From the deserts of New Mexico to the alpine peaks of the northern Rockies, the Continental Divide Trail winds its way through the stunning and diverse landscapes of the central United States, a ribbon that ties together many of the defining moments and movements in our nation’s history.

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. The dry, sandy deserts of New Mexico slowly rise into the breathless peaks of Colorado, descending into Wyoming’s grassy plains and the mystical landscape of Yellowstone. The trail then moves along the forested mountains of Idaho and Montana before ascending the tall, sharp, rocky peaks of Glacier National Park, with the Canadian border on the horizon.

The Continental Divide Trail blazes a path through some of the nation’s most treasured scenic terrain. Some people attempt to travel the entire 3,100 miles in a single season, while others enjoy the trail a few miles at a time. Some experience the trail from afar through books, pictures, and film.