What I Wish I Knew Before Hiking The CDT: Seclusion

During my CDT hike in 2021 and 2022, I learned SO much and created this series to talk about what I wish I knew before hiking the trail. I hope this helps future CDT hikers prepare!
I’m hiking the Appalachian Trail in 2023 for my Triple Crown of hiking attempt. Feel free to subscribe to follow along!
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- Cheer
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[@dlewis3970]

I walked at a pace that was to slow for most. I also tend to stop to take a lot of pictures. I grew to like the solitude. Days without seeing another person was very peaceful.

[@20Hikecdt23]

In my experience on the CDT (etc.) I am a solo hiker. As a retiree, and coming from about 30 yrs., of working in an environment of strict control, I was wanting freedom to choose my own camp spot, my own place to stop and take a break, when and where I wanted to go or not go-totally on my own and no one to answer to or consider. It IS nice though, like you say to meet other hikers and be able to stop and talk (or in town). But I always left on my own. Some I met I did not want to camp or hike with and this was due to their different particular habits or things they liked. Perhaps they smoked, I don't. etc.

[@CheerOnTheTrail]

Indeed! A good example of the “hike your own hike” mentality 👍🏼. You gotta do what you want to do!

[@waynemoosman2127]

Thank you. I agree with everything you said. I started at Crazy Cook on April 12. At first, I thought I would enjoy the seclusion, but after about a month of too much of a "good thing" I began craving any human interaction I could get. Thankfully, I was able to join up with a really nice trail family through much of Colorado and Wyoming. I then took the month of August off for a personal trip to Canada before joining up with the same group again just as they were starting the Bob Marshall. Being off trail for a month I was out of trail shape and they promptly left me in the dust, but fortunately was able to join up with some others the rest the way to Waterton Lake. Then I was solo again as I headed back SOBO from Augusta to Island Park to fill in the gap I had skipped during August. I finished on September 29. The whole experience was truly an amazing adventure and I'm grateful that I was able to do it, but what I learned about myself was that I enjoyed the fellowship of other hikers much more than I initially thought I would, and the extended solitude was not nearly as satisfactory for me as I had expected (again, probably too much of good thing). As an aside, being about a week to 10 days behind you, I appreciated all of your helpful comments on the status of water sources, etc., in FarOut. I don't know how much feedback you've gotten on those, but thank you. --mozey

[@CheerOnTheTrail]

Congratulations on finishing Mozey! Wow yes it's funny how much I craved human interaction after awhile...and I was hiking with my trail family for a lot of it. And yay I'm so glad you got a lot out of the comments on Guthook! I did get quite a bit of feedback about it and am so glad it was helpful. I know I always appreciate the intel, especially for the water sources.

[@mountaincat8]

Did you feel that the seclusion of the CDT affected your motivation levels to hike this trail in any way? Or perhaps it didn't affect them in any way because. you were very self-motivated?

[@CheerOnTheTrail]

Hi! I think it really did. I loved the trail community on the PCT and I kind of got that on the CDT in the towns I mentioned. But not much on the actual trail. Self motivation comes into play because I finished the trail (and I had a small trail family) but I think more interaction would have helped my mood in certain places for sure. I was more grumpy on this trail at times 😂

[@HuangXingQing]

Thanks for posting! I reckon I'll enjoy the CDT more for the seclusion if I do it. I'm permitted for the PCT in '24 and have been waiting for well over a decade to do it. I honestly thought a decade ago I'd wait for the CDT to be more domesticated since I'd heard of people having trouble with route finding. I kinda dread the AT should I ever try it, given the proximity to towns but by then I may be grateful to have more . . . comforts. jejeje

[@CheerOnTheTrail]

Nice! I love the PCT and hope you do too. How exciting you’re hiking it this year! The CDT is definitely more secluded and the AT more “luxurious” as you’ve said. They are all so different and unique!

[@celestetaylor1751]

Being from New Mexico, I love seeing hikers here. I can hike and not see anyone even around Albuquerque.

[@CalvinStevens-g2p]

Martin Steven Garcia Lisa Jackson Daniel

[@seekingishwara737]

I had to sleep in a ditch at that Many Glacier campsite, every level spot was full...but I drank enough beer that I didn't care :D. (until 3 am...!). One of my favorite days was on the rim alternate above the Gila...secluded, yes, beautiful too. I got enough of the river before Doc Campbells...

[@Rougarou2023]

Congrats on your CDT/PCT!…typical AT hiker conversation. Hey! When did you start? How many miles you doing today? Do you have a “Tramily?” What kind of tent you rockin’?….I got to the point where I only talked to section hikers at my stops. I call it my “Hi” & “Fly”. Say hi and keep on flying. Hike your own hike is very cliche’, but takes on a significant meaning as you progress along the trail. Get that Triple Crown!!!

[@ervinslens]

Gorgeous upload my friend, this is filmed and explained just beautifully! 👌👌

[@CheerOnTheTrail]

Thanks so much and glad you enjoyed!

[@franklempka2159]

Love your laugh and smile, hope it went well?

[@CheerOnTheTrail]

Thank you! And it did go well!

[@Yetithruhikes]

Last 7-8 years the PCT culture changed dramatically. You are describing tramilies forming for the Sierra Nevada crossing. Back in 2010 it was a solo hikers territory like you are describing on the CDT. PCT really is similar to the AT these days....

[@CheerOnTheTrail]

Yeah it seems like it! I’ll find out more when I do the AT next year but the PCT was definitely crowded…

[@Yetithruhikes]

@@CheerOnTheTrail I met several ex-pct hikers on my AT thru hike last year and they all told me insane numbers for the PCT in 2018 and 2019. Things like 5000 hikers. In 2010 we started about 600.... Good luck on your AT 23'. It's always funny to see newbie hikers on the At getting scared of nonsense :) You are coming with enough experience, you will see what I mean ;)

[@CheerOnTheTrail]

@@Yetithruhikes the PCT is a party LOL. It's looking like the AT will be more so...

[@Yetithruhikes]

@@CheerOnTheTrail According to some trail crews that I know from the PCT. The PCT does not have many more years...they can barely maintain the trail now with the wildfires and crowds. It might have 5-6 more years and then closed permanently.

[@CheerOnTheTrail]

@@Yetithruhikes that's so sad. I hope not!

[@williambell2188]

Congratulations on a major accomplishment, Bill.

[@CheerOnTheTrail]

Thank you!

[@garyglaze-qu3kw]

It is funny you mention "coffeebreak". I ran into him just north of Lincoln Mt. He was in a hurry to get to the benchmark to resupply. Quite a character.

[@CheerOnTheTrail]

Coffeebreak is my bud!!! Awesome guy.

[@HolisticHikes]

Let’s get you to 1k! Thanks for the great video, love seeing other hikers post ones like this 👍 excited for the next one. 😊

[@CheerOnTheTrail]

Haha thanks so much! I’ll also take requests on topics 😉. But next up: Bear Spray!

[@HolisticHikes]

@@CheerOnTheTrail oh fun 🐾! Excited to see it.

[@Junkorgem]

Wow. Ty.

[@CheerOnTheTrail]

You're welcome!