Trail and road conditions are monitored by the GDTA but much of this information is crowd-sourced and depends on trail user contributions. Please report trail conditions via email.
May 5, 2024
Spring is in the air and this is transition time on the GDT. Recent snowfall means valley bottom trails at lower elevations vary from slushy and icy to bare and muddy, while trails at higher elevation remain snowbound. With warmer weather, trail conditions can change quickly from icy in the morning to slushy and slippery in the afternoon. Plan for varying conditions – warm layers, boots, snowshoes, cleats and/or poles are recommended. Please note that most trails are not maintained in the winter and downed trees won’t be removed until the trails are clear, usually in July.
TRAIL CLOSURES AND NOTICES:
- SNOW MELT: While snow levels in the southern and central Rockies are lower than average for this time of year, spring melt is later (i.e. more normal) than last year’s unusually early melt so it’s still too early to tell when the GDT will be snowfree. Spring avalanche conditions continue to exist so prepare accordingly. For up to date snow level data in BC, check out the Snow Survey Stations Interactive Map. In Alberta, check out the Alberta River Basins map (turn on the snow pillow layer).
- CLOSURE – Mount Robson Provincial Park: Portions of the Berg Lake Trail will remain closed for repairs during the 2024 season, eliminating access to or from the GDT. Kinney Lake and Whitehorn campgrounds will be open for reservations on a four-month rolling window. Mount Robson Visitor Centre has temporarily suspended its resupply package service. The Moose River Trail is open, giving GDT Hikers 4 options to use as the GDT northern terminus other than the Berg Lake Trail:
1. Jasper
2. Moose River
3. Blueberry
4. Kakwa - CLOSURE – Collie Creek Alternate Route: The Blaeberry bridge near Cairnes Creek Rec Site was removed last summer, cutting off access to the Collie Creek Trail on the east side of the Blaeberry River. The main route of the GDT via Ensign Creek Road to Cairnes Creek is still open and accessible.
- CLOSURE – Egypt Lake and Bryant Creek shelters are closed until further notice due to construction.
- ELK CALVING SEASON: mid May to June 30. Protective mother elk will aggressively protect their newborns by kicking and charging at people. Stay at least 30 metres away from all elk during this time of year. Pay attention to trail closures in known elk calving areas.
- TICKS: Tick season has started. Be extra careful when in areas with a lot of underbrush and check yourself and your clothing after your hike.
- BEARS: With spring’s arrival, bears are leaving their dens in search of food. Be bear aware on the trails this spring, make noise and carry bear spray.
ACCESS:
- A Kananaskis Conservation Pass will be required for all vehicles visiting Kananaskis Country and provincial sites in the Bow Valley Corridor. The pass is not required for people arriving without a vehicle on foot, horseback or bicycle.
- Highway 40 is closed south of Kananaskis Lakes Trail to Highwood House junction until June 14, 2024.
- BC Parks lists Walker Creek FSR as closed at km 37 due to unsafe road conditions, but the road remains accessible beyond that point for those with high clearance 4WD vehicles willing to drive the very rough and overgrown road all the way to from the Bastille Creek trailhead.
- For more information, check out Alberta 511 and Drive BC.
National and Provincial Park Trail Conditions:
Banff National Park
Jasper National Park – Submit a Jasper trail condition report
Kootenay National Park
Waterton Lakes National Park
Yoho National Park
Akamina‐Kishinena Provincial Park
Castle Wildland Provincial Park
Castle Provincial Park
Elk Lakes Provincial Park
Height of the Rockies Provincial Park
Kakwa Provincial Park
Mount Assiniboine Provincial Park
Mount Robson Provincial Park
Peter Lougheed Provincial Park
