Guide to the Continental Divide Trail
|
This series of guidebooks (the "Wolf guides") provides a mile-by-mile description of the Continental Divide Trail. In addition to the seven basic volumes, two supplements have been published that reflect changes, largely as a result of new trail construction, since those books were originally issued.
The descriptive text gives mileages, to the nearest 0.1 mile, for important features. Descriptions occasionally deviate from the official national scenic trail, especially where better routes appear to exist. U.S. Geological Survey maps are identified in the text; and, except for the supplements, each of the guidebooks contains overview maps at a scale of about ½ inch to the mile. The books are oriented to use on backpacking and hiking trips and may be of less value for horseback and other modes of travel. The trail description is written north-to-south (except for v.1: Northern Montana, which also includes south-to-north.) Water sources, access points, and tread conditions are among the features discussed, along with cultural and natural historic background information. More recent publications (v.2, v.6, v.7 and Supplements) include GPS coordinates at selected key locations.) The principal guidebooks for Wyoming, Northern Colorado, and Southern Colorado include detailed identification keys for flowers likely to be observed along the Trail. The guidebooks are as follows:
The guidebooks have been well received by hikers, as indicated in representative user comments. An order for either the Wyoming guidebook or the Northern Colorado guidebook should always include the associated supplement. v.2 (Southern Montana and Idaho) includes brief supplementary information for v.1 (Northern Montana). v.4 Supplement (Northern Colorado) includes brief supplementary information for v.5 (Southern Colorado). |