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  • Crowsnest Pass Stewardship Day – June 6, 2026

    Crowsnest Pass Stewardship Day – June 6, 2026

    Join the upcoming Ed Gregor Stewardship Day

    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.

  • Trail Days 2026: 50 Years of Wild

    Trail Days 2026: 50 Years of Wild

    June 12–14, 2026 | Crowsnest Pass, Alberta

    Celebrating the Great Divide Trail—and all trails! Join us this June 12–14 in the Crowsnest Pass for the inaugural Trail Days, a weekend dedicated to celebrating 50 Years of Wild.

    While rooted in the legacy of the Great Divide Trail, this event is a celebration of all trails, the landscapes they traverse, and the communities that bring them to life. Hosted by the Great Divide Trail Association, Trail Days brings together locals, visitors, and outdoor enthusiasts to connect, learn, and celebrate recreation in one of Alberta’s most incredible mountain regions.

    🎟 All-Access Pass: $35 per person for the full weekend

    Friday, June 12

    • Kick things off with a welcome evening at the Orpheum Theatre in Blairmore, featuring live music from the Kinjo Brothers.

    Saturday, June 13

    A full day of Trail Days programming, including:

    • A vibrant market with local vendors and community groups
    • Live music from Tynan Groves
    • Hands-on workshops and trail-focused learning experiences
    • A planetarium experience with Dark Sky Guides
    • An evening 50 Years of Wild celebration featuring a panel discussion with founding and legacy GDTA members
    • Live music from Sid Marty

    Sunday, June 14

    • Morning pancake breakfast
    • Afternoon Great Divide Trail hiker meet-up. Connect with past, present, and future GDT hikers to swap stories and talk trail planning.
    Featured Experiences:

    Kinjo Brothers

    A Calgary-based family band blending soul, roots, reggae, and R&B, the Kinjo Brothers bring an energetic and globally influenced sound shaped by years of touring and musical collaboration

    Planetarium Experience

    Step inside an immersive dome theatre and explore the night sky like never before. Using a 360° projection system, this guided experience takes you on a journey through the stars, planets, and beyond bringing the universe to life through engaging storytelling and visuals, no matter the weather.

    50 Years of Wild – Panel Discussion

    To celebrate 50 Years of Wild, join us for a special panel featuring three of the Great Divide Trail Association’s founding members, Dave Higgins, Jeff Gruttz, and Jenny Feick, alongside Wayne Marshall and Dan Wallace, who played a key role in bringing the GDTA out of hibernation in 2004.

    Sid Marty & Wailback

    Renowned Alberta singer-songwriter, author, and former park warden, known for his original songs and storytelling inspired by the Rocky Mountains and life in Western Canada.

    Whether you hike, bike, ride, or simply enjoy time outside, Trail Days is your invitation to celebrate the trails that connect us—to nature, to community, and to each other. Explore, learn, and experience everything the Crowsnest Pass has to offer.

    Free & Open to the Public

    Everyone is welcome to drop in and enjoy select Trail Days experiences at no cost:

    • Trail Days Market with local vendors and community groups, and live music from Tynan Groves – Saturday, June 12th
    • Select workshops – Saturday, June 12th
    • Great Divide Trail hiker meet-up for past, present, and future hikers to connect, share stories, and talk trail planning – Sunday, June 13th

    GET TICKETS HERE

    Thank you to our lead sponsor, Travel Alberta, for making this event spectacular!

  • Turn Your Gear into Trail Support

    Turn Your Gear into Trail Support

    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.

    For buyers:

    • Free entry
    • Great deals on outdoor gear
    • Cash recommended

    For sellers:

    Join Us

    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.

    Garage Sale BBQ
    Garage Sale BBQ
  • Great Divide Trail Annual Film Festival Call for Film Submissions – 2026 

    Great Divide Trail Annual Film Festival Call for Film Submissions – 2026 

    Thank you for your interest in submitting your film to the Great Divide Trail Association’s Annual Film Fundraiser 

    We are excited to showcase as much of the Great Divide Trail (GDT) from as many perspectives as we can. If you have touched this trail that we love in any way, we want to see it and share it! 

    • We want to see your thru-hike experience! 
    • We want to see your section hikes! 
    • We want to see your weekend getaways! 
    • We want to see your trail-building experience! 

    We each have our own personal relationship and experience with the GDT, and we want to see and share it all! 

    Submission Guidelines 
    Deadline March 15th, 2026 
    Duration Max – 15 Minutes (incl. Title and Credits) 
    Eligibility Content MUST: Align with the mission and values of the GDTA promoting Environmental stewardship Respect for local communities Cultural sensitivity, AND Respect the rules and regulations of all land use areas
    Please be sure to:
    – Obtain any relevant Parks Canada Film Permits  
    – Adhere to all copyright laws and permissions  
    Title/Credits Opening and closing credits should be included and contain: Title of your film, and Your name as the filmmaker 
    Format For best viewing: HD – 1920 X 1080p 
    Submission Upload your file to the link below: 
    Submission Link 
    Clearly label the file with your name and the film title AND email events@greatdividetrail.com with: 
    – Subject Line: GDTA Film Festival Submission
    – Film Title 
    – Filmmakers: Full Name Email, Address Mailing address , Phone Number 
    – A brief synopsis of the film Max – 200 words 
    – Any additional relevant information 

    About the Selection Process:  

    A committee of judges will review all submitted films and curate a diverse lineup for the annual film fest. The selected filmmakers will be notified via email by April 15th, 2026. 

    The festival will take place in Calgary AB, on Thursday May 7th, 2026 

    Please note that by submitting your film, you grant the Great Divide Trail Association the rights to showcase your film during the Annual Film Fundraiser, including subsequent promotional use. 

    For any inquiries or further information, please contact us at events@greatdividetrail.com 

    We eagerly await your inspiring films, capturing the essence of the Great Divide Trail! 

  • Trail Info Night – Vernon, BC

    Are you Great Divide Trail curious? We are having a presentation at Valhalla Pure Outfitters and can’t wait to show you what we are all about.

    ?: October 16th
    ?: 7-9PM PST
    ?: VPO @ 2814 48 Ave, Vernon BC

    We are excited to see you there.

  • End of Season Wrap Up!

    Join us at Prairie Dog Brewing on Thursday, October 16th from 6–9 pm for a casual meetup with the Great Divide Trail community—past, present, and future hikers welcome! ??

    Whether you’ve thru-hiked, sectioned hiked, volunteered on trail, or you’re just GDT-curious, come swap stories, meet new trail friends, and enjoy great food & drinks.

    When: Oct 16, 6–9 pm
    Where: Prairie Dog Brewing (Calgary)
    Who: Anyone connected to or interested in the GDT

  • Support the GDTA at the 2025 Calgary Marathon!

    Support the GDTA at the 2025 Calgary Marathon!

    The Great Divide Trail Association is this year’s Green Bib Charity for the Servus Calgary Marathon.

    The 2025 marathon dedicates time, energy, and resources to reduce environmental impact. If a registrant chooses the Green Bib option, a $10 donation will be made to the Great Divide Trail Association in lieu of a race shirt and medal.

    Enter the race, join our team, and fundraise to support the Great Divide Trail. Together, we can make a difference—one step at a time!

    Lace-up, join the race, and help us protect the trail we all love.

  • Photo Contest – Submission Deadline October 26, 2024

    Photo Contest – Submission Deadline October 26, 2024

    Hiking season is winding down, so it’s time to share the amazing things you’ve experienced along the Great Divide Trail! Spend some time reminiscing and go dig through all the photos you’ve taken. Then select your favourite(s) and submit them to the GDTA’s Photo Contest!

    Submitting your photos is a unique and simple way to help out the GDTA! As the association works to protect, promote, and maintain the trail, we’re always in need of high-quality imagery. Who better to provide that then those of you who’ve lived it!

    Prizes

    The GDTA will be awarding prizes for the top three submissions, as voted on by select members from our volunteer community. Please check back here as we’ll be updating this page with more info on the prizes.

    Guidelines

    • Digital images must be submitted via email to photocontest@greatdividetrail.com
    • Submissions must include the following text (please copy and paste this into the email submission)
    Photographer: <your name>
Working Title: <one-sentence title>
Location: <specific location>
GDT Section: <A through G>
Detailed Caption: <longer caption, please include names of any identifiable individuals>

With this submission I affirm that I have read and agree to the terms and conditions of the GDTA Photo Contest.
    • One photo per submission, multiple submissions are allowed
    • Submission deadline:  Saturday October 26, 2024 at midnight Mountain time.
    • Photos can be from any year.
    • Photos can be color or black & white digital images of any location along the Great Divide Trail
    • JPEG or TIFF files are allowed and ideally higher than web-resolution (at least 300 dots-per-inch or approximately 1000×1500 pixels for a 3×5 photo).
    • If you’d like your photos to be considered for our annual calendar or magazine covers, they should be at least 8.5×11 inches at 300 dpi or approx. 2500×3300 pixels in size.
    • Photos can be horizontal or vertical. Please upload in the proper orientation.

    Terms and Conditions

    No purchase is necessary to enter or win. Void where prohibited. By entering this contest, you agree to the terms and conditions relating to this contest and you are responsible for understanding your rights.

    Photos entered are considered licensed to the Great Divide Trail Association in perpetuity. By entering the photo contest, you are giving the GDTA the right to use your photos as we see fit to promote the trail and its protection.

    You will retain copyright to any photograph you submit. You only grant the GDTA rights to your photograph royalty-free, in perpetuity, nonexclusively to:

    • Reproduce, distribute, transform, display and/or to perform your photographs in all print and electronic mediums at any size.
    • Use your photos worldwide.
    • Provide your photograph to other individuals and organizations for non-commercial use, such as in news stories, newsletters, reports, slide shows, displays, web pages, and the like.
    • Archive in electronic forms so that your photos can be used to support our mission.
    • The GDTA may request additional permission to use your photo for Commercial and Editorial uses that directly benefit the GDTA and the trail.

    Whenever possible, the GDTA will provide attribution in the form the photographer’s name and/or photographer’s website URL per GDTA’s discretion. Attribution will appear next to the photo or in the credits of the work product.

    By entering, participants agree to indemnify, defend and hold harmless the GDTA, its respective subsidiaries, affiliates, directors, officers, employees, volunteers, attorneys, agents and representatives, from any and all third party liability for any injuries, loss, claim, action, demand or damage of any kind arising from or in connection with the competition (collectively, “Losses”), including without limitation any third party claim for copyright infringement or a violation of an individual’s right to privacy and/or publicity right. The Contest is void where prohibited by law.

    Contest entrants are responsible for ensuring that he or she has the right to submit the photos that he or she submits to the contest.

    1The concept and inspiration for this contest comes from the Pacific Crest Trail Association’s annual Photo Contest.

  • 2024 Annual General Meeting

    2024 Annual General Meeting

    Monday, September 16th at 6:00 PM MST – ONLINE

    Don’t miss this year’s AGM! We’ll be unveiling exciting updates on our strategic planning, and you’ll be the first to discover the path forward for our association and trail. Tune in to get the inside scoop and be part of the future!

    The Annual General Meeting is open to all active GDTA members, and is where members receive updates and vote for new Board Members.

    All of the information is available on the AGM 2024 page (member access only). Not a member? Become a Member Today!

  • BC Trails Day – June 3rd

    BC Trails Day – June 3rd

    Join us on Saturday, June 3 at the Elk Pass Trail Head in Peter Lougheed Provincial Park between 9am and 4pm in celebration of BC Trails Day!

    While this event is being held in Alberta, Peter Lougheed Provincial Park is an important access point to the GDT and trails and parks in BC. Volunteers will be on hand to answer questions and share our experiences on the trail. For those thinking about hiking the GDT (in whole or in part) and wanting to learn more, or supporters who want to stop in to say hi, all are welcome. We’ll also have details on nearby portions of the trail that pass through Elk Lakes and Height of the Rockies Provincial Parks.

    We love the trails that make up the GDT and during the last few years more than ever we’ve realized how lucky our community is to have such amazing trail networks available to us. It’s thanks to the volunteers and trail caretakers that we all get to enjoy the beautiful wild spaces in our backyard.

    Communities, groups, and outdoor enthusiasts all over BC (and occasionally in Alberta too!) are organizing events to celebrate beautiful trails and show their appreciation for all the work done by volunteers and local trail caretakers in partnership with the Outdoor Recreation Council of BC. If you’re not near Peter Lougheed check out some of the other great events going on.

    For more event information on BC Trails Day, visit www.orcbc.ca/bctrailsday