The “big” alternative is the Big Sky/Super Butte Alternative. Big as in it saves a couple-three hundred miles and big as it is the biggest one. Taking the route is about three weeks rather than 5-6 weeks.
To quote about it.
There are several different starting points for the Alternative route. This map of the Ocean Pass start is useful because it shows the highways and the cities. Most Big Sky Alternatives take off about 45 miles later at the top of the peak north of the [20] on the following map.
For comparison, this map shows shows all the cities:
Then this map shows the “best” route using a topo map.
This is a close up of where you start that route:
Then you head west. This is also a resupply. You hitch about six miles to Ennis for a resupply. Ennis also has a good restaraunt.
Continuing on:
Close up:
Then you turn north again.
Now headed further in on the green line..
Notice that the scale is down to a mile a virtual inch.
And into town:
That is the route. From here you can follow FarOut north and onward.
This is the complete route:
And one more overall map that focuses on the roads and doesn’t show the cut-off I expect to use. On the other hand, this approach goes through Big Sky rather than waiting until Ennis for resupply:
Links (note that a number or sources are no longer live links):
- The Cal Topo Map: https://caltopo.com/m/7QSQ
- The 350 mile route discussed: https://aweewalk.blog/2009/10/31/cdt-big-sky-route-alt-notes/
- https://thetrek.co/continental-divide-trail/overview-major-alternates-along-cdt/ The Trek discussion. Could have more specifics.
- https://wildwesttrail.co/http:/wildwesttrail.co/shop/big-sky-variant-gpx-file/ GPX files for sale.
- https://store.avenza.com/products/super-butte-alternate-map-bundle-mountain-prana-map-works-map digital maps sold for the route using the Avenza app.
- https://drive.google.com/drive/u/0/folders/16tlDI5xuLLfWPDwEU-1AyAsP9PuFMTbY Google docs with maps and other data.
- https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/viewer?mid=1zRF7iWfmnDJK_0vWGuxe4TliSjZP8iuG&ll=44.675147900500995%2C-111.87700500000001&z=8 Google maps map, alternative route.
- Keebler & Crew Gaia GPS route. https://www.gaiagps.com/public/UzeH3PYY0aNR7UMQVwaTPKnj/?layer=GaiaTopoRasterMeters
- Another Gaia GPS route https://www.gaiagps.com/public/LTwWUlM1bPjQuxjkvMCNurdk/?layer=GaiaTopoRasterFeet
There is not a uniform or complete approach to this yet. I’ve talked with FarOut and they’ve debated adding it, but have not done so up to now.
While I’m hopeful they will, I’m not counting on it.