The Forest Service, in consultation with the Society and other interested parties, completed its initial route selection process and dedicated the first official segment of the CDT in 1989. Glacier National Park:  Glacier preserves over 1,000,000 acres of forests, alpine meadows, and lakes. This multi-day ride consists of dirt roads and steep mountain passes that cover over 200,000 feet in elevation gain. The 3.3-million-acre Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest stretches from near Missoula to near Yellowstone National Park, and from near Helena to the Idaho border. Gentler segments, with good road access, may be traversed with snowshoes or backcountry skis from November to March or April. The natural beauty of the HelenaNational Forest is complemented by outstanding opportunities for fishing the Blackfoot and MissouriRivers, hiking along the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail, and viewing magnificent big game in the 129,000-acre Elkhorn Wildlife Management Unit. Landscapes range from broad prairies to rugged ridges and mountain peaks. Included within the boundaries of the Forest is 1.3 million acres of the Frank Church– River of No Return Wilderness Area, the largest wilderness area in the Continental United States. 440 -- glad we did. From Goldstone Pass to Big Hole Pass the trail receives heavy snowfall and snow lingers until mid-July, and sometimes later. While hiking to Mt Ida, you really feel like you are walking on top of the world. MacDonald Pass- From Hwy 12 in Helena, travel west 15.5 miles to MacDonaldPass. Trail Information, Outreach and Education, http://www.firetower.org/listings/us346.html, http://www.bigskyfishing.com/National_parks/glacier/Glacier_Photo_Gallery2/GlacierNationalParkPhotogr/, http://www.nps.gov/glac/gallery/082501.htm, http://www.bigskyfishing.com/National_parks/glacier/hiking-highline-trail.shtm, Bob Marshall, Great Bear and Scapegoat Wildernesses, US Post Office: General Delivery  PO Box 9998 ; 34 Dawson Ave East Glacier, MT 59434-9998, Benchmark Wilderness Ranch: Benchmark Rd# 1 Augusta, MT 59410  or C/O Benchmark Wilderness Ranch PO Box 190 Augusta, MT 59410, US Post Office: General Delivery  129 Main St. Augusta, MT 59410, US Post Office: General Delivery 237 Main Street ; P.O. The Forest also contains Borah Peak, Idaho’s tallest peak, the Wild & Scenic Salmon. Since that time, many new sections have been constructed. In the drier valley floor and lower foothills there is an arid-lands mix of grasslands, shrublands, and ponderosa pine that borders cottonwood forest along rivers and streams. The park contains over 350 structures listed on the National Register of Historic Sites and six National Historic Landmarks. The Continental Divide parts the Helena National Forest in half. About 1,900 miles (3,211 km) of the corridor contains existing trails or primitive routes. North-bound hikers will be entering the southern portion of GlacierNational Park at this point and are required to get multi-day use permits from the Two Medicine Ranger Station off located on US Hwy 25. The Continental Divide National Scenic Trail (440) and (337) offers outstanding views as it follows the Continental Divide through the Helena National Forest.Area maps available are the Helena National Forest Visitor Map and USGS Map1: Elliston, Township 9N; Range 6W; Section 2. The forest includes the Anaconda-Pintler and Lee Metcalf wilderness areas. Rugged and remote, this country offers adventure, solitude and breathtaking scenery. The CDT, alongside the Appalachian Trail and the Pacific Crest Trail make up the triple crown of hiking. Box 975  Island Park, ID 83429 (208) 558-7301, National Park Service 

Glacier National Park, P.O. Box 180 Hiway 93 N  North Fork, ID 83466 (208) 865-2700, P.0. Be prepared for snow and freezing cold, even in the height of summer. The area is a highly desired destination for hunting, fishing, white-water rafting and many other popular recreational pursuits. A scenic component of the National … This designation celebrates the longstanding peace and friendship between our two nations. Box 190310 Hungry Horse, MT 59919 5/15-10/25   (406) 758-5376 winter (406) 387-3800, East Babcock Ave. Bozeman, MT 59771 (406) 587-6701, P.0. Mount Henry Fire tower- http://www.firetower.org/listings/us346.html, Two Medicine Lakehttp://www.bigskyfishing.com/National_parks/glacier/Glacier_Photo_Gallery2/GlacierNationalParkPhotogr/, Feather Plume Falls- http://www.nps.gov/glac/gallery/082501.htm, Highline Trail-  http://www.bigskyfishing.com/National_parks/glacier/hiking-highline-trail.shtm, Dawn Mist Falls- http://www.nps.gov/glac/video/video.htm. is about 5600 feet; snow is generally good from mid-December through March. Sparkling lakes and tumbling streams fed by icy water running off snowfields above the timberline enhance the beauty and offer excellent fishing for species of trout, three of char, mountain whitefish, and artic grayling. Pristine lakes, gorgeous glaciers, cascading water falls, and impressive mountain peaks. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from June until October. This section can be hiked by mid-June if you don’t mind crossing infrequent snowfields. The sections listed here are in the Beaverhead … This 1.8-million acre Forest spans six mountain ranges and includes two Congressionally-designated Wilderness areas, the Absaroka-Beartooth and Lee Metcalf Wildernesses. Lemhi Pass-  From Salmon, ID –travel South 21 miles on Hwy 28 to the town of Tendoy. The highest slopes are often bare talus with vegetation limited to lichens. Chief Joseph Pass: Beaverhead Mtns.- From Dillon, MT- travel north 40 miles on Hwy 15 to the town of Divide and intersection of Hwy 43. From Wilborn travel west 8.5 miles following VirginiaCreek to StemplePass. 2 Box 600  Salmon, ID 83467 (208) 756-5100, P.0. The Continental Divide Trail Coalition (CDTC) is the 501 (c) (3) national non-profit working in partnership with the US Forest Service, National Park Service, and Bureau of Land Management to complete, promote and protect the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail. 24 Fort Missoula  Missoula, MT 59804 (406) 329-3750, P.0. Its diverse habitats are home to over 70 species of mammals and over 260 species of birds. Although this was one of the first areas settled by pioneers in Montana, it remains wild, remote and undiscovered by tourists. The landscape is built from block fault mountain ranges sculpted by glaciers, and covered with a rich thick forest. The Centennials form both the Continental Divide and the Idaho/Montana border for 62 miles, from Monida Pass at I-15 to Red Rock Pass east of Yellowstone National Park. Forests of Douglas fir and lodgepole pine surround beautiful grassy parks and mountain meadows. Through five states, 25 National Forests, 20 Wilderness areas, 3 National Parks, 1 National Monument and 8 Bureau of Land Management Resource Areas- the Continental Divide Trail travels 3,100 miles through America's most dramatic and wild backcountry. Glacier preserves over 1,000,000 acres of forests, alpine meadows, and lakes. The Continental Divide Trail Coalition (CDTC) is a national organization focused on stewardship of the CDT, as well as raising awareness and building community for the trail. Developed by the former CDT organization and Jerry Brown of Bear Creek Survey, these map guides reflect the most current line data for the CDNST available. Snow continues to fall in May and June. I would recommend this book to anyone hiking on and near the continental divide. The area continues to gain prominence for its ecological integrity. The CDT is by far the most rugged of the three, bei… From Swiftcurrent hikers can access the western route of the CDT heading North towards WatertonLake and the Canadian Border. Length:2700 - 3150 miles (depending on route) Time to hike:5-6 months Start and end points: 1. Box 219 Lincoln, MT 59639  (406) 362-4265, 1101 15th St. North  Great Falls, MT 59403 (406) 791-7700, 1102 Main Ave. NW  Choteau, MT 59422 (406) 446-5341, Bldg. Parking is somewhat limited at the pass. The Continental Divide forms the western border of Waterton Lakes National Park, which lies completely on the east side of the divide. Swiftcurrent Pass TH- From Babb, MT- located 11 miles south of the Canadian border on US Hwy 89. Elevations range from about 5,100 feet to 10,793 feet on West Goat Peak, with sagebrush and willow flats in the lower elevations rising to forest of pine, fir, and spruce and eventually to aspen, pine, fir and larch. Within the forest are open valleys bisected by isolated high mountain ranges. The CDT extends for 800 miles through Big Sky Country and steps over the border into Idaho for 180 miles. Box 520 West Yellowstone, MT 59758 (406) 823-6961, 2880 – Skyway Drive  Helena, MT 59601 (406) 449-5201, P.0. With its snow-covered mountain peaks and internationally known “blue ribbon” trout streams, the Gallatin National Forest is a popular recreation area in Montana. East of the Anaconda-Pintler Wilderness, the CDT curves like a scythe as it goes around Butte, Montana, mostly through lower elevation mountain ranges. The biggest share of the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail will be 820 miles along Montana's rugged Divide. Both races are point to point and take place predominantly on the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail (CDT) and the Continental Divider, between Idaho and Montana. Ride the longest off-pavement route in the world. Most trails are clear by mid-July. Glaciations from the last ice age influenced the shape of the land as well as the composition of the soil. At the top of the pass turn left onto Vista Point Rd and continue to the parking area. Beaverhead-Deerlondge National Forest Supervisors Office, 420 Barrett St.  Dillon, MT 59725-3572 (406) 683-3900, 1820 Meadowlark Lane  Butte, MT 59701 (406)494-2147, Box 100 Wise River, MT 59762 (406) 832-3178, P.0. The trailhead has a bathroom, picnic tables, fire rings, and informational kiosks. Verified Purchase. 710 10th Street, Suite 200 Straddling the Continental Divide in the Anaconda Range, it has it all in terms of mountain grandeur, whether that entails high and rugged peaks, cirques, U-shaped valleys, or glacier moraines. Congress designated the Bob Marshall Wilderness Area as part of the original Wilderness Act of 1964 and it now encompasses over 1.5 million acres. Box 3388 
Butte, MT 59702 (406) 494-5059, Route 2 Box 610 
Salmon, ID 83467 (208) 756-5400, Dillon Resource Area 
Selway Drive 
Dillon, MT 59725 (406) 683-2337, State of Idaho 

Dept. Box 208  St. Anthony, ID 83445 (208) 624-3151, P.0. Here is one of the most completely preserved mountain ecosystems in the world, the kind of Wilderness most people can only imagine: rugged peaks, alpine lakes, cascading waterfalls, grassy meadows embellished with shimmering streams, a towering coniferous forest, and big river valleys. Big Hole Pass to Schultz Saddle may open by late June, but some passes north of there in the Anaconda-Pintler Wilderness do not clear until mid-July, and sometimes later. 33.4 miles with 5,257 ft of elevation up and 4,560 ft of elevation down. The Forest is sprinkled with history from native American inhabitants to early explorers to the booming days of gold mining. Hikers that would like to take the alternate route, traveling east of the Divide and the Canadian Border at Chief Mountain, can access the Apikuni Trailhead- located 11 miles from Babb on Glacier Route Three near SwiftcurrentFalls. It connects Mexico to Canada via a 3,100 mile / 4,898 km footpath following the Continental Divide across the United States.. Thru-hikers, those hiking the entire trail, pass through five states: New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming, Idaho, and Montana. National Forests are ‘AMERICA’S GREAT OUTDOORS’ here to serve the American people at work and play! However, in Glacier National Park one can traverse old snowfields in September. Come and explore this marvelous treasure and discover, for yourself, all that it has to offer. In Waterton, all drainages flow into the Saskatchewan River Basin, generally a northeast route towards Hudson Bay. The spectacular glaciated landscape is a hikers paradise containing 700 miles of maintained trails that lead deep into one of the largest intact ecosystems in the lower 48 states. The biggest share of the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail will be 820 miles along Montana's rugged Divide. http://www.fs.fed.us/r1/lewisclark/, Stretching along the west side of the continental divide from the US Canadian border south approximately 120 miles lies the 2.3 million acre FlatheadNational Forest. And, in 1932 Glacier and Waterton Lakes National Park, in Canada, were designated Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park. Avalanche dangers are extreme along most of the CDT, so winter enthusiasts may want to limit their excursions to officially designated cross-country ski trails. She’s committed to exploring the trails near her home in Butte, Montana, and sharing that knowledge with others. The route traverses majestic peaks, lush aspen forests and some broad meadows. The Forest provides habitat for a full complement of native fauna, including four federally listed threatened species – the grizzly bear, gray wolf, bald eagle, and the Canada lynx. winds through alpine tundra of the South San Juan, Weminuche and La Garita Wilderness Area where the route stays above 11,000 feet for almost 70 miles. Elk/Calf Mtn.-sacred to Blackfeet Indians, Helena National Forest: The HelenaNational Forest offers close to one million acres of diverse landscapes and wildland opportunities. This is Montana’s untamed country. We combined it with another part of the Nevada Box 168 
Yellowstone Park, WY 82190 (307) 344-7381, P.0. Continental Divide Trail Access.