On June 14, 2026, we unveiled the stunning Great Divide Trail mural, created by artist Lynnie Wonfor in Coleman, Alberta, during our inaugural Trail Days Celebration.
This project, led by GDTA volunteer Tara Fleming, was a year and a half in the making. It all began with a simple question from Alyssa and Seb, owners of Kindred Ground Coffee and Yoga House: “Would the GDT like to put a mural on our building?” The answer was an emphatic yes.
Soon after, the process began: obtaining permits from the municipality, securing funding through South Canadian Rockies Tourism, and searching for the perfect artist and concept to bring the mural to life. We received many incredible submissions, but one stood above the rest; one that truly captured the essence of the Great Divide Trail: Lynnie Wonfor’s depiction of Tornado Mountain.
Having hiked the Great Divide Trail herself, Lynnie has an intimate understanding of what it feels like to be out on the trail and of both the challenge and reward of crossing Tornado Mountain.
Artist’s Statement
“Tornado Mountain, one of the icons of the Great Divide Trail, is the perfect example of how the trail can gift us an accomplishment that proves something to ourselves and lasts a lifetime. The longer you hike it—and even long after the hike is over—the more it continues to give. The GDT changed my life forever.”
-Lynnie Wonfor
We couldn’t be happier with the final piece.
While Tornado Mountain may not be as well known locally as Crowsnest Mountain, it holds a special place in the history and identity of the Great Divide Trail. In fact, it is the mountain featured in the GDT logo, making it a fitting subject for this mural.
There are many people to thank for helping make this project a reality. To artist Lynnie Wonfor, thank you for creating this spectacular piece. To South Canadian Rockies Tourism, thank you for helping fund the project. To Seb and Alyssa at Kindred Ground Coffee and Yoga House, thank you for providing the canvas, obtaining permits, and preparing the building for installation. And finally, thank you to GDTA volunteer Tara Fleming for taking the lead and guiding this project from concept to completion.
We are thrilled to share this mural with the community and with all who walk the Great Divide Trail.
After five years of planning, collaboration, fundraising, and an incredible amount of volunteer effort, we are more than excited to announce that the Blaeberry Cable Car is complete and officially open for hiker use, just in time for the 2026 Great Divide Trail hiking season.
Located in the middle of Section D of the Great Divide Trail, the new cable car provides a safe and reliable crossing of the Blaeberry River, replacing the temporary log bridge that had served hikers in recent years. What began as a proposal for a permanent aluminum bridge evolved into the Great Divide Trail’s first cable car aerial ferry, creating a unique and memorable experience while dramatically improving safety. The new cable car also enables a major enhancement to the hiker experience in the Blaeberry Valley, by eventually allowing the Collie Creek Alternate to become the official route of the GDT, replacing a tedious 14-km road walk with a scenic forested footpath that’s now usable by all hikers.
The first official Great Divide Trail hiker to use the new crossing was Mark Donald, who rode the cable car on Tuesday, July 7, 2026, making for an exciting moment!
Projects like this are never accomplished by one organization alone, and this one is no exception.
First and foremost, we extend thanks to Recreation Sites & Trails BC for working alongside the GDTA, helping solve challenges, navigate approvals, and ultimately bring this ambitious vision to life.
We also thank BC Parks for donating the cable car towers and cart. This contribution made the project possible and provided the foundation for what has become one of the most unique pieces of backcountry infrastructure on the Great Divide Trail.
A very special thank you goes to Brendan Harvey of Upslope Millwright & Rigging. Brendan’s expertise, ingenuity, and countless hours of work were absolutely essential to the successful completion of the cable car. Without his knowledge, skills, and commitment, this project could not have been completed.
We are also incredibly grateful to the Columbia Basin Trust for believing in this project from the beginning. Their financial support, and their willingness to stay with us as the project evolved over several years, helped carry this vision through to completion.
This project was also made possible through the generosity of our supporters. Thank you to every individual who contributed, whether through direct donations or by supporting our Trail Supporter campaign with the Blaeberry Crossing in mind. Every contribution helped move this project forward.
We would like to recognize one remarkable act of generosity. An anonymous donor stepped forward with an extraordinary $60,000 donation, providing the final funding needed to bring the project across the finish line. We are profoundly grateful for this incredible gift and the confidence it demonstrates in the future of the Great Divide Trail.
Last but certainly not least, we extend our deepest appreciation to the many GDTA volunteers who made this project possible. In particular, we want to recognize our trip leaders Dave Higgins and Stuart Mitchell, who dedicated an incredible amount of time, energy, skill, and effort, not to mention years, to bringing this project to life. From planning and organizing work trips to hauling materials, solving challenges in the field, and putting in countless hours of hard work in a remote and demanding environment, their commitment was truly extraordinary. This project is a reflection of the passion and dedication of our volunteer community, and we cannot thank them enough for everything they have contributed.
The completion of the Blaeberry Cable Car is much more than the installation of a new river crossing. It is a testament to what can be achieved when government agencies, community partners, skilled professionals, volunteers, donors, and trail supporters work together toward a common goal.
To everyone who contributed your time, expertise, funding, equipment, or encouragement over the past four years, thank you.
We look forward to welcoming hikers to experience the Blaeberry Cable Car throughout the 2026 hiking season and for many years to come.
The Green Bib Program once again saw strong support in 2026, with 614 participants choosing the sustainable race option. Their participation resulted in a $6,140 donation to the Great Divide Trail Association (GDTA).
Introduced in 2025, the Green Bib Program gives runners the option to forgo a race shirt and finisher medal while still receiving a chipped race bib and enjoying the full race-day experience. For every Green Bib selected, the Servus Calgary Marathon donates $10 to the GDTA.
The Green Bib Program is part of the Servus Calgary Marathon’s broader Sustainability Program, sponsored by the wonderful team at Fluid Projects. The program includes compostable cups at aid stations, recycling and composting initiatives, food and clothing donations, paperless race communications, transit and cycling incentives, water refill stations, and ongoing efforts to reduce excess race merchandise. Since 2017, the event has reduced leftover shirts and medals by more than 75%.
Together, these initiatives help make the Servus Calgary Marathon a more environmentally responsible event while giving participants meaningful ways to reduce their race-day footprint.
We at the Great Divide Trail Association are incredibly grateful to the Servus Calgary Marathon for choosing our charity as the recipient of the Green Bib donation. This partnership not only supports the protection and maintenance of Canada’s premier long-distance hiking trail, but also demonstrates how the running and outdoor communities can work together to create a positive impact.
Members! Hiking season is finally back again, and our attention is certainly focused on the hikers about to set out on the GDT this year. But the board is also looking to get a jump-start on planning for the Fall Annual General Meeting.
Save the Date: Monday, September 28, 2026; online*
(registration details will go out soon after the hiking season)
As a registered Canadian charitable organization, the GDTA has a legal obligation to present members our financials and have them vote to approve them. This has traditionally been done in September each year and has also been the venue used to provide updates on the year’s activities and vote for new board members.
We want to hear your thoughts:
what do you want to hear about at the AGM?
are there people you think deserve recognition this year?
are there updates you’ve been hoping to hear more on?
are there issues you want to make sure are on the board’s radar?
what would make the AGM more useful for you as a member?
Email your thoughts to: agm@greatdividetrail.com – We’ll do our best to address the comments we receive during the AGM.
Sincerely,
Your Board of Directors
* Note: The AGM moved virtually a few years back due to planning, costs, and technical challenges of hosting in person so close to the end of the hiking season. Furthermore, our membership extends well beyond a single region, so hosting virtually provides equal access to the material. But have no fear, the board appreciates the value of in-Person get togethers, which is why you saw a good number of meetups last year. We’ll be doing the same again this year
Photo Credit: Harrison Crerar – GDTA Photo Contest 2025
Support local businesses during Trail Days by filling up your stamp card for a chance to win local gift cards while discovering the unique businesses that make the Crowsnest Pass special.
How it works:
Pick up a stamp card at the Orpheum Theatre on Friday evening or at the Trail Days Market on Saturday.
Visit participating businesses throughout the weekend.
Receive one stamp for every $25 spent at participating businesses.
Collect as many stamps as you can.
On June 14th, drop off your stamp card at Ophelia Outpost between 1:00 – 3:00pm with Great Divide Trail Volunteers, or email a photo to desiree.erdmann@greatdividetrail.com to be entered into the draw. Winner’s will be drawn at 6:00pm on Sunday.
Prizes: Over $1,000 in gift cards are up for grabs, thanks to the amazing Crowsnest Pass businesses!
Two Grand Prizes will be awarded to the participants who collect the most stamps.
Two Additional Prizes will be drawn at random from all submitted stamp cards.
The AMAZING participating businesses
A&B Liquor | Ace Hardware | Art Gallery | Berta | Blairmore Liquor | Charley Biggs | Cherry on Top | Chris’s | Cinnamon Bear |Crowsnest Candy | Golf Course | Greg’s Liquor | Guilded Haus | Hello Pizza | IGA | Kind Rat | Kindred Ground | Merch on Main |Ophelia Outpost | Orpheum Theatre | Pass Beer | Paws, Claws & Hooves | Pharmasave | Rebel BBQ | Rum Runner | Spry | Stone’s Throw | Summit Home Hardware | Switchback Sips | Tuesdays Bookshop | Work and Play
Ticket and wristband pick-up will be available starting at 6:00 PM at the Orpheum Theatre on Friday evening, and from 10:00 AM–4:00 PM on Saturday at the Great Divide Trail booth in Gazebo Park.
If you haven’t purchased your tickets yet, get them here!
Friday, June 12
Orpheum Theatre, Blairmore
6:00 PM – 7:30 PM – Ticket and wristband pick-up
7:00 PM – Mayor’s Welcome
7:30 PM – 9:30 PM: Kinjo Brothers A Calgary-based family band blending soul, roots, reggae, and R&B with globally inspired sounds and energetic live performances.
Saturday, June 13
9:00 AM – 10:30 AM – Morning Walk Meet-Up: Alison Falls Loop (2 km)
This is not a guided hike.
Meet at the Atlas Staging Area (by the kiosk sign) for a casual group walk along the newly built Alberta Hiking Association Trail to Alison Falls. From the falls, the route follows the creek before connecting with the Great Divide Trail and returning to the Atlas Staging Area.
This is a moderate 2 km loop that is a great opportunity to meet fellow hikers, stretch your legs, and explore some of the area’s newest trail infrastructure.
Gazebo Park, Blairmore
10:00 AM – 4:00 PM: Trail Days Market Local vendors, community groups, trail organizations, and outdoor exhibitors. Ticket and wristband pick-up at the Great Divide Trail Booth.
11:00 AM – 11:30 AM: Bear Hang Demo Learn practical backcountry food storage techniques while having a great time!
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM: Animal Tracks Workshop with The Path Less Taken An interactive wildlife tracking experience for all ages. Put your animal tracking abilities and investigative skills to the test in this interactive “Whodunit” adventure designed for all ages! Learn how to identify animal tracks and uncover clues from the natural world as you work together to solve an exciting “Conservation Caper.” Follow the evidence, crack the mystery, and discover the fascinating stories wildlife leaves behind!
12:00 PM – 3:00 PM: Live Music with Tynan Groves Tynan Groves is an eclectic mix of many genres, he seamlessly moves his music from folk to metal, jazz to rap, punk to classical. His diverse repertoire comes from his study of jazz and a career spent freelancing in many different musical situations. Currently residing in the Crowsnest Pass Tynan relishes in the humour and joy of playing such a varied range of music.
1:30 PM – 2:30 PM: Head in the Clouds with The Path Less Taken Need a moment to recharge, reset, and reconnect? Step away from the rush of everyday life and immerse yourself in a refreshing Mindful Nature Moment experience. Slow down, breathe deeply, and discover the beauty of the natural world around you. Spend time with your “head in the clouds” as you mindfully gaze skyward, embark on a colourful scavenger hunt, and learn the creative art of Zentangling with Aspens. Through playful and calming activities, you’ll experience a unique and inspiring way to connect with your local landscape and leave feeling renewed, grounded, and energized.
10:00 AM – 4:00 PM: Knot Tying & Trail Survival Visit Crowsnest Adventures at their table for this experiential learning opportunity focused on practical outdoor and trail survival skills.
3:00 PM – 3:30 PM: Intro to Dehydrating 101 Tips and techniques for preparing dehydrated trail meals.
12:00 PM – 5:00 PM: Planetarium Experience with Dark Sky Guides Step inside an immersive dome theatre and explore the night sky through engaging storytelling and 360° visuals. Sign up for your timeslot at the Great Divide Trail Booth at Gazebo Park on Saturday 10-4pm
Aurora: Lights of Wonder Duration: 29 minutes The Aurora Borealis is an atmospheric phenomenon that has dazzled and inspired humans for millennia. Dive into this 360-degree cinematic experience and explore the stories, science, and secrets behind the dance of the Northern Lights. In this multi award-winning film you will learn what ancient civilizations believed about the Northern Lights, see the Northern Lights from the International Space Station, hear how scientists of the past and present have explained this spectacular phenomenon, and discover the secret behind the vibrant auroral colors. Thanks to the pioneering work of astrophotographer, Kwon O Chul, you can now experience firsthand the incredible dance of the Auroral ribbons of green and purple as never before.
Orpheum Theatre, Blairmore
5:00 PM – 6:00 PM: How Recreational Trails Affect Plant Communities Speaker: Heather Davis
Increases in visitation to protected areas coupled with natural disturbances make it challenging to meet both goals of conserving biodiversity and inspiring connection with the natural world. Researcher, Heather Davis, uncovers how recreational trails shift plant communities based on trail use levels, vegetation type, wildfire, and the interactions between them. Learn more about this research, see amazing pictures of Waterton Lakes National Park, and find out how you can be a more mindful explorer.
6:00 PM – 6:30 PM: Nibbles & Mingle
6:30 PM – 8:00 PM:Great Divide Trail Legacy Panel Celebrating 50 Years of Wild with GDTA founders and legacy members Dave Higgins, Jeff Gruttz, Jenny Feick, Wayne Marshall, and Dan Wallace.
8:00 PM – 10:00 PM: Sid Marty & Wailback Live music and storytelling inspired by the Rocky Mountains and Western Canada.
11:00 AM – 11:30 AM: Great Divide Trail Mural Reveal
This project has been a long time in the works, and we are thrilled to reveal the new Great Divide Trail mural on the side of Kindred Ground – location of the Crowsnest GDT Hiker Hang Tags.
Enjoy a leisurely 1.6km walk through the forest guided by an educator from the Crowsnest Museum. Learn about the nature of the Crowsnest Pass and the lives of the miners who once used the same trail.
Start and End Point: Crowsnest Museum Entrance
What to bring: The trail is considered easy but may be muddy after rainfall. Sturdy walking shoes are recommended. The trail has stairs in sections, making it unsuitable for mobility devices or strollers.
Support local businesses during Trail Days by filling up your stamp card for a chance to win local gift cards while discovering the unique businesses that make the Crowsnest Pass special.
How it works:
Pick up a stamp card at the Orpheum Theatre on Friday evening or at the Trail Days Market on Saturday.
Visit participating businesses throughout the weekend.
Receive one stamp for every $25 spent at participating businesses.
Collect as many stamps as you can.
On June 14th, drop off your stamp card at Ophelia Outpost between 1:00 – 3:00pm, or email a photo to desiree.erdmann@greatdividetrail.com to be entered into the draw. Winner’s will be drawn at 6:00pm on Sunday.
Prizes: Over $1,000 in gift cards are up for grabs, thanks to the amazing Crowsnest Pass businesses!
Two Grand Prizes will be awarded to the participants who collect the most stamps.
Two Additional Prizes will be drawn at random from all submitted stamp cards.
The AMAZING participating businesses
A&B Liquor | Ace hardware | Art Gallery | Berta | Blairmore Liquor | Charley Biggs | Cherry on Top | Chris’s | Cinnamon Bear |Crowsnest Candy | Golf Course | Greg’s Liquor | Guilded Haus | Hello Pizza | IGA | Kind Rat | Kindred Ground | Merch on Main |Ophelia Outpost | Orpheum Theatre | Pass Beer | Paws, Claws & Hooves | Pharmasave | Rebel BBQ | Rum Runner | Spry | Stone’s Throw | Summit Home Hardware | Switchback Sips | Tuesdays Bookshop | Work and Play
Shop local. Support local. Celebrate Trail Days!
Thank you to our lead sponsor, Travel Alberta for making this event possible.
Do you have a passion for safety, helping others, and spending time in the outdoors?
The Great Divide Trail Association is looking for a volunteer Safety Officer to help support our trail building, maintenance, and volunteer programs. This role plays an important part in helping us develop safe practices, review procedures, support trip leaders, and contribute to a culture where volunteers can confidently work and recreate in remote backcountry environments.
Whether your background is in occupational health and safety, emergency response, risk management, outdoor leadership, or a related field, we’d love to hear from you.
This is a rewarding opportunity to give back to Canada’s premier long-distance hiking trail while helping protect the people who make it possible.
👉 Interested in learning more or getting involved? Contact us at volunteer@greatdividetrail.com or send us a direct message.
Together, we can help keep the Great Divide Trail safe, sustainable, and thriving for generations to come. 🌲🥾
Are you planning to hike the Great Divide Trail in 2026? Whether you’re tackling the full length of the trail or just a section, we encourage you to register your hike and pick up a free GDT Hang Tag; your badge of stewardship and a symbol of your commitment to protecting the Great Divide Trail.
The Hang Tag Program is back for another season, and we’re excited to continue growing the program in 2026 with four pickup locations across the trail corridor.
This voluntary registration is open to anyone planning to spend one or more nights on the GDT in 2026.
How to Register
Visit one of the participating locations listed below.
Let the staff know you’re there to pick up your GDT Hang Tag.
Scan the QR code they provide to complete your registration.
Show the staff your completed registration.
Walk away happily with your new Hang Tag!
What You’ll Receive
Hikers who register for 2026 are eligible to receive a free GDT Hang Tag.
These tags are:
A memento of your adventure on the Great Divide Trail
A visible sign of your pledge to practice Leave No Trace and care for the trail
Available while supplies last — once they’re gone, they’re gone!
Note: This registration is not a permit and does not replace permits required in national or provincial parks along the GDT. Be sure to research and obtain all necessary permits for your hike.
Hang Tag Pickup Locations
Hang Tags must be picked up in person at one of the following locations during business hours. Shipping of Hang Tags is not available.
Tamarack Outdoors
214 Mount View Road, Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta Visit their website for hours of operation
Kindred Ground – Movement & Coffee House
7702 18 Avenue, Coleman, Alberta Visit their website for hours of operation
Friends of Yoho Gift Shop
5764 Trans-Canada Hwy, Field, BC
The Friends of Yoho Gift Shop is located inside the Yoho National Park Visitor Centre in Field, BC, and now offers a resupply service for GDT hikers for a $20 service fee per box.
Friends of Jasper National Park Gift Shop
500 Connaught Drive, Jasper, Alberta Visit their website for hours of operation
Friends of Jasper National Park Gift Shop also offers GDTA members a 10% discount in-store with proof of GDTA membership.
Quantities are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Once locations run out, that’s it for the season.
Why Do We Ask You to Register?
Your registration helps us better understand how many people are hiking the GDT, and where. This information is incredibly valuable:
It helps us advocate for the trail with land managers and government agencies.
It supports funding opportunities by showing how popular and meaningful the GDT is to users.
It helps us plan trail maintenance, focusing efforts on the most-used and most-loved areas.
By registering, you’re helping to protect the GDT’s future – thank you!
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do I have to pick up my Hang Tag in person?
A: Yes. Hang Tags are only available for pickup in person at our partner locations. Shipping of Hang Tags is not available.
Q: Can I get a Hang Tag for a previous year’s hike?
A: No. Hang Tags are only available to hikers registered for the current hiking season (2026).
Q: Is registration required to hike the GDT?
A: No. Registration is completely voluntary but strongly encouraged to support trail stewardship and planning.
Q: Do I still need permits?
A: Yes. Registration does not replace permits. Be sure to secure all required camping permits for areas such as national and provincial parks along your route. Visit our Permits Page for more information.
A hundred years from now, someone will walk the Great Divide Trail who doesn’t know our names. They’ll experience the beauty of the Rockies and the corridor we’ve helped to protect, walk along the trails we built together, and feel the connection of the community. They’ll know the trail. But they won’t know us, unless we tell them.
The GDTA is proud to be installing a 100-year time capsule along the GDT this summer. We are collecting stories and photos from members, preserving them, and sending them to the Association of 2126 to tell them about the beginnings of the trail and our hopes for its future.
Start writing today, and join us in sending our trail stories into the future.
Submit your message!
$5 contribution: Your message will be preserved on archival media in digital form, and securely sealed in the capsule. Submit up to 250 words and 1 photo.
$15 contribution: Your message will be preserved on special archival paper, up to 2 pages in length (900 words), and up to 5 photos. PLUS you’ll receive one of only 50 beautiful ceramic mementos (as supplies last). In addition, you can submit up to 12 pages to be preserved in digital format.
These mementos are hand-made by a Calgary artisan, a sturdy 3/8″ thick and 5″ across, with a full-colour GDTA logo, GPS location, and opening date of the capsule. Carry it with you, hand down to your descendants, or entrust to an institution, to preserve the memory of the capsule.
These are currently in production and will be mailed to you directly after the capsule is installed. If there is significant interest, more mementos may be produced.
There will also be limited space for physical artifacts, so if there’s something you feel should be included, send us an email explaining your idea and we may be able to include it.
Submissions close June 15th.
How it Works
Online: Fill in our online submission form HERE. You can either submit typed text, or a photo/scan of your handwritten message which is especially fun for people of the future to see. (GDTA 2126 Time Capsule Submission – Fill out form)
or
In-Person: Join us for Trail Days, and visit the GDTA’s booth on June 13th to hand-write a message on archival paper.
Not Sure What to Write?
Here are a few prompts:
The trail asked something of you. A hard day, a hard year, a stretch that cost more than you expected. What did it ask, and what did you learn about yourself when you answered?
Describe a single day or night along the trail. The sound of the forest, laughs with friends, a delicious trail snack creation, or a summit worth remembering. How did it feel?
What do you hope the GDT looks like in 100 years? What exists today that you hope remains, and what does it mean to you?
What would you want a hiker in 2126 to know about the people who built this trail?
Tell us your favorite trail story, or campfire story, that makes people laugh, cry, or get inspired?
For the gear junkies: what is your favorite piece of gear, and why? What are the specs, and what do you predict in the gear evolution of the future?
There’s no wrong answer. Write what matters to you.
Share photos of anything that inspires you, that are related to the GDT. Landscapes and views, the people you’ve met and walked with, or your gear!
The Specs
The capsule itself is a stainless steel tube, 6″ in diameter and 14″ long, filled with argon and welded shut at both ends for total water resistance and it will be encased in a watertight plastic container for additional protection. The capsule will be installed in a secure location near the new Blaeberry Cable Car crossing, as it is a major infrastructure project along the trail that has the best chance of standing the test of time. The capsule location will be registered with historical societies, university history departments, and time capsule record-keeping organizations.
Don’t miss out on this unique opportunity! Submit your message before June 15th.
Everyone is welcome to join the upcoming Ed Gregor Stewardship Day on Saturday, June 6 from 8 am to 5 pm. in Blairmore, Alberta. Come help us maintain sustainable multi-use opportunities in our Public Crowsnest Forest with this long-standing stewardship event!
We will meet at the Blairmore Ranger Station (11901-19 Ave, Blairmore) at 8 a.m. to enjoy a free breakfast put on by the Coleman Lion’s Club. Participants can review the available projects and sign up for their choice. Projects include Fish & Game Pond Trail Clearing, Trail Projects, River and Garbage Cleanups, and Weed Pulls. Lots of options for families and volunteers of all ages.
At 3:30 pm, participants will meet back at the Blairmore Ranger Station for a free supper by the Blairmore Lion’s Club, raffle and a draw to win a chainsaw. Special prizes for all kids!
Don’t forget to bring sturdy footwear, lunch/snacks/water, gloves, clothes for the weather, and eye protection.
The event is supported by the Crowsnest Forest Stewardship Society, Crowsnest Pass Quad Squad, Hillcrest Fish and Game, Great Divide Trail Association, Government of Alberta, Crowsnest Conservation Society, and the Alberta Hiking Association. Thanks to all project supporters and sponsors.
