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.
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.
Arrival-Montana-Glacier National Park
I arrived in East Glacier in time to get the shuttle to Many Glacier.I got my permit in Many Glacier at the Ranger Station.I was going to camp in Many Glacier that night and get the shuttle to the border the next morning but it was yucky out.My next plan was to get a cheap cabin at the Swift current Motor in and leave a resupply package there but in 2007 it didn’t open until the 17th so instead, I stayed at the expensive (but on my Dad’s tab) Many Glacier Hotel.The Ranger (I had an awesome Ranger, Mark W.) let me keep my resupply package at the Ranger Station.
The next morning I caught the shuttle to the border…it was a thru hiker party.
Many Glacier, MT:Spread out and potentially expensive but if you’ve just spent two days in rain and cold and it’s still raining, then staying at Swiftcurrent might be nice.In 2007 the price for a cottage without a bath was $50.Depending on the time of year you are hiking, you might want to stop in at the Lodge on the walk into “town”.Have the front desk call the Swiftcurrent to see if they have rooms and to see if the restaurant it open.It’s a little bit of a walk to find out that it’s not open yet. If the Swiftcurrent restaurant is closed, The Many Glacier Lodge has a restaurant and a bar (eating at the Bar is cheaper).The Lodge also has a large fire place in the lobby so if you show up soaking wet, it’s a good place to dry off before you get lunch/dinner.We ate lunch (we only hiked 8 miles that day) at the Lodge and the Swiftcurrent restaurant opened for dinner so we ate there for dinner.
Two Medicine, MT:I think I ate 8 hotdogs for dinner there.They were good.You could hike 2 different routes that meet back up right before you cross the bridge to get to Two Med.I took the shorter route.I am glad I did, there was a ton of snow the other way (Dawson’s Pass).
At the store, you could buy dinner and snacks for the 10 miles to East Glacier here.I can’t remember if I did that or not.It was a decent store for a tourist trap and like I said, only 10 miles to East Glacier.As for camping here…let me tell you the hiker/biker sites are sub-optimal…ok they suck (I don’t typically use that word but it pretty much sums it up).They are all really gravelly.The better option (in 2006 this worked, but not in 2007) is to talk with the camp hosts (in 2006, they were nice…not too friendly in 2007) and if you are with a good number of hikers, ask if you can use the group site.It is much, much nicer camping.
East Glacier, MT:I rather liked East Glacier.I stayed at the Backpacker’s Inn (behind Serrano’s) one time and at a hotel (maybe the Circle R) that was recently upgraded.They were definitely different experiences.I think the Backpacker’s Inn could be a ton of fun with other hikers (it was in 2006) and really convenient to Serrano’s Mexican Restaurant (eat there) and the Glacier Park Trading Post (store) and the Trails End Saloon/Tavern where hikers have been known to live it up in the past.I sent a resupply package to the Trading Post but also bought a few things there since they held my package.They were super nice when I was there.
