Resupply on the CDT. When Thru Hiking I like to resupply in towns where possible. Luckily I’m not a fussy eater. I can put up with average food for a short period of time. Resupply on the CDT can be difficult at times.
Like most thru hikers I start slowly with plenty of neros (low mileage days) and zeros. Possibly more than most. I’m fine with that.
When hiking and resupplying on the Continental Divide Trail you first need to get through the desert of New Mexico uninjured. Take your time.
By the time I reach Colorado I should ‘trail fit‘.
Table of Contents
- Bounce Box on the CDT
- Resupply on the CDT
- 143 miles Silver City NM
- 194 miles – Doc Cambells NM
- 333 miles – Pie Town NM
- 409 miles Grants NM
- 517 miles Cuba NM
- 571 miles – Ghost Ranch NM
- 666 miles Chama NM
- 749 miles Pagosa Springs CO
- 834 miles Silverton CO
- 868 miles Lake City CO
- 968 miles Salida CO
- 1047 miles Twin Lakes CO
- 1119 miles Breckenridge
- 1250 Grand Lake CO
- 1330 Steamboat Springs CO
- 1414 Encampment WY
- 1497 Rawlins WY
- 1619 miles Atlantic City WY
- 1801 miles Togwotee Lodge WY
- 1903 miles Old Faithful – YellowStone NP WY
- 1955 miles West Yellowstone MT
- 2051 miles Lima MT
- 2155 miles Leadore ID (Bannock Pass)
- 2278 miles Darby MT
- 2379 miles Anaconda MT
- 2458 miles Helena MT
- 2524 Lincoln MT
- 2587 miles Benchmark Resort MT
- 2726 miles East Glacier MT
- 2830 Waterton Canada
Bounce Box on the CDT
I post a Bounce Box when thru hiking. When I resupply on the Continental Divide trail I also used a bounce box. The bounce box contained my computer and other assorted things I may need while on the trail.
I would send it to places where I plan to have rest days. If I chose not to pick up the bounce box at the post office I would forward it to the next destination free of charge, hence the name, Bounce Box!
CDT Schedule
The resupply schedule below had me finishing the trail in about 21 weeks, including rest days. The snow in Colorado beat me up and slowed me down.
Illness in the form of Giardia, which I got in Colorado. Cryptosporidium made me ill and weak in Wyoming and Plantar Fasciitis caused immense pain later on in the trail. In fact, it took me several months to recover after I finished hiking
Having said that was neither foolish nor too proud to admit defeat. I bailed from the San Juan Mountains cause of dangerous snow conditions. And made unplanned stops many times to rest and recover. The trail is brutal.
You may be the same when thru hiking the CDT so don’t overplan your CDT resupply.
Hiking Food
Most small towns on the CDT have good backpacking food options. There are some, however, that are little more than a gas station. If you are a fussy hiker you may want to send food to many more places than mentioned below.
Breakfast
My normal meals consisted of high calorie oats for breakfast, usually 4 packets, with powder milk added. Washed down with a cup of coffee.
Lunch
I like to mix up my lunch, sometimes it is cheese and salami inside a wrap, other times it is granola bars (sometimes mixed with either peanut butter). There are times when I don’t really eat lunch, I just continue eating snacks all day.
Dinner
Packet pasta mixed with salami is a favourite. When I can get dehydrated refried beans (very common in New Mexico) I mix them with Doritos for a high calorie tasty meal. I ate Freeze dried meals when I get bored with pasta. I hate ramen, can’t stand eating it.
Snacks
Depends on the weather. In the cold I like chocolate and cookies. When it’s hot I like salty nuts and Doritos. Other times I’ll get whatever I can find in a gas station, I’m not fussy.
Resupply on the CDT
Buy = Buying food in the towns / resorts / gas stations that I pass through or are near the trail.
Mail = Mail. I’ll pick up my supply from the post office or other location I use to mail food to myself. I plan to mail 7 food boxes to myself.
Good resupply options. Buy for the next 58 miles
143 miles Silver City NM
Lots of great places to eat and resupply
194 miles – Doc Cambells NM
Send food package
333 miles – Pie Town NM
Send food package
409 miles Grants NM
Buy Food
517 miles Cuba NM
Buy
571 miles – Ghost Ranch NM
666 miles Chama NM
Buy and send snow gear if heading northbound
749 miles Pagosa Springs CO
Buy
834 miles Silverton CO
Buy
868 miles Lake City CO
Buy
968 miles Salida CO
Buy
1047 miles Twin Lakes CO
1119 miles Breckenridge
Buy
1250 Grand Lake CO
Buy
1330 Steamboat Springs CO
Buy
1414 Encampment WY
Buy
1497 Rawlins WY
Buy
1619 miles Atlantic City WY
1801 miles Togwotee Lodge WY
1903 miles Old Faithful – YellowStone NP WY
Buy
1955 miles West Yellowstone MT
Buy
2051 miles Lima MT
Buy
2155 miles Leadore ID (Bannock Pass)
Buy
2278 miles Darby MT
Buy
2379 miles Anaconda MT
Buy
2458 miles Helena MT
Buy
2524 Lincoln MT
Buy
2587 miles Benchmark Resort MT
Mail which is expensive
2726 miles East Glacier MT
Buy
2830 Waterton Canada
The End
Do you have any questions about resupply on the CDT?
Have you noticed anything that needs to be updated or changed?
Let me know in the comments below.
What Next: Be sure to Read-
Love the info, especially for someone coming from overseas, Australia. I wish I was able to download some of the info, like the resupply suggestions as a PDF to store on the phone, without copying and pasting. Cheers
I have updated some of the resupply info and hope to have a PDF resupply guide ready for next hiking season. This is a plan I’ve been working towards. Cheers, Brad
Hey BHSafari,
Just wanted to thank you for posting this. Presently planning a 2019 NOBO hike of the CDT and found this to be quite helpful in sorting through all the options for resupply along the way.
I wish you the best on all your trails ahead.
Best regards,
“Wormwood”
No problem, enjoy the CDT it’s a brute of a trail.
I wish I were going with you. No, really. I am so jealous right now. I can’t wait to start seeing posts from your trip. God bless you, mate.
Mike M., Riverside, CA
Thanks Mike, not long now.
Are you riding your bike to the start of the trail? When do you expect to be in Yellowstone?
I am leaving my bicycle with a friend in Mexico. I’ll return to Mexico after the hike. I’ll probably have a good rest for a couple of months then keep cycling south. I’m yet to visit Cuba! I expect to be in Yellowstone NP early August. That’s if everything goes to plan. The CDT has a reputation for changing people plans at short notice due to the weather, snow levels, wildfires and injury, just to name a few. I hope to take a day off in Yellowstone to look around. I’ve never been there before and I may never have an opportunity to return. I’m looking forward to it.
Awesome. I am also planning a trip there for the first time. It is supposed to be incredible. I wish you a safe and pleasant journey along the CDT. I look toward to your blog posts and many pictures.
Yes, you too, Yellowstone will be amazing.
Looking forward to reading about it and your wonderful photos you should do something with them they are great
Thanks Claire, can’t wait to get in trail. I might do something with the photos one day. We shall see.
Wow! What a list of amazing places! I recognize a lot of them from our vacations and travels. Wishing you all the best in your newest adventure!
Thanks Heather. I can’t wait
Let´s go!!! God bless U my friend!
Thanks Paulo. I want to be out on the trail now. Bring it.