Crazy Cook Monument, New Mexico

This monument at the border fence with Mexico is considered the southern terminus/origin of the Continental Divide Trail, though it is 35 miles from where the Divide actually hits the Mexican fence (however that site is on a private ranch which does not allow hikers or any other visitors). Most people who hike the entire 3,100-mile long Continental Divide trail, do so from south to north, starting in May and arriving at the other end in September. This avoids the summer heat of the southern part, and gives time for the snow to melt from the peaks of the north. Southbound hikers start in June, and end up here in October. There is no official way to track how many through-hikers actually make it every year, but a few hundred is possibly likely, with the vast majority going northbound.