Resupply on the CDT. I choose 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). Possibly more than I have scheduled in my resupply schedule. I’m fine with that. I just need to get through the desert of New Mexico uninjured. 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 use a bounce box. It contains my computer and other assorted things I may need while on the trail. I send it to places where I plan to have rest days. If I choose not to pick up the bounce box at the post office I will forward it to the next destination free of charge, hence the name, Bounce Box!
CDT Schedule
The schedule below has me finishing the trail in about 21 weeks, including rest days, hopefully. I also plan to push through the snow in Colorado, if it is prudent to do so. I will gear up and go for it.
Having said that I am neither foolish nor too proud to admit defeat. I may need to flip further up the trail. I really hope not but if it happens it happens. I suspect I’ll be having some discussions with my hiking buddy Crunchmaster as we get closer to Colorado. If things go to plan I’ll continue walking on the Great Divide Trail (GDT) in Canada when I finish the CDT. But only if the weather and my body are on speaking terms.
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 I mix them with Doritos for a high calorie tasty meal. 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.
Zero = A rest Day with no hiking. I plan on 9 zero hiking days.
Alt = An alternate route other than the CDT
Bounce Box = The box that I continually mail to myself. It will contain my computer and other gear that I will only need in certain areas such as very cold weather clothes and snow gear etc. I will recycle a box from a local grocery store. I plan to forward it to myself about 9 times.
Guide to Resupply on the CDT | |||||
Section | Days | Total Days | GutHook Miles | Total | Resupply/Notes |
Crazy Cook NM to Lordsburg NM | 5 | 5 | 85.1 | 85.1 | Buy |
Lordsburg NM to Silver City NM | 3 | 8 | 58.6 | 143.7 | Buy + Bounce Box + Zero |
Silver City NM to Doc Cambells NM | 3 | 12 | 50.6 | 194.3 | Mail – Gila River Alt |
Doc Cambells NM to Pie Town NM | 7 | 19 | 139.3 | 333.6 | Mail – Gila River Alt |
Pie Town NM to Grants NM | 4 | 24 | 75.5 | 409.1 | Buy + Bounce Box + Zero – Cebolla Alt |
Grants NM to Cuba NM | 6 | 30 | 107.8 | 516.9 | Buy – Mt Taylor alt |
Cuba NM to Ghost Ranch NM | 3 | 33 | 54.1 | 571 | Mail – Ghost Ranch Alt |
Ghost Ranch NM to Chama NM | 5 | 39 | 95.4 | 666.4 | Buy + Bounce Box + Zero – Ghost Ranch Alt |
Chama NM to Pagosa Springs CO- (Hwy 160) | 5 | 44 | 83.4 | 749.8 | Buy – San Juan Route – 23 mile hitch |
Pagoda Spring CO to Silverton CO (Stoney Pass) | 5 | 49 | 84.6 | 834.4 | Buy – several trail options to get to town – San Juan Route |
Silverton CO to Lake City CO (Hwy 149) | 3 | 52 | 33.4 | 867.8 | Buy |
Lake City CO to Hwy 50 Salida CO | 5 | 58 | 100.5 | 968.3 | Buy + Bounce Box + zero (23 mile hitch) |
Hwy 50 Salida CO to Twin Lakes CO | 4 | 62 | 78.7 | 1047 | |
Twin Lakes CO to Breckenridge CO | 4 | 66 | 71.8 | 1118.8 | Buy – Stay in CDT / Grey Torreys Route |
Breckenridge CO to Interstate 70 CO (Denver) | 3 | 70 | 54.7 | 1173.5 | Buy + Bounce Box + Zero – Hitch / Ride to Denver |
Interstate 70 CO (Denver) to Grand Lake CO | 6 | 76 | 76.5 | 1250 | Buy + Bounce Box + Zero + day hike of Rocky MT NP inc |
Grand Lake CO to Steamboat Springs CO | 4 | 80 | 80.4 | 1330.4 | Buy |
Steamboat Springs CO to Encampment WY | 4 | 84 | 83.9 | 1414.3 | Buy – Halfway point of the CDT |
Encampment WY to Rawlins WY | 4 | 89 | 82.6 | 1496.9 | Buy + Bounce Box + Zero |
Rawlings WY to Atlantic City WY | 5 | 94 | 121.6 | 1618.5 | Mail – About 2 miles from trail to Miners Grub – Long 8 day carry out of Atlantic City |
Atlantic City WY to Togwotee Lodge WY | 8 | 102 | 182.6 | 1801.1 | Mail – Inc Cirque Alt and Knapsack Col Alt – I plan to hike the Wind River High Route if possible – nero- restaurant- showers-hot tub- campground 1 mile away |
Togwotee Lodge WY to Old Faithful – YellowStone NP WY | 5 | 108 | 101.7 | 1902.8 | Buy + Bounce Box + Zero |
Old Faithful (YellowStone) WY to West Yellowstone MT | 2 | 110 | 52.1 | 1954.9 | Buy – Hiker/Biker sites $10 inc shower |
West YellowStone MT to Lima MT | 4 | 114 | 96.1 | 2051 | Buy – Call Mountain View Motel for ride to town |
Lima MT to Leadore ID (Bannock Pass) | 4 | 118 | 103.7 | 2154.7 | Buy – Hard hitch in dirt road to town |
Leadore ID to Darby MT (or Nearby) | 5 | 123 | 123.2 | 2277.9 | Buy or send if only stopping at other towns- Hitch from Hwy 43 and 93. |
Darby MT to Anaconda MT | 4 | 127 | 100.9 | 2378.8 | Buy – Anaconda Alt (maybe) |
Anaconda MT to Helena MT | 3 | 130 | 79.3 | 2458.1 | Buy |
Helena MT to Lincoln MT | 3 | 134 | 66.7 | 2524.8 | Buy + Bounce Box + zero – Organise permits for Glacier NP |
Lincoln MT to Benchmark Resort MT | 3 | 137 | 62.5 | 2587.3 | Send Package – expensive – Call first – size restrictions on box – no restaurants etc |
Benchmark Resort MT to East Glacier MT | 6 | 143 | 139.1 | 2726.4 | Buy |
East Glacier MT to Many Glacier MT | 3 | 146 | 65.9 | 2792.3 | Buy + Bounce Box (Store bounce box here or send to Banff Canada) |
Many Glacier MT to Waterton – Canada | 2 | 148 | 38.1 | 2830.4 | Time to start planning the next hike! |
Totals: | 148 | 2830.4 | inc 9 Zeros | ||
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- A Complete Guide to Hiking the Continental Divide Trail
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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.