Ride at night, you will do plenty of it on the Divide. This is Section E, one of the middle sections of it. Rolling hills with wilted grass and sage brush all around. Bottles mounted on forks and down tubes fall off and rub. However, five years later Parks Canada stalled its planning process altogether, citing inadequate trail planning methodology and unresolved overuse issues. The result is a labor of love set to become one of North America's most magnificent long trails. After completing the bikepacking triple crown, I decided to make this Tour Divide Planning Guide (GDMBR). Try different ways and see which is the best. The total time to hike the entire trail from Waterton Lakes National Park to Kakwa Provincial Park is dependent on individual hiking pace, planning and selection of routes. The Great Divide Mountain Bike Route is a dirt route from Canada to Mexico. It is published by Cycle Adventures in a series of 5 maps designed for mountain bikes (bicycles). The Town List has distance, elevation +/-, resupply options, bike shops and key notes. Section E runs from Saskatchewan Crossing where the Saskatchewan River crosses Icefields Parkway (Hwy 93), to … Instead, this trail delivers so much more; part wilderness, … If you can’t find what you’re looking for in these then it’s probably in our Tour Divide Resources. New for 2021 – Data created in Garmin Basecamp for more accurate information. The trail closely follows the Great Divide between Alberta and British Columbia, crossing the divide more than 30 times. Navigations skills are key, and having experience hiking long distances through rough terrain will do well to prepare you for the Great Divide Trail. Everyone does some sort of training when doing a race/tour of this length. No one is perfect, as a result no one nails their set up the first time. Hopefully anyone planning a race/tour of the route can get almost all the information they need from this post, accompanying posts, and external links provided below. Racing in the company of others (There’s no guarantee others will be racing near you). Outside of the National Parks, the route south of Palliser Pass was originally mapped in 1974 by six University of Calgary students with support from the Alberta Wilderness Association and the Federal Opportunities for Youth Program. I can’t empathize how important planning is and how greatly it can effect the outcome of your race/tour. The area did have a unique beauty of its own, but after about an hour I had experienced it, but this open, mundane landscape just kept going. Get out there and ride your bike loaded. I put a whole page together that covers the gear I used during my Tour Divide, (and on the Colorado Trail and Arizona Trail). Checkout all our available products in our store, and thanks for the support! The Great Divide Trail Association, which was reformed in 2013, has been making positive strides towards official recognition from provincial governments. Rather, I’ll give you some tips and tell you some of the things that made the TD hard for me. Slightly higher risk (Less people and support if you get injured or have a bike issues). We struggled to figure out the logistics of hiking a 100-mile section of this trail in 2012. The Great Divide Trail Pt5 – One journey’s End Posted on August 22, 2018 January 8, 2019 Author Paul Mags 2 Comments Part five of my Great Divide Trail thru-hike. Download our guide to access the GDT map, tracks, waypoints, and comments! December 10, 2020. Most notably, the GDTA is constructing the 50km High Rock Trail section, which replaces old roads to better link the town of Coleman with the 100km original section of the GDT built in the 80's. By 2004, a group known as the Friends of the Great Divide Trail[1] began to work on the GDT once again, dedicated to maintaining the original section of the GDT running through unprotected Alberta Crown Forest Reserve lands, from North Fork Pass to Fording River Pass, that was constructed in the 1970s and 80s. The day's adventures are long with many rich options along the way. Parks Canada indicated that several of the sections we were interested in (mainly around Jasper) have been permanently abandoned. It is one of the most spectacular and challenging long‐distance trails on the planet. Because you know someone is going to say it. It will also get you used to a loaded bike. Like many jurisdictions, reservations can only be made by Alberta residents. Length:2700 - 3150 miles (depending on route) Time to hike:5-6 months Start and end points: 1. Yes, as you would have to stay in designated campgrounds in the National and Provincial Parks you will pass, so it is recommended that you arrange for all park entry permits and campsite reservations in advance. The first 3 steps are fairly easy to check off your list. The Great Divide Route is the world's longest off-pavement cycling route. Chances are you won’t follow your itinerary once on the route but it still serves as a reminder of what your goal was/is. The triple crown taught me a lot and I want to share that knowledge with others. You have to consider both physical and mental training, when you considering doing the TD. The Great Divide Trail stretches from the Canada-U.S. border at Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta, through the Canadian Rocky Mountains to Kakwa Provincial Park in British Columbia. Quickly find the total mileage between any two POI along the route. How long does it take to hike the entire trail? It gives the distance, elevation +/-, average grade, maximum and minimum elevations, pavement sections, references ACA maps, bike shops, resupply options, and has key notes between two POI. More convenient finish (getting to airport). New for 2021- Data created in Garmin Basecamp for more accurate information. Race or Tour? Northern terminus: Waterton Lake Highest Elevation:14,278 ft (Grays Peak CO) Lowest Elevation:4,200 ft The Continental Divide Trail (CDT) is a long-distance trail that runs from the Canadian border to the Mexican border. Along the GDT, the Great Divide separates water flowing into the Pacific Ocean to the west (via the Columbia River) from Hudson Bay (via the North Saskatchewan River) and the Arctic Ocean (via the Athabasca River) to the east. Don't get lost on the GDMBR! This … For most of us this is a once in a lifetime event. On the other hand you’ll reference your resupply list multiple times a day. Having a strong core will help keep your back happy with the long hours in the saddle. In 1970, Jim Thorsell developed the first-ever GDT guide: the "Provisional Trail Guide and Map for the Proposed Great Divide Trail" and the national park service approved the project with the objective of completing the GDT by 1975. This is where you want to put the most detail into. I may not be officially in the Great Basin yet, but the surroundings were still dry and brown. Quickly find the total elevation gain between any two POI along the route. Back road riding all the way from Canada to the Mexican border. The more work you do before hand and information you have available to you during the race, the better off you’ll be. Tour Divide challenges a fixed course annually called the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route.Not only is the Great Divide Route a true classic, its 'primary track' is pursued with consistency by TD athletes so that year to year, finish times may always be compared directly to the record books.. The GDT (Great Divide Trail) is a long distance hike along the Continental Divide in Canada. The trail is 1,130 km (700 mi) long and ranges in elevation from 1,055 m (3,461 ft… The Great Divide is the major hydrological divide of North America. ». The Great Divide Trail (GDT) is a wilderness hiking trail in the Canadian Rockies. … From Banff, Canada to Antelope Wells, New Mexico, The Great Divide Mountain Bike Route is the longest continuous off pavement bike trail in the world. The weather window for the Tour Divide (GDMBR) is from June to Mid-October. Like the old adage says, “It’s 90% mental and 10% physical”. Along the Great Divide. Consequently be prepared for anything, no matter when you choose to go. If you have a question whether something is going to work or not, address it before you go. Chance to test yourself in one of the worlds longest MTB races. The Continental Divide Trail and the Pacific Crest Trail both stretch from Mexico to Canada, but the CDT offers up a far more diverse landscape than the PCT. Read More. Its southern terminus is in Waterton Lakes National Park at the Canada–US border (where it connects with the Continental Divide Trail) and its northern terminus is at Kakwa Lake in Kakwa Provincial Park, north of Jasper National Park. Take the time to eliminate this by doing a Shakedown Ride. The Great Divide Trail is over 1,100km long. Smaller chance of meeting fellow cyclists. GDMBR, Tour Divide, or Tour Divide Max? Southern terminus: Crazy Cook Monument 2. The Great Divide Trail traverses the continental divide between Alberta and British Columbia, wandering through the vast wilderness of the Canadian Rocky Mountains for more than 1100 kilometres. A safe estimate for hiking the Great Divide Trail is eight weeks. Coordinates: .mw-parser-output .geo-default,.mw-parser-output .geo-dms,.mw-parser-output .geo-dec{display:inline}.mw-parser-output .geo-nondefault,.mw-parser-output .geo-multi-punct{display:none}.mw-parser-output .longitude,.mw-parser-output .latitude{white-space:nowrap}51°41′12″N 116°40′31″W / 51.6867°N 116.67526°W / 51.6867; -116.67526, List of backpacking and hiking journals of the GDT, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Great_Divide_Trail&oldid=989008639, Short description is different from Wikidata, Articles needing additional references from December 2012, All articles needing additional references, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, Old Fort Point trailhead, 1,055 m (3,461 ft), This page was last edited on 16 November 2020, at 15:04. Which Bike? The Project’s Planning Aids and Resources are our answer to this. The Town List helps with not having to do the math to figure out how far away things are if they’re not the next POI. (Banff, AB – YMCA), Starting with others (safety, chance to share knowledge). This is the adventure of a lifetime. I found it mentally hard to ride into the night after already being on the bike for 16+ hours. Having a strong core will help keep your back happy with the long hours in the saddle. The process of planning a trip of this kind can be time consuming and stressful. Canada's Great Divide Trail For 30 years, some wide-eyed dreamers have been chiseling a 745-mile route through the Canadian Rockies. I might have done most of the leg work for you, but that shouldn’t stop you from doing your own deeper research to better your chances and improve the outcome of your trip even further. Shopping with our affiliates helps fund the development of content like this. $20.00 + tax, Purchase SOBO here. Categories Great Divide Trail, The Hiking Life Blog Tags 12 Long Walks, Backpacking, Cam Honan, Great Divide Trail, Hiking In a Nutshell The Hiking Life is a compilation of tips and advice on trip planning, lightweight backpacking techniques, and improving your wilderness skill set. The trail closely follows the Great Divide between Alberta and British Columbia, crossing the divide more than 30 times. [2] Since then, the volunteer-run GDTA has been active in conducting maintenance and trail building throughout the length of the Great Divide Trail. The Great Divide Trail association is asking folks who are hiking the trail to be self sufficient and avoid re-supplying in small towns that may not have the capacity to manage an outbreak; Alberta Provincial Parks are open for day use and camping (at 50% capacity). It’s about to … If I did let me know and I’ll add it or make a correction. Consider your diet and try to learn how much you need to eat for day after day of riding. I show pros/cons, tips, things that didn’t work and did, and what  I would do differently next time. If racing is not your thing and you want more flexibility, then touring is for you. Some sections were unknown to the rangers we spoke with. Like the Great Continental Divide Route it covers spectacular remote mountains but of the western states of California, Oregon and Washington. The race always starts on the second Friday in June. In 2013, the Friends of the Great Divide Trail re-activated the Great Divide Trail Association, a Canadian not-for-profit corporation headquartered in Calgary, Alberta, dedicated to maintaining and protecting the GDT. Ultimate Arizona Trail Bikepacking Planning Guide, If I hiked the Continental Divide Trail Again. Ability to stop without fear of the clock. The Great Divide Trail stretches from the Canada-U.S. border at Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta, through the Canadian Rocky Mountains to Kakwa Provincial Park in British Columbia. Example: A and B, then B to C, and so on. After finishing the Bikepacking Triple Crown I realized bikepacking didn’t have quality planning tools available. Train your brain. This is Section F, the second northernmost section of it. The GDT passes through five National Parks: Waterton Lakes, Banff, Kootenay, Yoho and Jasper; nine Provincial Parks: Akamina-Kishinena, Castle, Castle Wildland, Elk Lakes, Peter Lougheed, Height of the Rockies, Mount Assiniboine, Mount Robson and Kakwa; four wilderness areas: Beehive Natural Area, Kananaskis Country, White Goat Wilderness Area and Willmore Wilderness Area; and four forest districts: Bow/Crow, Cranbrook, Golden and Robson Valley.[4]. A quick guide to getting the right bike to tackle the rough conditions of the GDMBR. While the Great Divide Trail is a recognized hiking trail,[3] only portions of it are officially recognized by Parks Canada and therefore is often not signed and occasionally not even an actual trail - merely a wilderness route. The GDT (Great Divide Trail) is a long distance hike along the Continental Divide in Canada. A well put together resupply and itinerary are key items, that can effect both the success and ease of your race/tour of the Divide. Everything you need to plan a bikepacking trip on the Tour Divide. Bond with fellow racers in a shared experience. Tips on what to take as you ride the Great Divide. Make sure which ever you choose, it’s your choice. They founded the Great Divide Trail Association and began trail construction in the summer of 1976. After 100’s of hours of research, 1000’s of keystrokes, more emails and phone calls than I can recall the One of Seven Project’s Tour Divide Planning Aids are done. The most difficult part of the Great Divide Trail is the Jackpine High Route. Checkout the snowpack levels at the Snotel website to find out. Learn how it handles, listen for what rattles, see what rubs, and most of all, what doesn’t work. Find METRIC SOBO version here. $10.00 + tax, Purchase here. A continental divide is a naturally occurring boundary or ridge separating a continents river systems. For more information on the Tour Divide visit our TD Resource page. Each river system feeds into a distinct ocean basin, bay, or sea. Simply clicking on the links below with our affiliates supports the Project. A helpful tool to find your way is The Great Divide Trail App by Atlas Guides. Section F runs from the town of Jasper, Alberta in Jasper National Park, to a trail junction in Jasper National Park where the Moose River Route meets the North Boundary Trail. During that time you’ll run into every type of weather you can image. Bottom line, DO YOUR HOMEWORK! You being in the desert – not this high-altitude chaparral crap on the PCT – you're hiking for nearly 100 mi … June 11, 2021, 8 am ???? Unlike the PCT, my route will cover a few hundred miles of route finding, including a next-level alternate on Wyoming's Wind River High Route. Highlights from the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route After miles of sublime, airy ridge walking on Jasper National Park’s Skyline Trail, I exited a tunnel of trees into a wide patch of … It is one of the most spectacular and challenging long‐distance trails on the planet. Snow can be found or occur at anytime on the route. I’ve taken everything I learned on and off the Tour Divide (CTR and AZT), and put it into this 7 Step Planning Guide to racing/touring the Tour Divide (GDMBR). As mentioned earlier, this is where you do your homework. Checkout my post, Tour Divide Resupply Planner, where I give you everything you need to plan your own resupply/itinerary. At present, the Great Divide Trail is about 75% singletrack, 10% wilderness route and 15% old roads and ATV trails. You have many options. ... "The Great Pacific Divide Route is fast becoming one of the Great American routes. The Friends of Canadian Corridor (FoCC) have now seen the completion of their Pick My Project 1.8km track in the…. The CDT, alongside the Appalachian Trail and the Pacific Crest Trail make up the triple crown of hiking. With a limited number of audio book and batteries … They contain everything you need to plan and execute your ride/ride of the Tour Divide and most of the GDMBR. I am human and might have missed something. You will also need to book your camping spots or town stays ahead of time. Combine the weather with countless hours in the saddle and you’re going to want to have the right gear, gear that is reliable, tested and offers comfort. The Town List gives cumulative distances between POI. Its southern terminus is in Waterton Lakes National Park at the Canada–US border (where it connects with the Continental Divide Trail) and its northern terminus is at Kakwa Lake in Kakwa Provincial Park, north of Jasper National Park. NOTE: This is a very long motorcycle/road biking trail. We all train differently, so I won’t pretend to tell you how you should. Gear is another key item you need to really research before you hit the trail. The Great Divide Trail traverses the continental divide between Alberta and British Columbia, wandering through the vast wilderness of the Canadian Rocky Mountains for more than 1100 kilometres. The CDT is by far the … I found it mentally hard to ride into the night after already being on the bike for 16+ hours. To cut a long story short, the GDT’s days of relative anonymity appear to be coming to an end. 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