Beware! Trail users need to be prepared for any and all contingencies!

Throughout it’s length, the official route of the CDNST is a work in progress, with continuously ongoing changes occuring even as this information is published. With this in mind, it is the Trail user’s responsibility to contact local land management agencies for the most current Trail information. It is also the responsibility of the CDNST user to be prepared and understand the risks. Failure to have the necessary knowledge, equipment and conditioning may cause extreme physical danger, injury or even death. Know you are utilizing the CDNST and the information contained in this data at your own risk!

Trail users may find portions of the official route closed or restricted due to ongoing forestry issues such as fires, salvage logging, dangerous downfall, or other events. Users may have to deviate from the maps at times because of these issues. Generally, any closed areas will be identified and alternate routes described. Trail users must utilize these alternate routes where directed to do so.

The CDNST is not fully constructed yet and in places users will find themselves on paved highways and improved roads which can be extremely hazardous, particularly for stock animals. Paved highways and improved roads are not part of the “official” CDNST. No “official” route yet exists in these places. It is the trail users responsibility to study and find alternate safe access around these areas. You are responsible for your own safety! Generally, these highways and paved roads currently exist along portions of the CDNST due to private land ownership negotiations still in progress. It is a long term goal to develop Trail off of all these locations strategically over time. In the meantime, please respect private land owners by not trespassing on privately owned property.

Landownership is not depicted on the maps and access through non-Federal areas is only allowed at the discretion or by agreement with the landowner. There are numerous areas where the trail is faint, unmarked, and largely unbuilt. Navigation through these areas can be extremely challenging. It is strongly suggested that users carry and understand how to operate navigation gear such as GPS and compass. There are places where large streams and rivers must be forded and at times of high water the potential for drowning is high. If you are hiking in a high water time, it is strongly suggested that you travel with another hiker and carry adequate equipment for dealing with deep, dangerous fordings.

Data Accuracy/Liability: The Continental Divide National Scenic Trail (CDNST) GIS map data, developed cooperatively by the Bear Creek Survey Service, LLC and the U.S. Forest Service, the lead federal agency with stewardship responsibility of the CDNST, represents a digital depiction of the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail centerline for recreational and entertainment purposes. The information contained in this data is dynamic and may change over time. Bear Creek Survey Service, LLC and U.S. Forest Service shall not be responsible for errors or omissions in the data and shall not be obligated to provide updates, additions, or corrections to the data in the future. Bear Creek Survey Service, LLC and U.S. Forest Service give no warranty, expressed or implied, as to the accuracy, reliability, or completeness of this data, including travel route data. It is the responsibility of the data user to use the data appropriately. Bear Creek Survey Service, LLC and U.S. Forest Service shall not be held liable for improper or incorrect use of the data described and/or contained herein.

The provider of this data has gone to great length to assure that the data is correct and useful.  However, ultimate responsibility for use of the data lies with the user.  The user of the data acknowledges that the data may contain inaccuracies, omissions, or other errors and that Bear Creek Survey Service, it's owners, or assigns are not responsible for any damages caused by use of the data.  

Terms of Use: Bear Creek Survey Service, LLC grants a license to the waypoint and, or track data for installation by a single user on a single GPS device.  Reproduction or distribution of the data is illegal. 

This data is being offered free of charge and without support of any kind.  Please do not contact Bear Creek Survey Service if you are unable to load the data into your gps.   

The data is furnished in GPX  or POI format.  It is the responsibility of the user to load the data into their gps somehow.  Take the link on the next page for more information on loading your GPS.