Continental Divide Trail: Wyoming Section 22

The Continental Divide National Scenic Trail spans nearly 3,100 miles across 5 states from Mexico to Canada, traversing a vast array of different environments and landscapes along the way. The CDT can be completed as a single thru-hike that will take 4 to 6 months, or by section-hiking smaller segments. The Wyoming portion of the CDT features nearly 550 miles of incredibly diverse terrain. You’ll pass through the open desert plains of the Great Basin, the craggy ice carved peaks of the Wind River Range, and the steaming geysers and volcanic activity of Yellowstone National Park. In this guide we’ll take a closer look at Wyoming Section 22.

Wyoming Section 22 begins at the Old Faithful Village. This village area is always stirring with tourists, making thru-hikers feel out of place. But this area also has everything a hiker needs including a grocery store and restaurants (be sure to hit the all you can eat breakfast buffet in the historic Old Faithful Inn). And of course the main attraction here is the Old Faithful Geyser that erupts frequently at predicted times (don’t leave without caching an eruption!).

From the village I’d recommend taking the boardwalk that goes behind the Old Faithful Geyser and explores more of the fascinating geothermal pools and geysers of the area. This boardwalk will then connect back up with the official CDT.

The CDT will cross the park road and enter another geothermal area. The trail then finally leaves the hot pools (and the tourists) behind and enters the forest. You’ll have a climb up, then fairly flat hiking through the forest until Summit Lake (a backcountry campsite primarily used by CDT hikers, permit required).

Be sure to fill up on water at Summit Lake as it is the last source for a while. The trail then continues and is fairly flat and easy hiking all the way to the Idaho Border. This border marks the beginning of the 4th state that northbound thru-hikers will walk through, and also marks the end of Wyoming Section 22.