway Communities are typically individual towns, Hidalgo County is now one of only two counties to receive the designation, joining Lemhi County in Idaho.
“It is monumental to have this unique place designated as a Gateway Community, and we welcome Hidalgo County to the other communities along CDT– whether officially designated or not– that knit together these nationally significant natural, cultural, and historic landscapes of the Continental Divide,” Martinez said.
New Mexico’s Senator Martin Heinrich also supports the designation as a means to honor a distinct part of the state, promote access, and enhance economic opportunities.
“As home to the start of the trail, it is only fitting for New Mexico’s Hidalgo County to be an official CDT Gateway Community,” stated Senator Heinrich. “This designation will attract more CDT thru-hikers and other trail users to explore the natural beauty of our state’s Bootheel Region, from the Chihuahuan Desert to the Big Hatchet Mountains, while also boosting local businesses and economic development. To improve the accessibility and quality of this National Scenic Trail that connects Americans to landscapes across New Mexico and four other Western states, I also remain committed to passing my bipartisan Continental Divide Trail Completion Act in Congress.”
As Hidalgo County embarks on this new chapter as a CDT Gateway Community, residents, businesses, and organizations are encouraged to participate actively, contribute ideas, and engage in collaborative efforts to maximize the benefits and opportunities associated with this designation.
“We look forward to working with the CDTC, thru-hikers, and other visitors to this area, along with our community partners and local vendors, to transition opportunities into real results in wellness and business development here in Hidalgo County, NM,” said Ortiz. “We want to thank the Hidalgo County Commission and County Manager Tisha Green for their work on this initiative and the adoption of this resolution and of course all of our other partners for their outstanding support throughout the journey. This may just be one step but it is a mighty big one.”
###
About the CDT Completion Act
Introduced in 2023 by Senator Heinrich (New Mexico) and Senator Daines (Montana), the legislation will help support agencies, partners, and local communities to coordinate the stewardship of lands where gaps still exist along the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail (CDT), prioritizing completion by the trail’s 50th anniversary in 2028.
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.
