Route

Divide Transit

North-to-south traverse along the spine of the continent. Glacial terrain, scree, alpine meadow, snowfield, cirque lake. The route follows former mountain roads and fire tracks at elevation. Pass summits at 3,200 m and 3,400 m. This is the highest and shortest route in the collection, with the greatest concentration of obstacles per kilometer. Instrument anomalies documented in one segment. Origin at the Basin and Range terminus compound. Terminus at a large maintained structure on a south-facing slope.

Distance: ~900 km
Elevation: 1,400–3,400 m
Gain / Loss: +12,800 m / −11,600 m
Min. Clearance: 300 mm
Breakover: 25°
Max. Gradient: 22%
Max. Ford: 400 mm (spring: +350 mm)
Obstacles: 31 >300 mm / 14 >500 mm
Surface: 15% degraded asphalt, 30% rock, 40% scree/gravel, 15% soil

Segments

km 0 — 180

Origin at the maintained compound that terminates the Basin and Range route. The track departs south on a former forest road, ascending steadily through mixed conifer. Gradient is moderate (8–10%) for the first 120 km, with a well-preserved gravel surface. Aspen groves in the lower elevations, transitioning to spruce and fir above 2,400 m. A seasonal stream crossing at km 90 is typically shallow (150 mm) but increases significantly during snowmelt. At km 140, the tree line begins to thin. The road surface deteriorates above 2,600 m—asphalt fragments in a matrix of loose gravel and exposed bedrock. The segment ends at a broad alpine saddle at 2,800 m. Visibility from the saddle extends in all directions; useful landmark for navigation reference.

Surface: 25% degraded asphalt, 40% gravel, 20% rock, 15% soil
Max. gradient: 10%
Obstacles: 3 >300 mm (exposed bedrock steps, root heave)

km 180 — 340

First major pass. The route ascends from the saddle through alpine meadow and boulder fields to the first pass summit at 3,200 m. Gradient exceeds 12% for 20 km on the northern approach. Surface is loose scree over bedrock—tire traction is poor, low-range gearing essential. Above 3,000 m, the terrain is exposed: no tree cover, wind speeds routinely exceed 60 km/h, visibility can deteriorate rapidly. The pass summit is a narrow gap between two peaks. Width is adequate for a single vehicle with no margin. Beyond the summit, the descent is initially steep (18%) through a boulder field, then moderates through a series of cirque lakes. The lakes are useful navigation landmarks. A snowmelt ford at km 280 is the deepest on this segment: 400 mm at seasonal median, substantially deeper in spring. The route continues through a high valley between km 300 and km 340, relatively flat, with alpine grass over compacted soil.

Surface: 10% degraded asphalt, 35% rock, 45% scree, 10% soil
Max. gradient: 18%
Max. ford: 400 mm (+350 mm spring)
Obstacles: 8 >300 mm / 4 >500 mm (boulder field, scree slides, bedrock steps)

km 340 — 500

Second pass and interference zone. The route ascends from the high valley to the second and highest pass at 3,400 m. The approach is the steepest on any documented route: sustained 22% gradient for 8 km on loose scree. Vehicle momentum must be maintained—stopping on the incline risks loss of traction and uncontrolled rearward movement. The summit is broader than the first pass, approximately 200 m across, with a cairn visible at the high point. The descent south is steep but shorter, dropping to 2,800 m over 12 km.

Between km 460 and km 480, compass deviation exceeds 20° and onboard navigation systems do not function. Position data is erratic or absent. The effect is consistent across multiple traversals and is not attributable to known geological sources. Landmark navigation is required for this segment. Visible reference points: a distinctive pyramidal peak at bearing 195° from km 460 (visible in clear conditions from 30 km); a cirque lake at the base of the eastern wall, visible from the road at km 470; the pass summit behind at bearing 355°. The interference ceases abruptly at km 480. Navigation systems resume normal function within 2–3 minutes.

Surface: 5% degraded asphalt, 40% rock, 45% scree, 10% soil
Max. gradient: 22%
Obstacles: 11 >300 mm / 6 >500 mm (scree, rockfall, bedrock ledge)

km 500 — 700

Southern descent. Below km 500, the terrain moderates. The route follows a former fire track through a series of descending valleys. Tree line reappears at approximately 2,600 m. Spruce and fir, then mixed conifer. Road surface improves with elevation loss—gravel over compacted base, intermittent asphalt patches. Stream crossings become more frequent: seven in this segment, all below 250 mm at seasonal median. The largest crossing at km 620 has a concrete culvert, partially blocked by debris but still functional. At km 650, the route passes along the edge of a cirque lake at 2,200 m. The lake is approximately 400 m across, deep blue, ringed by scree slopes. A flat area at the outflow provides a suitable vehicle staging point.

Surface: 20% degraded asphalt, 35% gravel, 25% rock, 20% soil
Max. gradient: 14%
Obstacles: 6 >300 mm / 3 >500 mm (stream bed crossings, culvert debris)

km 700 — 900

Final descent to terminus. The route continues south through dense conifer, descending steadily. Road condition is the best on this route—a former two-lane forest road, asphalt partially intact, gravel shoulders. Gradient rarely exceeds 8%. Fewer obstacles. A small maintained bridge at km 780 spans a creek—timber deck on steel beams, load capacity adequate, deck shows wear from vehicle traffic. At km 840, the forest opens to a south-facing meadow slope. The terminus structure is visible from approximately 2 km: a large building on the south-facing slope, stone foundation, timber frame, standing-seam metal roof, extensive solar collection panels on the south and west faces. A vehicle bay is visible on the eastern end—wide door, compacted gravel apron, tire tracks. A second, smaller structure stands approximately 100 m to the west. Both are clearly maintained and operational. This compound is also the origin of the Great Plain route.

Surface: 35% degraded asphalt, 40% gravel, 15% rock, 10% soil
Max. gradient: 8%
Obstacles: 3 >300 mm / 1 >500 mm (tree fall, eroded culvert)

Seasonal variation

Winter: snow cover above 2,800 m from late autumn through late spring. Both passes may be impassable without chains or tracked vehicle conversion. Ford depths at elevation are minimal (frozen). Road surfaces below 2,400 m are stable but may ice in shade.

Spring: snowmelt is the dominant factor. Ford at km 280 increases to approximately 750 mm. Stream crossings in the southern descent increase by 100–200 mm. Scree surfaces become less stable as ice that binds them thaws. Rockfall frequency increases. The most demanding season for this route.

Summer: optimal conditions for the passes. Snow has cleared above 3,000 m by mid-summer. Fords at seasonal minimum. Scree surfaces are as stable as they get. Afternoon thunderstorms at elevation are common—lightning exposure on the exposed passes is a consideration for antenna-equipped vehicles.

Autumn: conditions deteriorate from the top. First snow at the passes by mid-autumn. A narrow window between summer heat and autumn snow provides the most predictable conditions. Ford depths decreasing.

Network

This route connects two shared termini.

Basin and Range — the origin compound is the terminus of Basin and Range.
Great Plain — the terminus structure is the origin of Great Plain.

Revision

Route surveyed in full across multiple seasons. Instrument anomalies at km 460–480 confirmed on every traversal. Pass conditions documented in summer and autumn; winter and spring data extrapolated from lower-elevation observations and snow depth measurements. Obstacle counts reflect summer conditions; spring rockfall increases counts by an estimated 20–30%.