Finding Sunshine: The Continental Divide Trail

Stephanie “Sunshine” is about to embark on a 3,100 mile journey through the mountains of the United States by thru hiking from Canada to Mexico along the famous, Continental Divide Trail (CDT). This trail goes through glacial plains, the tallest US mountain peaks, and canyon deserts. Stephanie will see the most beautiful mountains and views America has to offer as she navigates through the original western frontier connecting with nature.

Accomplishing the CDT would be impossible without clean water. This is why Stephanie is raising $20,000 towards clean water projects.
Visit Below to Donate.

What is the Continental Divide Trail?

The Continental Divide Trail is a 3,100 mile long trail that gives thru-hikers an authentic mountain back country experience that can not be accomplished anywhere else. Thru Hikers will navigate 5 states and connect with communities along the spine of the Rocky Mountains.

Compared to the Appalachian trail, this is far more remote, beautiful, and rewarding. Far fewer hikers attempt the CDT making it a unique solitary challenge. The CDT has an average altitude of 11,500ft while the highest point on the Appalachian Trail is 6,643ft.

Why Clean Water

Her ability to do long distance hikes, definitely in remote locations, would not be possible without having clean water. There will be many times during the CDT where water is hard to find and needs to be filtered. She will be dedicating this hike to all the people that have helped her reach this point as well as to communities without clean water.

State by State

Montana/Idah0 (1030 miles)

The “Big Sky Country,” where hikers experience it all. From open prairies, rocky mountains, and a carved landscape. Hikers cross glaciers, follow Lewis & Clark’s footsteps, and see a big blue sky.

Wyoming (500 miles)

The Cowboy State is a gem many hikers do not realize. Adventure awaits in the Wind River Range and Yellowstone National Park. Rivers have cut the landscape forever creating beautiful passes used by early pioneers.

Colorado (740 Miles)

The CDT travels through the Rockies most incredible peaks. The highest point accomplished is 14,270ft. Hikers travel through remote forests, snow covered mountain tops, ghost towns, and remnants of the gold rush.

New Mexico (820 Miles)

The CDT extends into “The Land of Enchantment” of New Mexico. Dramatic deserts of adobe architecture, ancient civilizations, and red rock cliffs give hikers a unique desert hiking experience.

Who is “Sunshine”

Sunshine is the trail name for Stephanie Lorenze. Not only is she a kind-hearted, fun, and go with the flow type of person. She has completed the Appalachian Trail and wants to complete the CDT. From her family, friends, and trail mates, everyone wishes they could always have Sunshine part of their life.
While on the Appalachian Trail she fell in love with the carefree nature and describes her toughest day hiking better then any other day. Her training grounds are the bucolic mountains of West Virginia.

Updates From the Trail

Entry #1 April 19th Adventure and Water

Learn about Stephanie and her goals as an inspirational thru-hiker and advocate for clean water.

entry #3 The Beginning! Getting to the CDT

Some early trail magic have allowed Sunshine and her fellow
friends to the trail head to start hiking.

Hola Trek subscribers! This video is the beginning of my CDT Adventure. If you're interested in learning more about MissionCleanWater here is the link to my donation page: https://missioncleanwater.org/sunshine ...and here is the link to an informational video about the fundraiser that I'm supporting: https://vimeo.com/335473611?ref=em-share If you're interesting in helping me reach my goal you can either donate at the link above (https://missioncleanwater.org/sunshine) OR text "sunshinecdt" to 44321 to donate to this wonderful cause.

Entry #2 June 17th Planning for a Departure

Stephanie departs very soon! Learn more below about her CDT thru hike and about what it takes to complete it.

Hola Trek subscribers! This video is an interview between my friend Spoons and I about my next thru-hike attempt on the Continental Divide Trail (CDT). Click the subscribe button to stay updated on my upcoming CDT hike this summer.

Entry #4 Day 1! Mile 0-9.5

Sunshine started the first steps of the CDT and the views
are breathtaking.

Hola Trek subscribers! This is a video of our first day hiking on the Continental Divide Trail! If you're interested in learning more about MissionCleanWater here is the link to my donation page: https://missioncleanwater.org/sunshine ...and here is the link to an informational video about the fundraiser that I'm supporting: https://vimeo.com/335473611?ref=em-share If you're interesting in helping me reach my goal you can either donate at the link above (https://missioncleanwater.org/sunshine) OR text "sunshinecdt" to 44321 to donate to this wonderful cause.

Episode #5: Hail, Bears, and Rest Days

A good rest day helped their trail legs rest and they are back at it.

It's warming up!

Episode #6: NO Water, you rely on trail angels

The team continues forward experiencing a dry spell with little water to drink.

Big views!

Episode #7: Enjoying Cold Wet clothes

Its always easy to stay positive when you have friends.

Episode #8: Glacial Divides and Lost Trails

When the trail is snow covered, it can be easy to get lost.

Hola Trek subscribers! This is a video of our fifth day of hiking on the CDT. We started our hike at Red Eagle Lake Campground and ended our day at Atlantic ...

Episode #9: Trekking in Knee Deep Snow

Never ending rain, cold and numbness. But we all could not be happier to have beer.

Hola Trek subscribers! This is a video of our sixth day of hiking on the CDT. We started our hike at Atlantic Creek Campground and ended our day at Two Medic...

Episode #10: Getting over being sick

Sunshine has gotten a bad cold but that is not stopping her from moving forward! Beautiful views and goats!

Hola Trek subscribers! This is a video of our seventh day of hiking on the CDT. We started our hike at Two Medicine Campground and ended our day at East Glacier Park Village. We walked around 10.5 miles that day. We took two zero days in East Glacier Village after this day.

Episode #11: Rest, Relaxation, And Not Getting Lost

After two solid rest days, the crew hits the trail where it is very easy to make a wrong turn.

Hola Trek subscribers! This is a video of our eighth day of hiking on the CDT. After taking two zero days at East Glacier Village to get my phone fixed and rest up my foot, we hiked out of town and ended our day at Summit Campground.

Episode #12: A perfect day of hiking

Some days are pristine and enjoyable. It makes helps Sunshine remember why she enjoys the trail.

Hola Trek subscribers! This is a video of our ninth day of hiking on the CDT. We started our hike at Summit Campground and stealth camped after hiking around 20 miles that day.

Episode #13: We might see a bear!

Skip to 5:40 minutes to hear how good they can sing and race to eat the most!

Hola Trek subscribers! This is a video of our tenth day of hiking on the CDT. We hiked from our stealth spot to the beginning of the Spotted Bear Alternate. We hiked 22.7 miles that day and camped next to a ranger cabin on the alternate.

Episode #14: To take a dip in the river or not to dip.

Will he get his feet wet in the many river crossings? Probably. Watch to find out.

Hola Trek subscribers! This is a video of our eleventh day of hiking on the CDT. We started our day at a ranger cabin on the Spotted Bear Alternate and ended up hiking around 21 miles that day.

Episode #15: Making friends with Elk

They are getting used to the trail and are covering 20+ mile days with not much difficulty.

Hola Trek subscribers! This is a video of our twelfth day of hiking on the CDT. We started our day hiking on the Spotted Bear Alternate route and met back up with the CDT this day. We hiked a total of 20 miles.

Episode #16: We will see Ledo when we see him

Ledo, their hiking partner pushed ahead to get a food resupply. Will they find him?

Hola Trek subscribers! This is a video of our thirteenth day of hiking on the CDT. We hiked around 14 miles that day and hitched a ride into Augusta, Montana. We took a zero day and spent the 4th of July in Augusta drinking beer and eating food.

Episode #17: Your Utility Belt! The Montana jungle

Sunshine is not scarred of any water. The whole trail is flooded.

Hola Trek subscribers! This is a video of our fourteenth day of hiking on the CDT. We got back on trail after taking a zero day in Augusta, MT. We hiked around 19 miles that day and stealth camped in a pretty field.

Episode #18: WE just saw a grizzley bear!

A bear is close and it sounds like thunder when it runs! A LOT OF HAIL!! A MUST WATCH VIDEO

Hola Trek subscribers! This is a video of our fifteenth day of hiking on the CDT. This day was pretty eventful for us. We planned on hiking around 21 miles, but we ended up pushing further to avoid camping in severe thunderstorms on extremely exposed terrain.

Episode #19: RESUPPLY & bEER! RESUPPLY & bEER!

An 8 mile day into town to resupply, have some beer, and relax.

Hola Trek subscribers! This is a video of our sixteenth day of hiking on the CDT. We hiked 8 miles into Lincoln, MT to resupply food and we camped at the Wheel Inn Tavern for the night.

Episode #20: 27 miles of no water!

“We are safe from bears, but I don’t know about lightning.”
”Look at all those chickens.”

Hola Trek subscribers! This is a video of our seventeenth day of hiking on the CDT. We hiked 16.8 miles out of Lincoln, MT and stealth camped.

Episode #21: 11.9 miles without water!

Trail Angels to the rescue helping supply water on 16-30 miles of trail with no water supply.

Hola Trek subscribers! This is a video of our eighteenth day of hiking on the CDT. We hiked 20.6 miles this day. The water sources have been scarce and we have had to pay more attention to how much water we need to pack up and carry out in this section.

Episode #22: Issues with running out of water

This stretch of trail has little to no water supply but sunshine is champing through while eating mashed potatoes!

Hola Trek subscribers! This is a video of our nineteenth day of hiking on the CDT. We hiked around 31 miles this day. We camped by MacDonald's Pass and hitched into Helena, MT to resupply and take two zeros.

Episode #23: Caught in a terrible storm

Kinda screwed when the wind knocks down trees and the lightning is a few feet away.

Hola Trek subscribers! This is a video of our twentieth day of hiking on the CDT. We hiked 17 miles this day.

Episode #24: On a Mission to Resupply

Misplaced signs and confusing mileage markers set them back a few miles.

Hola Trek subscribers! This is a video of our twenty-first day of hiking on the CDT. Our next resupply for food was in Anaconda, MT. We hiked 24.4 miles this day.

Episode: #25: Sharing Water with Cows

A bear was right on their tent as they tried to sleep. No water for 30 miles :(.

Episode: #26: Day 23 Recovering from a 0.

We found a dog! Meeting friends through Trail Dogs.

Hola Trek subscribers! This is a video of our twenty-second day of hiking on the CDT. We took the Anaconda alternate to the town of Anaconda, MT to resupply on food. It was a very challenging day for us both mentally and physically.

Hola Trek subscribers! This is a video of our twenty-third day of hiking on the CDT. We left the town of Anaconda and continued on the alternate for the rest of the day. Unfortunately, the majority of this alternate is road walking, but the end of it offered breathtakingly beautiful views.

Episode #27: Serene AF

High Alpine Lakes and Climbing Above 9,000ft

Episode: #28: Pushing when running low on food

In his mighty glory, the cow god!

Hola Trek subscribers! This is a video of our twenty-fourth day of hiking on the CDT. We started the day at Storm Lake on the Anaconda route and ended our day at Rainbow Lake back on the CDT route. We hiked 25 miles this day and were worn out from all the climbs.

Hola Trek subscribers! This is a video of our twenty-fifth day of hiking on the CDT. We were running low on food and trying to push bigger miles to Sula Campground in Montana for our food resupply. We hiked 27.1 miles this day.

EPISODE #29: Cold nights and warm snuggles

When your cold, you keep walking.

Episode #30: Back to the Trailllll. Thank You Todd

Whats Worse Fly’s or Mosquito’s? PUDD

Hola Trek subscribers! This is a video of our twenty-sixth day of hiking on the CDT. We were basically out of food and trying to get to Sula Campground in Montana to get our resupply box. We hiked 24.2 miles this day and zeroed the next day at Sula Campground.

Hola Trek subscribers! This is a video of our twenty-seventh day of hiking on the CDT. After zeroing at Sula Campground, we got a late start back on the CDT. We hiked 21 miles this day. The next resupply town is Leadore, ID.

Episode #31: Bones Everywhere

Walking through Bone City.

Hola Trek subscribers! This is a video of our twenty-eighth day of hiking on the CDT. We hiked 24.3 miles this day. The next resupply town is Leadore, ID.

Episode #32 DAys 32-36

Another day, another storm out in the open.

Hola Trek subscribers! This is a video is of our CDT hike from days 32 to 36. We zeroed in Leadore, ID then hiked back out on the CDT and our next resupply town was Lima, MT. It was around a 103 mile hike between Leadore and Lima.

Episode #34 Day 42-48

Cheers to making it to Wyoming!

Episode #33: Days 37-41

Hard to stay on trail from tall grass and blowdowns.

Hola Trek subscribers! This is a video is of our CDT hike from days 36 to 41. We are getting closer to our first big milestone, the MT/WY border. It was a 96.1 mile food carry from Lima, MT to West Yellowstone, MT.

Hola Trek subscribers! This is a video is of our CDT hike from days 42 to 48. After taking a zero day in West Yellowstone, MT, we headed back out to trail. We arrive to our first big milestone of the trail, the borderline of Idaho/Wyoming.

Episode #36 Day 57-60

Episode #35 Day 49-56

Kindness from Strangers is the Best!

Hola Trek subscribers, This video is of days 57-60 of our CDT hike. After staying in Atlantic City for a day and a half waiting for our food package, we get a late start back on trail. These next four days we take on the Great Basin.

Episode# 37: Day 61-67

COLORADO!!!!!

Hola Trek subscribers, This video is of days 61-67 of our CDT hike. After hiking our fastest through the Great Basin, we made it to Rawlins, WY for the night to resupply and recoup.