Hiking the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail is an enormous challenge. Beginning at Mexico’s border in southern New Mexico, the country’s longest National Scenic Trail wanders through Colorado, Wyoming, and Idaho, ending in northern Montana at Canada’s border. The trail follows the Continental Divide at various points about a fifth of the way. Planned expeditions may require six months or longer in bad weather and deep snow. The 3,102 mile-long trail winds through 25 national forests, three national parks including Yellowstone, and crosses 475 regions of water drainage, known as watersheds. In 1978, the United States Congress designated most of the trail off limits to motor vehicles. Nearby roads make parts of the trail accessible for short hikes, including a one-hour hike to Lobo Overlook or a day’s journey following Treasure Mountain Trail.