CDT Trail Towns-Benchmark Ranch to Helena, MT
- Chinese Waill in the “Bob”, between Benchmark Ranch and Lincoln, MT.
I am frequently asked about town stops on the Continental Divide Trail. There are so many options that hikers in the planning stages typically want to get as much input in regards to trail towns as possible. To this end, I’ve created my take on CDT trail towns. This is in no way meant to replace Yogi’s CDT Handbook (and in the text I reference things she has said in her book and maps she provides). Yogi is a friend, I used and loved her handbook so visit her website and see if her Handbook is for you. Without further ado…CDT trail towns presented in a south bound order.
Now comes the controversy…Benchmark Ranch, MT: I didn’t meet Beverly. I sent her my package and my holding fee. I also spoke with her in East Glacier (not just leaving her a message) and told her my arrival date. My package was there waiting for me. I stayed there overnight on the porch of an unused cabin. Beverly wasn’t there and the ranch was closed so we had free reign but were nervous about that since we didn’t know any of the rules of the place. The walk to Benchmark was seemingly long for the 1.5 miles off the trail Yogi says it is. If it hadn’t been raining when I got there, then I probably would have resupplied, eaten dinner and hiked out but since it was raining, I ate there, camped there, and hoped that it was ok that I stayed on one of the cabins (not Beverly’s) porches. I am not sure if I would stop there again. It’s a fair bit of nerves not knowing for sure if she has your package out there or not. But it worked out for me so no complaints.
The other option is…Augusta, MT: I didn’t go to Augusta. When walking to the Ranch, we eventually got offered a ride by the first car that drove by… I am sure they would have taken us to Augusta since they have to go that way. Nocona and Bald Eagle went to Augusta and loved it. A few hikers have not intended to go there but had to because their package was not at the Ranch and they needed food. So, if you send a package to the Ranch, don’t send maps in it…carry your maps, that way if you need to go to Augusta for food, you can but getting maps and guide books there would probably not happen… otherwise, Augusta, Benchmark…carry straight thru…your choice.
Lincoln, MT: I had a great time in Lincoln. My friend met me at Rogers Pass and we went to Missoula from there. Then he dropped me back off at the Pass and I hiked to Flesher Pass. I wasn’t feeling great so WILDCAT and I hitched back to Lincoln (it took a while but we got it) and hung out with 8 other hikers. Then we arranged a slack pack from Flesher Pass to Stemple Pass and stayed another night and had a 4th of July BBQ with 8 or so hikers. Good times. I didn’t shop there, I only ate there once, there rest of the time, our hiker friends with cars got food while we were slacking and we just chipped in money.
Helena, MT: Helena was great. My friend Good-to-Go (Thomas McArdle), who hiked Glacier with me and Dad, lives there. He picked me up down town and drove me everywhere I needed to go. Helena could be pretty spread out if you don’t have a car. I think Mags stayed at the Lamplighter Motel (not sure) and he seemed happy with it. I stayed with Good-To-Go.
