Hello,
I would like to do my first thru hike of a long trail in 2006. Am a little torn between the PCT (which I have heard many great things about, and which looks very scenic and beautiful) and the Canadian GDT (on which I can hardly find any information). All I know about the GDT is it starts at Glacier National Park (US) and Waterton Lakes National Park (Canada) where they meet at the border, and goes north
Dreamer
Sorry, accidentally posted before I was done! So this GDT is 1200 km/750 miles, and is supposed to be very rugged and wild and not as well marked as AT/PCT/CDT. I am just wondering if anyone has done both PCT and GDT and recommends one over another?
Any info is appreciated!
Thanks!
Dreamer
Hey Dreamer.
Don’t know if I can be of much help, but I do have my sights set on the GDT in either 2005 or 2006. This year I will be doing PCT starting in 59 days!!! I have a couple of websites and have talked with one individual that will be hiking the GDT this year. Email me if you would like to hear more.
But as far as I can tell from research, the GDT is hardly marked. Lots of road walking and a lot more time between resupply points. Everything out there can eat you and there is a very good chance you wouldn’t see another thru-hiker for this trail unless you planned to go as partners. Heard everything north of Jasper is very remote.
I was all set to do the GDT this year until my hiking friends convinced me to join them on the PCT. Since agreeing, two out of three have backed out on it (cough Yahtzee*****Flying Bearcough).
Ganj
Check out Chris Townsend’s ‘High Summer: Backpacking the Canadian Rockies.’ He did 1600 miles from Waterton Lakes to the Liard River in 1988. Looks incredibly rugged.
joel
Totally different experiences. PcT is a 5 month hike, through desert and mountains. GDT is a 2 month hike (can’t start until mid-July) only in the high mountains. PCT is hot for the most part, GDT is cooler. PCT you get one free permit for the entire trail before you go, GDT you have to get separate permits for each park you visit, in advance, with reservations for each of your campsites, which you pay for. I think it comes to about $7.00 a day for your permits and reservations. GDT is more beautiful more of the time. PCT has a lot of nice highlights, but a lot of connector bits as well. GDT you are more likely to have weather - rain or snow. PCT you mostly only have weather in Washington. Both are worth doing, but the PCT is much less regulated. GDT has sections with no people, and then in the parks you’ll run into masses of people and may have a hard time getting campsite reservations. I haven’t done the GDT yet, (we will) but we hiked in Jasper/Banff/Lake Louise/Mt. Robson last summer, so have some idea what is up there. The regulation in the Canadian Parks is the biggest downside to that trail. The beauty of the mountains is the upside.
Spirit Walker