Continental Divide, Hiking the CDT in New Mexico

SANTA FE — Several state agencies have signed an agreement aimed at uniting their efforts to complete, maintain and protect the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail in New Mexico.
The 3,000-mile trail runs from Canada to Mexico and connects numerous cultural, natural and historical sites.
In New Mexico, it will link areas such as El Malpais National Monument, Mount Taylor, Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument, the Big Hatchet Mountains and the Zuni-Acoma trail.
The trail spans 740 miles in New Mexico, but only 46 percent of the state’s portion is complete, compared with 63 percent of the trail overall.

With a focus on building greater awareness for the Continental Divide Trail (CDT), Mat Matson begins an epic journey from Mexico to Canada. As part of the Rotary CDT Challenge, the Conifer, Colorado resident, who will turn 70 later this year, sets off April 26 to hike the entire 735 mile-long section of the CDT in New Mexico. In 2008, he and his team will hike through Colorado, in 2009 through Wyoming, and in 2010 he will complete the 3,100 mile-long trail, hiking through Idaho and Montana.
As he travels through New Mexico, Matson will participate in numerous community celebrations to encourage local involvement in building, maintaining and protecting this national treasure. The Rotary Club of Conifer, of which Matson is member, has taken a special interest in the CDT, with Conifer Rotarians volunteering their time, making donations, and even adopting a section of the Trail. Matson hopes to encourage other civic organizations along the Trail to become similarly involved.