August 26, 2022
Wildflowers are blooming and berry season has started! Most of the GDT is now snow free with the exception of some lingering snow patches at higher elevations. Valley bottom trails at lower elevations are mostly dry.
TRAIL CLOSURES AND NOTICES:
- COVID-19: We encourage everyone who spends time on the GDT this year to do so safely and continue to do your part to limit the spread of COVID-19. The GDTA continues to support single-day hikes or horseback rides on the GDT and longer (weekend or multi-day) trips where trails and trailheads are open. Be aware that some facilities and services along the GDT may be closed or limited. Hikers with plans on the GDT should pay close attention to provincial and local health restrictions as they evolve and be prepared to make changes to your plans in order to comply with these restrictions.
- CLOSURE – Mount Robson Provincial Park: Due to ongoing assessment and construction following the significant damage from last year’s flooding, the entire Berg Lake Trail, including the parking lot, will be closed throughout 2022 for all activities and for both day and overnight users. 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 UPDATE – Jasper National Park: 6-Passes Alternate Route is closed to all overnight random camping but is open to random day use activity.
- CLOSURE – Forks campground in Peter Lougheed Provincial Park is closed all summer due to construction.
- CLOSURE – Egypt Lake and Bryant Creek shelters are closed until further notice due to construction.
- DAMAGED BRIDGE – Chown Creek bridge (g2) was damaged by extreme flooding last year and only a portion of the bridge remains. If the creek is impassable, NOBO hikers can bushwhack in the forest on the south bank of Chown Creek and reconnect to the GDT about 3 km upstream. SOBO hikers should not ford Chown Creek.
- OPEN – The new High Rock Trail is open while trail crews continue working on it this summer, so be mindful and say hello!
- FIRES: While wildfires aren’t burning close to the GDT, fire bans or advisories are in effect along some of the GDT. Campfires are banned in Alberta from the US border to the Oldman River including Waterton Lakes National Park and in BC from Akamina Pass to Howse Pass, not including Kootenay and Yoho national parks. If you must have a campfire in the backcountry, ensure you follow the rules.
- CREEKS: Rapid snow melt during this time of year results in high water levels and potentially dangerous creek crossings, particularly later in the day. Attempt to ford larger creeks early in the day when water levels are lowest.
- BEARS: It’s berry season! Berry bushes border trails, roads and campgrounds on the GDT, and black bears and grizzly bears are feeding on berries right now. It is easy to surprise a bear that is focused on feeding, so be extra bear aware on the trails: stay alert, make noise and carry bear spray.
- WARNING – Yoho National Park: A grizzly bear is frequenting the Yoho Valley including Monarch Campground, Kicking Horse Campground, Takkakaw Falls Campground, Laughing Falls Campground, Twin Falls Campground, Little Yoho Campground and Yoho Lake Campground.
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 1 road construction 4 km east of Golden – No daytime stoppages from June 1 to September 15, 2022. Prepare for weekday nighttime closures (10pm-7am), delays and single lane traffic. If necessary, detour via Highway 93S and Highway 95
- 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
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
