Geartrade Garage Sale in Support of the Great Divide Trail Association
Got gear you are not using anymore? Let it do some good.
The Annual Garage Sale in support of the Great Divide Trail Association (GDTA) is back, and the easiest way to take part is by donating or consigning your gear. No need to set up a table or manage sales. Just drop off your items and we will handle the rest.
It is a simple way to clear out your gear, support the trail, and be part of something meaningful.
The Easiest Way to Participate: Donate or Consign
If you have gently used outdoor gear, we would love to take it off your hands.
Option 1: Donate Your Gear
The simplest way to support the trail.
Drop off your items and we will sell them at the event
100 percent of proceeds go directly to the Great Divide Trail
No follow-up needed
Option 2: Consign Your Gear
Support the trail and earn a little back.
Drop off your items and we will sell them for you
You receive 70 percent of the sale
30 percent supports the Great Divide Trail
How it works:
Drop off your items at Geartrade between May 1 and May 9 (by appointment)
Label each item with your name, phone number, price, and whether you are open to offers
We will take care of the rest
Drop-off options:
Geartrade (May 1 to May 9, during business hours, by appointment)
Day-of drop-off starting at 9:30 am
If these times do not work, reach out and we will find another option.
Pick-up deadline (consignment only): All unsold items or proceeds must be picked up by 3:30 pm on May 9.
Why It Matters
Donations and consignment items are where we raise the most funds for the trail. Every item sold helps support maintenance, protection, and access along the Great Divide Trail.
Your old gear can help keep the trail wild.
Want to Shop or Sell in Person?
You can still join us on the day to browse or sell your own gear.
Come by the Geartrade parking lot for a day of gear, community, and trail support. We will have a campfire, smokies, chips, and refreshments available, with all proceeds going to the GDTA.
Whether you are donating gear, consigning items, hunting for deals, or just stopping in to say hello, we would love to see you there.
A Taste of the Trail – May 7
“The Kakwa Falls is a Northern Alberta landmark revered by many. This makes it the perfect inspiration for Latitude 55 DistilleriesKakwa Rum, the first true craft rum made in Alberta. Distilled in Grande Prairie from blackstrap molasses and aged in bourbon barrels, this golden spirit has been expertly blended for a rich, sweet flavour. Kakwa Rum is a completely unique experience. Just like the falls themselves.” — Latitude 55 Distilleries
Kakwa Rum is the official rum of the Great Divide Trail Film Festival & Fundraiser, featuring films made by trail users, for trail users. Come for a taste! Calgary Film Fest and Rum Tasting Tickets – May 7
Edmonton Film Fest Screening – May 13
Prefer a more casual vibe? Join the Edmonton screening and social — snacks included. BUY EDMONTON TICKETS HERE
photo Alex Northey
Smartphone Photography Guest Speaker at the Film Fest & Fundraiser
Our evening of films will open with InSight Creative Workshops, who will share a quick and practical session on smartphone photography.
photo Leo Queinnec
MAKE IT BIG. MAKE IT MONTHLY.
Protecting and maintaining the Great Divide Trail is a BIG job, but your monthly donation will help tackle it step by step. Make it Monthly by donating here! GEARTRADE GARAGE SALE
Gear up (or clear out)! The Geartrade Garage Sale brings together outdoor enthusiasts for deals, donations, “Tent-a-Polooza,” and backcountry food samples — all in support of the trail. Buy, sell or consign. INFORMATION HERE
photo Leith
TRAIL DAYS June 12–14, 2026 | Crowsnest Pass, Alberta
Join us for the first-ever Trail Days Festival as we celebrate 50 years of the Great Divide Trail Association. Enjoy a weekend of music, inspiring speakers, and all things trails. Details and tickets!
photo Roger Xiao
BEAR AWARE Sharing The Trail This Season
As the snow begins to recede and the trail comes back to life, so do the bears. This month, we’re sharing a quick reminder on what it means to be bear aware as they emerge from their winter torpor and begin moving through the landscape again. It’s a simple but important part of spending time in the backcountry…more.
GDT CALENDAR OF EVENTS
📅 MAY 7
ANNUAL GREAT DIVIDE TRAIL FILM FESTIVAL & FUNDRAISER
Rum Tasting and SmartPhone Workshop Tickets
Films by Satellite
You asked and we listened! For the first time, we will bringing the film festival to Edmonton via satellite; different event, same great films. Details coming soon.
GDT CALENDAR OF EVENTS
📅 APRIL 16 SPRING FLING, Prairie Dog Pub, Calgary 6-10pm
📅 MAY 5
WINGS OVER THE ROCKIES NATURE FESTIVAL – GDT Luncheon
with Jenny Feick, Invermere, BC
12 – 1PM
📅 MAY 7
ANNUAL GREAT DIVIDE TRAIL FILM FESTIVAL & FUNDRAISER more..
Bust out your camping gear because the dates and locations for our 2026 trail building and maintenance trips have been set and we invite you to join us!
This year, we have a wide range of volunteer opportunities, with 3 trail building trips on the High Rock Trail (HRT) to finish construction of the Erris Lake Trail; two trips to the upper Blaeberry to build a cable car and maintain the David Thompson Heritage Trail; two maintenance trips to Cache Creek on the Original GDT; a maintenance trip on the Maligne Pass Trail in Jasper National Park; a helicopter-supported trip to Colonel Creek in Mount Robson Provincial Park; and a backcountry maintenance trip up to Palliser Pass in Height of the Rockies Provincial Park.
Our work is made possible by the support of the Government of Alberta, Durston, Columbia Basin Trust, the Alberta Equestrian Federation, BC Parks, Recreation Sites & Trails BC, and the generous individual and corporate donors from our Trail Supporter Campaign. A sincere thank you to all who make our initiatives possible! We look forward to another productive year.
Please bear in mind that unforeseen circumstances may sometimes lead to changes in trip dates and locations. Rest assured; we will promptly notify volunteers of any such adjustments.
Check out the map below of this year’s Trail Building & Maintenance Trips:
Trip #1 June 19-24 – Blaeberry Cable Car Base Camp Trip A (maximum 8 volunteers): This trip will focus on starting construction of a cable car across the Blaeberry River. Technical construction will be completed by a contractor while volunteers will assist with non-technical work and trail maintenance. Volunteers will be able to drive to base camp. Volunteers should have backcountry camping experience and must bring their own food and camping gear. Trip leader: Dave Higgins
Trip #2 June 25-30 – Blaeberry Cable Car Base Camp Trip B(maximum 8 volunteers): This trip will focus on finishing construction of a cable car across the Blaeberry River. Technical construction will be completed by a contractor while volunteers will assist with non-technical work and trail maintenance. Volunteers will be able to drive to base camp. Volunteers should have backcountry camping experience and must bring their own food and camping gear. Trip leader: Dave Higgins
Trip #3 June 26-28 – HRT Erris Remote Base Camp Trip A(maximum 4 volunteers): This trip will focus on recon and base camp set-up. Volunteers should have backcountry camping experience and must be able to hike 8 km to remote base camp carrying personal backpacks with their own food and camping gear. Helicopter will transport base camp facilities, including cook tent, wood stove, two cooking stoves, latrine, water filtration system, dish-washing station, and bear-proof food storage area. Trip leader: Dave Hockey
Trip #4 July 3-9 – Palliser River Backcountry Walking Trip (maximum 8 volunteers): This trip will focus on trail maintenance in Height of the Rockies Provincial Park. Volunteers must have backcountry camping experience and be able to hike up to 20 km carrying their own food and camping gear, and up to 10 km carrying power and hand tools. We require at least two volunteers with brush saw or chainsaw experience. If you’re interested in getting trained and certified to use a chainsaw or brush saw, let us know! Trip leader: Deb Yanchula
Trip #5 July 8-13 – HRT Erris Remote Base Camp Trip C(maximum 15 volunteers): This trip will focus on building trail between Erris Lake and Clay Lake. Volunteers should have backcountry camping experience and must be able to hike 8 km to remote base camp carrying personal backpacks with their own food and camping gear. Volunteers will use base camp from Trip #3 with cook tent, wood stove, two cooking stoves, latrine, water filtration system, dish-washing station, and bear-proof food storage area. Trip leaders: Dave Hockey, Jim Schieck
Trip #6 July 14-19 – HRT Erris Remote Base Camp Trip D (maximum 15 volunteers): This trip will focus on building trail between Erris Lake and Clay Lake, and base camp take-down on the last day. Volunteers should have backcountry camping experience and must be able to hike 8 km to remote base camp carrying personal backpacks with their own food and camping gear. Volunteers will use base camp from Trips #3 & 5 with cook tent, wood stove, two cooking stoves, latrine, water filtration system, dish-washing station, and bear-proof food storage area. Trip leader: Dave Hockey
Trip #7 August 14-20 – Cache Creek Base Camp Trip(maximum 10 volunteers): This trip will focus on trail maintenance, campground improvements, and small bridge construction. Volunteers must be able to hike up to 5 km per day carrying daypacks and tools. Volunteers will be able to drive right to base camp. Volunteers must bring their own food and camping gear. Trip leader: Stuart Mitchell
Trip #8 August 14-16 – Cache Creek Weekend Base Camp Trip(maximum 6 volunteers): This shorter trip will focus on trail maintenance and campground improvements. Volunteers must be able to hike up to 5 km per day carrying daypacks and tools. Volunteers will be able to drive right to base camp. Volunteers must bring their own food and camping gear. Trip leader: Stuart Mitchell
Trip #9 August 26-30 – Maligne Pass Trail, Jasper Backcountry Walking Trip(maximum 10 volunteers): This trip will focus on trail maintenance in Jasper National Park. Volunteers must have backcountry camping experience and be able to hike up to 20 km in a day carrying their own camping gear and hand tools. The Maligne River must be forded, normally knee-deep but it may be more than 3’ deep if the water is high. Volunteers must bring their own food and camping gear. Trip leader: Josh Edwards
Trip #10 September 8-12 – Colonel Creek Self-Supported Trip(maximum 4 volunteers): This trip will focus on trail maintenance in Mount Robson Provincial Park. Volunteers must have backcountry camping experience and be able to hike up to 10 km in a day carrying day packs, power tools and hand tools. Volunteers, tools and equipment will be transported to and from the work area using a helicopter. Volunteers must bring their own food and camping gear. We require at least two volunteers with brush saw or chainsaw experience. If you’re interested in getting trained and certified to use a chainsaw or brush saw, let us know! Trip leaders: Dave Hockey, Lisa Belanger
Additional Information:
4-15 people per trip.
Base camp facilities* include kitchen/dining shelter, wood burning stove, cooking stoves, water filtration system, bear-proof food storage area, and a latrine. (*Not available on Backcountry Walking Trips.)
Volunteers are responsible for bringing and cooking their own food.
While trail building experience is not mandatory, volunteers should have experience backcountry camping and hiking. Backpacking experience is required for all backcountry walking trips.
Carpooling assistance may be coordinated by the GDTA for those interested.
The GDTA will provide all trail maintenance tools, tool training, and safety orientation for all trips.
For more information on what to expect while you’re volunteering on a GDTA trail crew, including descriptions of our different Trip Models, check out the GDTA Volunteer Guide.
How to Join: To register online, please click on the links provided in the Trip Schedule above. You can sign into your members account and register for the trip directly through the website. If the trip is showing full, please email trailbuilding@greatdividetrail.com to be added to the wait list.
You can also join by emailing us at trailbuilding@greatdividetrail.com, indicating the trail building and maintenance trip (or trips) you are interested in. If you have experience, certifications, or skills such as operating chainsaws, brush saws, OHVs, or first aid certification, please include that information in your email.
We look forward to your participation and another successful year on the trails!
CALGARY OUTDOOR ADVENTURE & TRAVEL SHOW
March 21 & 22
10 AM – 5 PM
Stampede Park, BMO Centre, Calgary, AB
The GDT wilderness experience in one of the most magnificent settings on Earth: diverse vegetation, towering snow-capped peaks, iridescent glacial waters, abundant wildlife, and panoramic vistas at every turn! But not without challenges: strenuous and hazardous hiking conditions, difficult mountain navigation, glacial stream crossings, deceptively short hiking season, remote trail exit points for resupply or emergency access, and harsh summer snowstorms, grizzly bears, and mosquitoes. The Great Divide Trail Association can help you! Discover a wealth of information at our booth. See you there!
GDT SPRING FLING
Thursday, April 16
6 – 10 PM
Prairie Dog Brewing, near Chinook LRT station
105D 58 Ave SE, Calgary, AB
Join the Great Divide Trail community for an easy-going evening of good company, great conversations, and local craft beer. Whether you’re a hiker, supporter, volunteer, or simply trail curious, this night’s for you.
Mark your calendars and invite a friend who needs this on their spring calendar!
GDT CALENDAR OF EVENTS
📅 MARCH 15
Film Submission Deadline
Feature your GDT thru-hike or section hike, weekend adventure, trail work & stewardship, community & connection on the trail. Here’s how to submit your film to our 2026 Film Festival & Fundraiser to be held on May 7.
📅 MARCH 21 & 22 Calgary Outdoor Adventure & Travel Show
📅 APRIL 16 Spring Fling
📅 MAY 7
Annual Great Divide Trail Film Festival & Fundraiser more..
Help us build, maintain, and promote the GDT!
Here at the Great Divide Trail Association a lot happens long before the hiking season — and we could use your help. Check out our volunteer page for urgent help needed, or reach out to volunteer@greatdividetrail.com. Many roles can help remotely, and there’s room for anyone who has time and interest.
photo Matis Laliberte
Multi-Year Sponsorship
We are excited to announce a new multiyear sponsorship with Durston, and we couldn’t be more grateful! Read more about the partnership.
Incredible Trail – Incredible You
This year’s Trail Supporter Campaign was epic!
With grant uncertainty and the upcoming Blaeberry Cable Ferry in the works, we needed you – and wow, did you show up!
Please read our blog for more information.
Thank you for being a Trail Supporter!
SAVE THESE DATES!
May 7, 2026
Great Divide Trail Film Festival and Fundraiser 2026
Globe Cinema, Calgary, Alberta and On Line
Filmmakers: March 15 is the deadline to submit films to the selection committee. Click here for all the details.
photo Ofri Carni
May 9, 2026
GearTrade Garage Sale
Okotoks, Alberta
The sale of the year is back for 2026 on Saturday May 9! Click here for all the details.
The Great Divide Trail Association is proud to announce a significant multiyear sponsorship with Durston.
Designed in the Canadian Rockies and built on real-world backcountry experience, Durston is known for thoughtful, functional, and lightweight equipment that supports long days and big miles. And the Great Divide Trail certainly has big miles to offer.
This multiyear sponsorship will directly support trail maintenance, volunteer-led projects, and long-term improvements along the Great Divide Trail, while also helping cover the all-important but less flashy organizational work that keeps everything moving forward. It reflects a shared belief that well-built gear and well-cared trails go hand in hand.
We are grateful to Durston for stepping up in a meaningful, long-term way and for investing in the future of the GDT. We are excited about what this partnership will make possible in the years ahead.
New switchbacks were constructed on the Syncline Trail, decreasing the steepness of the climb up from the West Castle Road.
Reminder for hikers needing a detour around La Coulotte Ridge due to adverse conditions, the South Castle Road alternate route offers a bypass route from the Font Creek Trail (near a20) reconnecting with the GDT at Suicide Creek trailhead (a31).
Section B:
New bear lockers have been installed at North Racehorse Creek campground and Cache Creek campground.
The new Erris Lake Trail is now available as an alternate on the north end of the High Rock Trail.
Additional trail construction continues as we fine-tune the Erris Lake Trail and the High Rock Trail resulting in a few minor route changes. If you see GDTA trail crews out there this summer, say hi!
Section C:
Resupply package delivery will continue to be available at the Elk Pass Trailhead in Peter Lougheed Provincial Park. Resupply packages will be delivered by the GDTA and stored in bear lockers installed at the Elk Pass Trailhead. Resupply delivery service fee is $70 for GDTA members or $90 for non-members. Contact the GDTA at elkpass@greatdividetrail.com to book your delivery service and receive mailing instructions.
Section D:
The log bridge across the Blaeberry River near Cairnes Creek Rec Site (built in June 2024) was still in good shape at the end of the 2025 hiking season, connecting the Collie Creek alternate with the David Thompson Heritage Trail. If all goes according to plan, the bridge will be replaced by a new cable car this summer, creating a long-lasting connection to the Collie Creek Trail on the east side of the Blaeberry River.
The Howse River has shifted course over the past few years. The track on the GDT map and app has been adjusted slightly to accommodate the river’s new course, but hikers should be prepared to route-find in order to navigate safely across the floodplain as the river continues to shift from time to time.
Section E:
Random camping is not allowed anywhere along Owen Creek within Banff National Park.
The Six-Passes Alternate Route remains closed to all overnight random camping but is open for day use.
Trail maintenance on the Maligne Pass Trail has significantly improved that route with much of the deadfall and brush removed over the past few years. Similar to previous years, the three campgrounds on the Maligne Pass Trail previously available online as ‘Maligne Pass North’ (Mary Vaux, Mary Schäffer, Trapper Creek) are listed in the online reservation system separately, with 1 site per night available at each campground.
In 2024, Jasper was devastated by wildfire, destroying about a third of the town and many square kilometres of wilderness in the national park. Most of the park has reopened, including all of the GDT, but recovery from the wildfire continues. Please be mindful that while the park and town have reopened to visitors, businesses and residents are still recovering from the impact of the wildfire.
Section F:
After being closed for a few years during repairs, the Berg Lake Trail in Mount Robson Provincial Park completely re-opened in 2025, including several re-routed sections of new trail. Hikers can exit via the Berg Lake Trail to reach Highway 16 or resupply at the Mount Robson Visitor Centre.
The Colonel Creek Trail was cleared of deadfall (again) in 2025.
Section G:
Exit or resupply via the Blueberry Trail are good options. Resupply package delivery is available at the Blueberry Trailhead delivered by Robson Backcountry Adventures and stored in bear lockers. Please contact info@jasperhikesandtours.ca or 1.780.931.4453 to book your delivery service and receive mailing instructions. Discount for GDTA members.
The south end of the Providence Pass High Route (alternate) was re-routed to begin at Providence Pass rather than at Broadview Lake, creating an improved hiking experience. Route-finding is still required.
The Walker Creek FSR was in rough shape at the end of the 2025 season and might not be accessible all the way to Bastille Creek trailhead. There are several rough, muddy and washed out sections; 4WD high clearance vehicles are highly recommended.
This year’s Trail Supporter Campaign was nothing short of inspiring.
Thanks to the generosity of our community, we raised $46,112.39 in direct donations through this year’s Trail Supporter Campaign. In addition, our matching donor contributed $50,000, bringing the total raised to $96,112.39. The impact of this campaign will significantly support the GDTA’s 2026 operating season.
Our sincere thanks to all of the businesses and individuals who contributed. Your support plays a critical role in maintaining and improving the trail, supporting our field crews and volunteers, and advancing key infrastructure projects.
We would like to extend a special thank you to our matching donor for their leadership and generosity. Their commitment not only doubled the funds raised but also motivated others to give, strengthening the overall impact of the campaign.
One of the key projects we are trying to complete in 2026 is the Blaeberry River Cable Car. While much of this work happens behind the scenes, we are actively completing the necessary back-end tasks, including planning, approvals, coordination, and logistics, to ensure we can move forward responsibly and successfully. This groundwork is essential to setting the project up for long-term success, and your support is helping make it possible.
Campaigns like this are a strong reminder that the Great Divide Trail is a true community effort. Whether you donated, shared the campaign, or helped spread the word, you made a difference.
From all of us at the GDTA, thank you for believing in the trail and in the work we do together.
