GOLDEN, Colo. (March. 12, 2021) – As the peak outdoor recreation season commences for the year, the Continental Divide Trail Coalition would like to remind travelers that CDTC and our partners are not able to provide any form of support for hikers in Southern New Mexico at this time, due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The water caches between the Crazy Cook monument and Lordsburg are not being maintained, nor do we have staff on the ground to help with emergencies. In an emergency, please dial 911, which will connect you to the local first responders. In the bootheel, the first responders are the U.S. Border Patrol.
As we have already fielded some distress calls this year, we want to reiterate that we are not on the ground locally to help. While we are grateful to the private citizens who have driven travelers to the Crazy Cook monument, these acts of generosity should not be seen as an on-demand service, nor should travelers expect that these volunteers are available for additional help. The Continental Divide Trail is often extremely remote and Southern New Mexico is particularly dry this year. Please make sure that you are prepared with extra water and knowledge of backcountry safety. If you do not feel confident traveling in the bootheel but intend to hike in Southern New Mexico, consider starting from Lordsburg and continuing north, where water resources are, while still limited, more ample than in the bootheel.
CDTC follows all local, state and national health experts on what activities are permitted during the Covid-19 pandemic, including the state-level guidance linked on our Closures & Notices page. Whether you’re planning an afternoon trail ride or a multiday backpacking trip, please make sure you’re up to date on these requirements and recommendations, which may vary day-to-day, county-to-county, or state-to-state.
Most importantly, if you are exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 or may have been exposed, please STAY HOME. Our top priority will always be the safety of trail travelers and community members along the Continental Divide corridor, particularly those who reside in rural communities that lack extensive access to healthcare. The Continental Divide Trail can be extremely remote and lacks the access to resources that travelers might find on trails in more populated regions. If you become ill while recreating on the trail, it may be a far way to the next road crossing, and farther still to a medical facility. Per the Center for Disease Control guidelines, vaccinated individuals should still exercise safety precautions, such as wearing masks.
While we look forward to an eventual return to normal, we want to send a warm reminder that the trail isn’t going anywhere. No vacation is worth compromising your health or the health of others.
If you choose to recreate along the Divide this year, please make choices that reduce risk to yourself and others. Recreating close to your home, doing day trips or short sections, having a family member resupply you, carrying extra food to avoid a town trip, or caching supplies may be some ways to minimize human contact. Please also be aware that some businesses and individuals who have historically catered to CDT travelers may not be available. Please take care not to put yourself in an unsafe situation by relying on services that may not be open. We also strongly encourage the following steps, both for our volunteer and staff trail projects, and for other CDT users:
- Be prepared for greater self-reliance on the CDT than in recent years, particularly in Southern New Mexico. Due to limited support available from CDTC and other organizations, outside help will be at a minimum.
- Follow proper sanitation and physical distancing practices. In addition to your usual gear, bring a mask and enough hand sanitizer to keep yourself and others safe if you cannot maintain physical distance on the trail. If you stop somewhere before or after your trip, wash your hands, be respectful and mindful of any local restrictions or recommendations, and wear your mask in public.
- Pick the right route. Check our Closures and Alerts page before deciding where to hike in case of closures or other restrictions, and have a Plan B in case you arrive at a full parking lot or otherwise crowded area. Observe all local and state travel restrictions and recommendations.
- As always, be prepared so you can leave no trace. Trash cans, trailhead restrooms, and other facilities may be closed. Bring a trowel to bury #2s and bring a trash bag or ziploc to pack out ALL of your trash! Download or print our free maps for the area you’ll be traveling in and bring a first aid kit that you are prepared to use. Search and rescue may have limited resources.
This year, especially, conditions are changing daily and rapidly, and we’ll continue to update you on a monthly basis as we enter peak season for recreation along the Divide.
Until we can next see you on the trail, we wish you well.
Local updates can be found on our Closures and Alerts page. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact us at [email protected].
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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.
