This divide runs from Cape Prince of Wales in western Alaska, through the Rocky Mountains of western Canada and the continental United States, then through the Sierra Madre Occidental mountains in Mexico, through Central America and along the Andes Mountains of South America.
What states does the Continental Divide run through?
Most of the divide runs along the crest of the Rocky Mountains, through British Columbia and along the British Columbia–Alberta border in Canada, and through the states of Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, and New Mexico in the United States.
Where does the Continental Divide start?
The Continental Divide begins at Cape Prince of Wales, Alaska , the westernmost point on the mainland of the Americas.
Where does the Continental Divide Trail Run?
The CDT follows the Continental Divide of the Americas along the Rocky Mountains and traverses five U.S. states — Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, Colorado, and New Mexico .
Where does the Continental Divide go through Colorado?
Trail Ridge Road, passing through Rocky Mountain National Park between the towns of Estes Park and Grand Lake , is one of the best ways to see the Continental Divide as it cuts through Colorado. Splitting North America with a serpentine line, the Continental Divide is quite literally the roof of the continent.
Why is the Continental Divide so important?
Some continental divides span multiple continents. For example, the Continental Divide of the Americas, or the Great Divide, runs through much of North and South America. It separates the water that runs toward the Pacific Ocean from the water that runs toward the Atlantic and Arctic Oceans and the Gulf of Mexico.
How does the Continental Divide work?
A continental divide is a ridge or natural boundary of elevated terrain that separates the drainage basins of a continent . Each drainage basin contributes its water to river systems, which in turn flow into distinct larger bodies of water, such as oceans.
Is Pikes Peak on the Continental Divide?
They divide the United States watershed between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Colorado has 53 peaks over 14,000 feet. ... Marker is near Cascade, Colorado, in El Paso County. Marker is on Pikes Peak Hwy.
Do any rivers cross the Continental Divide?
A Natural Boundary
The headwaters of our nation spring from the Continental Divide. ... The Columbia and Colorado rivers flow west to the Pacific Ocean, while the Missouri River, the Mississippi River, and the Rio Grande flow east from the Divide to the Atlantic Ocean.
Can you see the Continental Divide?
Monarch Pass is located at the southern end of the Sawatch Mountain Range and crosses the Continental Divide at 11,312 feet. For a unique vantage point of the divide, hop aboard the Monarch Crest Scenic Tramway. Soaring over 12,000 feet take in panoramic views while you straddle the divide.
Has anyone died on the PCT?
Deaths on the PCT
There are relatively few deaths on PCT thru-hikes, considering the number of hikers, and the main causes of death are heat exhaustion, falls, and drowning due to either misadventure or bad luck. There have been 15 deaths on the PCT since 1983 .
Can you drive the Continental Divide Trail?
You can drive north on it or south, it's completely up to you . Be fully prepared for any weather, though, because even in July, some of the higher passes through the Rockies could be clogged with snow, or inundated with vicious storms (hail, rain, and/or snow).
Do people hike the Continental Divide?
Each year, a few hundred people attempt to thru-hike the CDT , and not all finish. ... Unlike other long-distance trails, like the Appalachian Trail or the Pacific Crest Trail, there are lots of variations and route choices on the Continental Divide.
How long is the Continental Divide in the US?
The Continental Divide Trail
The trail stretches across the United States some 3,100 miles between the borders of Mexico and Canada, twisting and turning to follow the spine of the continent.
What is the highest elevation of the Continental Divide?
At 14,278 feet , Grays Peak on the Clear Creek-Summit County border is the highest point of the Great Divide in North America.
Is the Continental Divide man made?
A continental divide is seen as any natural (not man-man) boundary separating precipitation which in this case includes rivers, rainfall, snowfall, etc that flows into two oceans. In other words this is like a barrier that prevents rivers, etc on one side from flowing into oceans and seas on the other side.
