Stretching the spine of the Rocky Mountains between the Canadian and Mexican borders, the 2,500-mile Great Divide Bike Route is the world’s premiere off-road cycling track. Students on our beginner-friendly Great Divide Mountain Bike Adventure experience the route’s most spectacular stretches through Montana, Idaho and Wyoming. Both Wilderness Ventures and our home town of Jackson Hole, Wyoming have a strong historical, natural and cultural connection to the Great Divide.
History
The Great Divide Hiking Trail was formed in 1974 as a trekking route traversing the continental rooftop (literally the highest line between the Atlantic and the Pacific). Wilderness Ventures has been leading inspiring backpacking trips on the Great Divide since our first summer adventure in 1973. Thanks to over 40 years of experience in this region (and in the most tremendous environments around the world), we can provide the most meaningful and enjoyable outdoor adventure experiences to today’s young people. In 1990, shortly after the advent of the mountain bike itself, the Adventure Cycling Association (headquartered in nearby Missoula, Montana) began work pioneering what has become known as one of the most ambitious, awe inspiring and enjoyable cycling routes today.
Nature
Known as the American Serengeti, Yellowstone National Park, which spans the Continental Divide between Montana and Jackson Hole, is habitat to an abundance of iconographic species. During our time both sea kayaking and cycling in the park, students enjoy the opportunity to spy wild buffalo, moose, wolves, bear, Bald eagles and many other magnificent species. Of course, Yellowstone is also known for its beautiful scenery and spectacles of geothermal wonder. Cycling through the park gives students the chance to see the most famous sights and geysers along the way, including Old Faithful and the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone.
Culture
Bordering the southern edge of Yellowstone, our home of Jackson Hole is steeped in a rich and vibrant culture of recreation and adventure on the Great Divide. Wilderness Ventures students can experience the Divide on horseback during one of our Horsepacking Adventures, while fly fishing the high country on a Fly Fishing Adventure, during a climb of the 13,771-foot Grand Teton and on any of our classic, overnight backpacking adventures that have been a staple of our wilderness programming since 1973. In addition to hosting a storied record of conservationists such as John D. Rockefeller, artists such as Ansel Adams and adventure seekers such as Paul Petzoldt, Jackson Hole is also the current home of professional cyclist Jay Petervary, two-time winner of the 2,745-mile Tour Divide bike race.
In addition to enjoying their beginner-friendly ride through the most stunning environments open to any cyclist, students on the Great Divide Mountain Bike Adventure whitewater raft the thrilling Gallatin River, sea kayak the pristine waters of Yellowstone Lake and explore our nation’s first National Park. Moreover, they develop fast bonds to their trip mates and to their environment while having the best moments of their lives in an inspiring setting.
