Author: bradvaillancourt

August 2014 Trail and Road Conditions
Trail Conditions Update – AUGUST 12, 2014

The GDT is mostly dry and snowfree, and wildflowers are in bloom! As a result of last summer’s flood damage to the trail and bridges, some trails remain closed in 2014 (see below). It is recommended that anyone planning to hike the GDT this year research the status of any trails you wish to use and exercise additional caution and allow adequate time to route-find and safely navigate unforeseen obstacles.

Trail Closures and Notices:
- TRAILS RE-OPENED – With the Spreading Creek Wildfire now under control, the Owen Creek Trail, the Howse River/Pass Trail and the GDT southeast of Hwy 11 have all re-opened.
- TRAIL CLOSURE – Elk Lakes Provincial Park: Lower Elk Lakes trail beyond the campground (between Lower and Upper Lakes) and the trail from Upper Elk Lakes to West Elk Pass are closed due to washed out bridges and sections of trail. DETOUR: Use Elkan Creek trail from the parking lot to Elk Pass (4km).
- ACCESS TRAIL CLOSURES – Kootenay National Park: Tumbling Creek Trail remains closed for the summer.
- TRAIL RE-OPENED – Numa Creek Trail reopened on July 24.
- Cairnes Creek: The bridge is washed out making this a potentially dangerous ford. It is recommended to cross early in the morning when glacial melt is lowest.
- The Lambe Creek bridge is badly damaged so it is recommended to ford the creek further downstream and avoid using the broken bridge.
Access Roads Update

Alberta:
- Highway 11 and Highway 93 are open.
- Highway 40 is open from Highway 1 to Highway 541 but traffic is detoured or limited to one-lane in some areas due to construction work, in particular near Lineham Creek and Cat Creek where new bridges are being constructed. For more information, check out Alberta 511.
- Construction continues on Forestry Trunk Road 940 south of Cataract Creek to the Hwy 532 junction. The road will be open every Friday through Monday for recreational users but closed for construction activities from Tuesday to Thursday each week until further notice.
- Highway 532 eastbound and westbound from junction of Forestry Trunk Road 940 to Highway 22 remains open during road repairs.
- The Oldman River Road is washed out approximately 10 kilometres from the junction with Forestry Trunk Road 940 with no timetable for repair/re-opening.
BC:
- The Elk River Road accessing Elk Lakes Provincial Park is open.
August 5, 2014
Pathfinder Newsletter – July 2014
Summer is here and that means it is time to get back up into the mountains! This year’s freshet has been modest compared to last year but water levels are still high and snow is still melting at higher elevations.

Trail Maintenance Trip Update

Plans are confirmed for our GDT Trail Maintenance Trip taking place from July 24 to 27 in the Hidden Creek area. We will be repairing damage to the trail caused by last year’s floods and re-establishing the trail from Tornado Pass to Hidden Creek. We’ll be repairing and building trail tread, removing brush and fallen trees, blazing and marking the trail, assessing damage to bridges and performing riparian restoration as required. Thanks to everyone who has volunteered to come out and help!

GDTA Website Update

The GDTA website has been updated! A few pages are still under construction and more information will be added in the coming months. Check it out: www.greatdividetrail.com

We are now accepting paid memberships to the GDTA. $30 Annual GDTA Membership gives you up to date information and trip‐planning resources for the Great Divide Trail; voting status at meetings of members of the GDTA; eligibility to serve on the GDTA Board of Directors; invitations to participate in trail classes and volunteer trail projects; and the knowledge that you are helping to protect and preserve the Great Divide Trail. See our website for more information on how to become a member.

Our website now has a Trail Conditions page including a ‘Trail Conditions Update Form’ where you can report trail conditions. So if you are hiking on the GDT this summer and see something that other hikers should know about, let us know!

GDTA AGM

The Great Divide Trail Association Annual General Meeting will be held on Tuesday, September 16 at 7:00pm in Calgary, Alberta; location to be confirmed. Further information will be posted on our website once available.

Trail Conditions Update

While the snow is melting fast, higher elevation sections of the GDT are still under snow with early season trail conditions = wet and muddy. As a result of last summer’s flood damage to the trail and bridges, some trails remain closed in 2014 (see below). It is recommended that anyone planning to hike the GDT this year research the status of any trails you wish to use and exercise additional caution and allow adequate time to route-find and safely navigate unforeseen obstacles.

Trail Closures and Notices:
- Elk Lakes Provincial Park: Lower Elk Lakes trail beyond the campground (between Lower and Upper Lakes) and the trail from Upper Elk Lakes to West Elk Pass are closed due to washed out bridges and sections of trail. Use Elkan Creek trail and Elk Pass (east) as a detour.
- Kootenay National Park: Numa Creek trail is temporarily closed due to a washed-out bridge. Tumbling Creek Trail remains closed for the summer.
- Cairnes Creek: The bridge is washed out making this a potentially dangerous ford. It is recommended to cross early in the morning when glacial melt is lowest.
- Highwood House store and gas bar is currently closed.
Access Roads Update

Alberta:
- Highway 40 is open from Highway 1 to Highway 541 but traffic is detoured or limited to one-lane in some areas due to construction work south of Lost Lemon Lookout to the junction with Highway 541, in particular near Lineham Creek where a new bridge is being constructed. For more information, check out Alberta 511.
- Forestry Trunk Road 940 is now open from Highwood House to Highway 532. The section south of Cataract Creek is under construction so expect delays and rough conditions; caution is advised.
- Highway 532 from junction Forestry Trunk Road 940 to Johnson Creek Bridge remains closed.
- The Oldman River Road is washed out approximately 10 kilometres from the junction with Forestry Trunk Road 940 with no timetable for repair/re-opening.
BC:
- The Elk River Road accessing Elk Lakes Provincial Park is now open.
GDT Trip-Planning:

Anyone planning to hike on the GDT this year, please let us know if we can be of assistance with your trip-planning. The GDTA has many trip-planning resources including maps, GPS and Google Earth coordinates, re-supply information and many miles logged on the trail itself, and we’re happy to help!

GDTA Recognition Award

The GDTA would like to recognize the work of Dave Hockey for his considerable efforts to spread the word about the GDT and increase support for official status of the trail. Check out the GDT article in the Calgary Herald and the GDT feature on Alberta Primetime. Thanks Dave!

Like the GDTA’s Facebook page.

Sincerely,

Brad Vaillancourt
President, Great Divide Trail Association
July 18, 2014
July 2014 Trail and Road Conditions
Trail Conditions Update – JULY 22, 2014

High elevation sections of the GDT still have some snow patches but trail conditions are improving quickly. As a result of last summer’s flood damage to the trail and bridges, some trails remain closed in 2014 (see below). It is recommended that anyone planning to hike the GDT this year research the status of any trails you wish to use and exercise additional caution and allow adequate time to route-find and safely navigate unforeseen obstacles.

Trail Closures and Notices:
- TRAIL CLOSURE – As per Ministerial Order 43/2014, the GDT is closed at the Owen Creek trailhead to Pinto Lake due to the Spreading Creek Wildfire burning on the eastern boundary of Banff National Park about 10 kilometres east of the Saskatchewan River Crossing. The wildfire is being held but there is still significant smoke in the area. Highway 11 and Highway 93 are open but expect delays. Check the Alberta Wildfire Report for the latest information. DETOUR: Use Sunset Pass trail or Nigel Pass trail, 16 and 38 km north of the Saskatchewan River Crossing respectively.
- TRAIL CLOSURE – Banff National Park: The Howse River/Pass Trail is closed due to the Spreading Creek Wildfire. No detour is available at this time due to the large size of backcountry area closed due to the wildfire.
- TRAIL CLOSURE – Elk Lakes Provincial Park: Lower Elk Lakes trail beyond the campground (between Lower and Upper Lakes) and the trail from Upper Elk Lakes to West Elk Pass are closed due to washed out bridges and sections of trail. DETOUR: Use Elkan Creek trail and Elk Pass (east).
- ACCESS TRAIL CLOSURES – Kootenay National Park: Numa Creek trail is temporarily closed due to a washed-out bridge. Tumbling Creek Trail remains closed for the summer.
- Cairnes Creek: The bridge is washed out making this a potentially dangerous ford. It is recommended to cross early in the morning when glacial melt is lowest.
- Highwood House store and gas bar are currently closed.
Access Roads Update

Alberta:
- Highway 11 and Highway 93 are open but expect delays due to the Spreading Creek Wildfire.
- Highway 40 is open from Highway 1 to Highway 541 but traffic is detoured or limited to one-lane in some areas due to construction work south of Lost Lemon Lookout to the junction with Highway 541, in particular near Lineham Creek where a new bridge is being constructed. For more information, check out Alberta 511.
- Forestry Trunk Road 940 is now open from Highwood House to Highway 532. The section south of Cataract Creek is under construction so expect delays and rough conditions; caution is advised.
- Highway 532 from junction Forestry Trunk Road 940 to Johnson Creek Bridge remains closed.
- The Oldman River Road is washed out approximately 10 kilometres from the junction with Forestry Trunk Road 940 with no timetable for repair/re-opening.
BC:
- The Elk River Road accessing Elk Lakes Provincial Park is now open.
July 10, 2014
2014 GDTA Trail Maintenance Trip Update
Plans are coming together for our trail maintenance trip taking place in the Hidden Creek area on the Great Divide and our list of participants for this year’s trip is full. Thanks to everyone who has volunteered to participate in this year’s GDT Trail Maintenance Trip!

Trail Maintenance Trip – General Information:
- Dates: Thursday to Sunday, July 24 – 27, 2014
- This year our plan is to repair damage to the trail caused by last year’s floods and re-establish the trail from Tornado Pass to Hidden Creek. We’ll be repairing and building trail tread, removing brush and fallen trees, blazing and marking the trail, assessing damage to bridges and performing riparian restoration as required.
- For those of you new to trail building and maintenance, this year’s trip will include a tool use and safety orientation.
- The GDTA will provide all trail maintenance tools and safety gear as well as all shared camp equipment and food.
- Trail Crew participants are expected to bring their own personal clothing and camping gear (e.g. tent, sleeping bag). For those joining us on the trip, I have sent you a Trail Crew Volunteer Guide including a detailed list of what you should bring.
- As there is no cell phone reception in the area, we will have a satellite phone with us for emergency situations.
Itinerary:

DAY 1 (Thursday, July 24): Meet in Calgary at 6:00am on July 24 where we pack up all of gear into the GDTA trucks and carpool to the Hidden Creek trailhead, about 3 hours away. Bring your own bag lunch for the road trip. From the trailhead we load up all of our gear onto the ATV trailer to transport it to our base camp. The trail crew will walk to our base camp approximately 7km away. Once at base camp we will set up camp and talk about our plans for the next 4 days. We will do tool use and safety orientation and possibly a late afternoon hike on the GDT. Then it will be time for dinner and relaxation around the campfire.

DAY 2 (Friday): Breakfast in the morning followed by a full day of trail maintenance on the Great Divide. Bag lunches will be packed in the morning and eaten on the trail. We will break into groups and do trail maintenance in several locations on the trail. Trail crews return to camp for dinner, evening debrief and relaxation around the campfire.

DAY 3 (Saturday): Another full day of trail maintenance on the Great Divide. Hopefully we will finish the work we need to do on the trail and have some time to ‘play’ on Saturday afternoon: hike to Tornado Saddle (one of the highest points on the GDT), working with the GPS, map and compass use, plant identification, etc.

DAY 4 (Sunday): Morning hike or additional trail maintenance followed by lunch and packing up, take-down and clean up of our camp – ‘leave no trace’. And then drive back, returning to Calgary by about 8:00pm.

We are looking forward to a fun and productive trip this year.

Happy trails!

Brad Vaillancourt
President, Great Divide Trail Association
June 19, 2014
GDT on Alberta Primetime

Alberta Primetime

Check out Great Divide Trail Association chairman, Dave Hockey and Christyann Olson, Executive Director of the Alberta Wilderness Association on Alberta Primetime: http://www.albertaprimetime.com/Stories.aspx?pd=6361

June 19, 2014
Official Status Sought for the Great Divide Trail

David Hockey, chairman of the Great Divide Trails Association

Check out the article in the Calgary Herald with Dave Hockey, chairman of the Great Divide Trail Association: http://www.calgaryherald.com/travel/Official+status+sought+Great+Divide+hiking+trail/9656525/story.html

June 19, 2014
Pathfinder Newsletter – March 2014

Hello all, After one of the coldest winters in a long time, we are all thankful for the arrival of spring! As the snow melts, let’s cross our fingers that we don’t have flooding like last year and soon we’ll be back up in the mountains and on the Great Divide.

CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS:

Plans are coming together for our trail maintenance trip taking place from July 24 to 27 in the Hidden Creek area of the Great Divide but we need you!

This year our plan is to repair damage to the trail caused by last year’s floods and re-establish the trail from Tornado Pass to Hidden Creek. We’ll be repairing and building trail tread, removing brush and fallen trees, blazing and marking the trail, assessing damage to bridges and performing riparian restoration as required. For those of you new to trail building and maintenance, this year’s trip will include a tool use and safety orientation so even if you don’t have previous experience please consider getting involved.

GDTA Trail Maintenance Trip 2014

Where: Hidden Creek
When: July 24 to 27, 2014

Go outdoors. Play in the dirt. Sleep under the stars.

Make a difference. Get involved!

Email me if you are interested in participating in this year’s Trail Maintenance Trip.

If you are not able to participate on the actual trip dates but would like to help with some of the trip planning activities let me know – we can use your help!

Upcoming GDT Presentations:

Interested in learning more about the Great Divide Trail and the work of the GDTA? Come check out one of these presentations!

March 25 at 7:00pm at the Alberta Wilderness Association office (455 – 12 Street NW, CALGARY).
April 7 at 7:00pm at the University of Calgary Outdoor Centre (2500 University Dr NW, CALGARY).
April 9 at 7:00pm at the University of British Columbia Varsity Outdoors Club (Room 235 – Henry Angus Building, 2053 Main Mall, VANCOUVER).
May 27 at 7:00pm at the Calgary MEC (830 – 10th Avenue SW, CALGARY).

GDT Trail Conditions Update:

While the GDT is still under snow, we can report that at the end of last summer, the Trail was generally in good condition and still very hikeable. But as a result of last summer’s flood damage to the trail and bridges it is recommended that anyone planning to hike the GDT this year exercise additional caution and allow adequate time to route-find and safely navigate unforeseen obstacles.

Check out the most recent Snow Reports in BC and Alberta where current snow depths in BC are slightly below seasonal levels and slightly above in Alberta.

Access Roads Update:

Winter conditions still apply to most GDT access roads. Highway 40 is closed from Highway 541 (Highwood House) to Kananaskis Trail for the winter and will re-open on June 15. 14 kilometres of Forestry Trunk Road 940 is open from Highwood House to Cataract Creek but is still closed south of Cataract Creek to the junction of Highway 532. Highway 532 remains closed and is not expected to re-open until July. The Oldman River Road is washed out approximately 15 kilometres from the junction with Forestry Trunk Road 940 with no timetable for repair/re-opening.

GDT Trip-Planning:

Anyone planning to hike on the GDT this year, please let us know if we can be of assistance with your trip-planning. The GDTA has many trip-planning resources including maps, GPS and Google Earth coordinates, re-supply information and many miles logged on the trail itself, and we’re happy to help!

Like the GDTA’s Facebook page.

Sincerely,

Brad Vaillancourt
President, Great Divide Trail Association

June 19, 2014
The Flood of 2013

Unfortunately due to road and trail damage from the severe flooding in south-western Alberta in June 2013, our 2013 GDT Trail Maintenance trip was cancelled.

From August 30 to September 1, 2013, three members of the Great Divide Trail Association hiked from Hidden Creek to Baril Creek, assessing damage to the GDT caused by the extreme flooding. In general the GDT in this section is still in good shape and hikeable but most creeks show some signs of severe flooding and associated damage, e.g. rock and tree debris, mud deposits and in a few extreme cases complete re-routing of the water channel. Several bridges have washed away but all creek crossings can still be forded. There are a few short sections where the trail has washed away but detours exist where necessary.

Flood debris on the Cataract Creek bridge

Flood damaged gully

As a result of damage to the trail and bridges it is recommended that hikers on the GDT exercise additional caution and allow adequate time to route-find and safely navigate unforeseen obstacles.

Former ‘high-level’ bridge over Baril Creek

Highwood House and Baril Creek trailhead are accessible via Highway 541 but other road closures have made access to the GDT difficult or impossible.

June 19, 2014
Etherington Creek – 2012

Fifteen volunteers spent four days camped on the north fork of Etherington Creek. A bridge over the main fork of Etherington Creek was built and the trail was reconstructed through the difficult cut-block section leading toward Baril Creek.

Tools of the Trail Trade

This work was originally planned for 2011, but logistic issues required it to be postponed. This year, everything went smoothly and despite the occasionally threatening – and downright soggy – weather, the planning goals were met.

The ford of Etherington creek is only about three steps, but the channel is deep. One of the first tasks was to reinstall a bridge, replacing one that was swept away in the floods of ’95.

Construction of the new Etherington Creek bridge

The bridge is located a bit further downstream from the original location, and is adjacent to the spot where the Trail exits the trees and enters the meadow bottom lands. The trail has also been rerouted on the north side of the meadows, so it no longer goes between the two hunters camps as it did in the past.

In the cut-block section, which has caused many people problems over the past years, a full day of chainsaw and Pulaski work has cleared the deadfall off the old trail in the upper block, and laid down a new path tread in the lower one. With this work, plus clearing all the way up to Lunch Stop Meadow, we hope some outfitters will start using this section of trail again, and help really establish it.

On Rye Ridge, looking southwest to the Divide

In the other direction, a team went up Rye Ridge and picked up the re-blazing from where work stopped several years ago. The ridge is now blazed north to where the Trail re-enters the trees. A navigation issue (or two) were also addressed by brush clearing.

And perhaps most importantly, we installed our first GDTA sign post. It’s only taken about 35 years, and we hope this is a big step toward formal recognition of the GDT through the Forest Reserve.

Thank you to Mountain Equipment Co-op and Stihl for providing funding and support for the work.

June 19, 2014
Lost Creek – 2010

This year’s planned trail maintenance in the Lost Creek area has been successfully completed. Sixteen people took part in a four-day weekend of brush clearing, branch pruning, trail re-alignment and re-blazing. The goal of completing trail maintenance south to where last year’s work ended was accomplished.

The Friends of the GDT plan the next day’s work at Thursday’s Planning Session

June 19, 2014