Resupply on the CDT

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Resupply on the CDT

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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‘.

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

Mail

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

Mail

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

Mail

1801 miles Togwotee Lodge WY

Mail

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-


Continental Divide Trail Resupply

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About the Author:
Brad is an Australian who has completed the hiking Triple Crown after he hiked the Pacific Crest Trail, Continental Divide Trail and Appalachian Trail. He has hiked on every continent (except Antarctica) and has cycled from Alaska to Ecuador. He is an expert on outdoor gear currently living in Chile.

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16 thoughts on “Resupply on the CDT”

  1. 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

    Reply
    • 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

      Reply
  2. 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”

    Reply
  3. 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

    Reply
    • 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.

      Reply
      • 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.

  4. 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!

    Reply

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