Trail Days 2025: Celebrating Community Along the Divide

By: Becca Olson, CDTC Community Engagement Coordinator

 

Another Trail Days is in the books! After months of planning and coordinating with local partners, the weekend seemed to fly by in the blink of an eye. If there’s one word to sum it all up: memorable. I think everyone in attendance can agree that this year was like never before—one that left a lasting impression on everyone who joined and perfectly celebrated the 10th Anniversary of CDT Trail Days in Silver City.

From sunshine to wind to snow (yes—snow, in southern New Mexico), Silver City definitely left its mark. But as AnneLiese Nachman, vendor and owner of Gila Bend, put it best: “The people who came out were hardy and added to the vibrant energy…”

And hardy and vibrant they were. Despite the mixed bag of weather, the celebrations carried on—along with the laughter, smiles, and unmistakable spirit of the CDT community. Honestly, could we even call ourselves trail people if we didn’t embrace a little chaos from Mother Nature? If there’s one thing I’ve learned working with CDTC, it’s that this community knows how to rally—especially when conditions get interesting.

The festivities may have experienced snow, but they started with sunshine and strong winds. Our 10th annual Trail Days kicked off Thursday night at Open Space Brewing in Santa Clara, where sponsors, community members, and thru-hikers gathered to raise a glass (or two) to the weekend ahead. On tap was Trail Daze Haze, a special brew created by owners Matt and Alexa—and yes, it was just as refreshing as it sounds (even coming from someone who’s not a huge fan of beer).

As conversation flowed and drinks continued to be poured, CDTC Executive Director Teresa Martinez took the mic to welcome special guest Congressman Gabe Vasquez, who offered a warm greeting to attendees and set the tone for the celebration to come by highlighting the importance of protecting public lands and completing the CDT!

Friday marked the official start of Trail Days, bringing blue skies, a warm breeze, and a gathering at the historic Silco Theater. Inside, the air buzzed with anticipation for a full day of presentations from a lineup of inspiring speakers. As each session unfolded, a deep sense of awe, inspiration, and connection to the natural world filled the room.

The Speaker Series opened with a panel featuring Michael Darrow, Cassandra Carmichael, Naomi Hartford, and Marisela La Grave, who explored the intersection of spirituality and the trail and reflected on how faith and deeper meaning are often found in the rhythm of footsteps through forests, deserts, and mountain passes. From the philosophical to the celestial, Zack Stockbridge guided attendees on a journey beyond the horizon, sharing insights into the night sky and all that can be discovered when we pause to look up. To close out the event, Kate Hamilton took us north to the terminus of the CDT, where it meets the Great Divide Trail through the Canadian Rockies. Her presentation traced the trail’s history, discussed its challenges, and offered advice for those eager to explore this rugged and remote stretch of wilderness.

After the speaker series wrapped up, attendees made the arduous one-block trek to The Little Toad Creek Brewery and Distillery to keep the celebration going. Inside, the energy stayed high with more engaging speakers, a taco bar, great company, and even better raffle prizes. Lucky winners walked away with backpacks, dry bags, sleeping pads, a hand-beaded CDT hat and jewelry, and the crown jewel of the night: Teresa Martinez’s legendary CDT apple and green chile pie.

While not everyone struck gold at Friday night’s raffle, Saturday’s vendor festival offered a fresh chance to score some great gear, connect with local artists, and meet passionate organizations doing amazing work. The spirit stayed high—even when the sun disappeared behind a blanket of clouds and big, fluffy snowflakes started falling.

The day began with a warm, music-filled pancake breakfast from TGI Frybread, who flipped flapjacks while dancing to some tunes. Attendees then made their way through Gough Park, where over 50 vendors set up shop, and eventually ended up at Open Space Brewing’s beer garden. There was live music, a radio broadcast, a drawing workshop, mural painting, games, and the annual CDT thru-hiker class photo in front of the iconic Chicano mural.

The cold didn’t stop the fun, but the wind did try and took down at least two tents as folks hunkered down and carried on. But this is a trail community, after all. If there’s one thing we know how to do, it’s roll with the elements and make the most of it. Despite the weather being challenging at times (okay, maybe the entire time), the event was a huge success. People left with new gear, warm bellies, and one shared thought: this weather is definitely not typical for April in Silver City.

As the snow and wind finally relented, the evening transformed into something beautiful and pleasant—a perfect night for the Dark Sky Gathering at Silver City Waterworks. As the sun dipped below the horizon and the stars began to appear, the night sky came alive. Each brushstroke of deep, midnight hues revealed a hidden wonder, as if the sky itself was painting the night.

Facilitating the event, Zack Stockbridge—a previous speaker and current astronomer—guided the gathering with stories, science, and sky-lore, taking attendees on a celestial tour. With telescopes and a keen eye, Zack pointed out planets and constellations, inviting everyone to slow down, look up, and see the CDT from an entirely new perspective—one written in stars. Everyone who joined got a chance to see the stars in a new light, gaining a deeper appreciation for the vastness above and the connection to the CDT that stretches beneath our feet.

For some, the late night gave way to an early morning, as the final events of the weekend kicked off at 8:30 AM with two community hikes and a stewardship project. The first hike, led by Elysha Montoya, Outdoor Educator for Heart of the Gila, took participants on an off-trail adventure through Cherry Creek, a local gem known for its year-round water, abundant wildlife, and the iconic hoodoo rock formations that make the Gila landscape so unique.

The second hike was led by Karla Amador, Oboz Ambassador and founder of the 52 Hike Challenge. Karla guided hikers up Gomez Peak and along the way, attendees got to test out a pair of Oboz hiking shoes and had a chance to find a hidden golden egg containing a $200 gift card from Oboz Footwear and a Kula Cloth. Both groups were rewarded with stunning views of the Gila National Forest and the desert scenery that makes New Mexico truly one-of-a-kind.

For those seeking a different kind of adventure, the Gila Chapter of the Backcountry Horsemen led a stewardship project on the Sycamore Canyon Trail. Attendees lent a hand in light trail maintenance, improving the trail for future visitors. Luckily, the weather was perfect—sunny, warm, and ideal for outdoor work. It was a great way to wrap up a jam-packed, event-filled weekend.

As the dust settled and the excitement of the weekend faded, I found myself reflecting on Trail Days—and on the CDT as a whole. As a first-time attendee and organizer, I was struck by the incredible community this event draws. I wasn’t necessarily surprised, given past experiences with the trail community, which has always been warm, welcoming, and lively. But this event felt different—there was something uniquely special about it.

Maybe it was the genuine kindness I encountered at every turn, or the camaraderie that emerged from braving the elements—whether it was the wind, snow, or both. Maybe it was how easy it was to strike up a conversation and share stories with people I’ve only just met. Or maybe it was all of that and more. But I couldn’t help feeling that I was part of something much bigger than myself.

Trail Days isn’t just a celebration of the Continental Divide Trail—it’s a celebration of the people from all walks of life who share a deep connection to this remarkable 3,100-mile trail. Without those who walk its path, share its stories, and appreciate its beauty, the CDT would simply be a trail. We are its voice, and it’s our responsibility to protect and celebrate this magnificent trail. The 10-year Anniversary of Trail Days marks the beginning of a larger, ongoing celebration that will continue to unfold throughout the year and for many years to come. To wrap up, I’ll ask one final question: see everyone at the same time next year?

 

 

 

THANK YOU to all our sponsors and partners who helped make this year’s celebration possible:

Open Space Brewing (special thanks to Matt and Alexa), The Historic Silco Theater (special thanks to Kim Ryan), Guest Speakers Michael Darrow, Cassandra Carmichael, Naomi Hartford, and Marisela La Grave, Gabriel Vasquez and Team, The Little Toad Creek Brewery and Distillery, the Town of Silver City, Silver City Visitor Center, Silver City Waterworks, all the wonderful vendors who attended, Backcountry Horseman Gila Chapter, Big Agnes, Gila Bend, Heart of the Gila, Katabatic Gear, Mountainsmith, Oboz, Osprey, Readywise Outdoor, Six Moon Designs, Taos Bakes, ULA Equipment

(Also shoutout to Diane’s Bakery, Mint Chip, Whiskey Creek Zocolo and the Co-op for fueling the CDTC staff all weekend long.)