Find out the latest on the conditions out on the trail.
This page is updated frequently so refresh your browser for the most recent information. Trail conditions and closures are monitored by the GDTA but much of this information is crowd-sourced and depends on trail user contributions. Please report trail conditions via email.
October 15, 2026
Cooler temperatures, shorter days, frost and fresh snow are signs that autumn has arrived and winter is on its way! Expect fresh snow and/or ice at higher elevations and wet and muddy trails at lower elevation.
Trail Closures
- SECTION B NOTICE: West Fraser’s planned logging operations near Allison Creek have been delayed until mid-October. Heavy equipment will be operating in the area so hikers should proceed with caution when passing through cutblock 3383. A detour is recommended. See Map below.
CLOSURE – Kootenay National Park: Numa Creek Access Trail from Numa Creek campground to Numa Falls bridge is closed due to bridge washout and debris on trail.
Trail Notices
- DETOUR – Peter Lougheed Provincial Park: The GDT is using a detour route that begins at the bridge over the Kananaskis River, approximately 500 metres west of Point Backcountry Campground, avoiding the washed out bridge over Upper Kananaskis River.
- SECTION D: The area restriction for the wildfire in the Blaeberry valley was rescinded on September 8 so the David Thompson Heritage Trail has reopened and Section D is completely open.
- BLAEBERRY RIVER CABLE CAR: The new Blaeberry River Cable Car at the northern end of the Collie Creek Alternate Route is now fully operational. It can handle 1 or 2 people plus gear at a time, but the effort required is less if one person rides and one person pulls the hand line from the loading platform. Solo hikers are able to pull themselves across without assistance. If two people are riding at the same time, sit or kneel on opposite sides of the rope so the cart stays vertical, which reduces friction between the cable car and the wheels. The Collie Creek Alternate Route is open and is the recommended route given the Cairnes Creek bridge has washed out.
- CAIRNES CREEK BRIDGE: Cairnes Creek bridge was damaged over the winter and washed away this spring. A new temporary footbridge was constructed in June 2026 near the creek’s confluence with the Blaeberry River. To reach it, NOBO hikers should stay on the road all the way to the Blaeberry River, then follow the obvious trail heading north close to the river. The new bridge leads to the new Blaeberry cable car. SOBO hikers heading to Cairnes Creek Rec Site should bypass the cable car, continuing on the trail parallel to the river and cross the new footbridge to reach the campground.
- FIRE DANGER: Cooler wet weather has reduced the fire risk in the Canadian Rockies. Currently there are no fire bans along the GDT. If you must have a campfire in the backcountry, please ensure you follow the rules.
- ELK RUTTING SEASON: It is elk rutting season until mid-October. Warning signs that read “ATTENTION – Elk Mating” have been posted at areas where elk herds often gather. Be aware that bull elk become extremely aggressive during rutting season so keep at least 30 metres away from all elk and never get between a male and female elk.
- BEARS: It’s berry season so bears are out and about, actively searching for food and focused on feeding. Be bear aware on the trails this summer, make noise and carry bear spray.
- BEAR WARNING – Waterton Lakes National Park: A bear has approached people and tents and shown interest in human food at Bertha Bay Campground and Boundary Bay Campground and along the Lakeshore Trail. Extra caution is advised.
Access
- A Kananaskis Conservation Pass is 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.
- Walker Creek FSR is in good condition up to km 50 but the road is barricaded near km 52. The BC Ministry of Forests has indicated the road is closed beyond km 52 due to safety concerns and downrated (0 ton) bridges. Beyond that point, the road is very rough and overgrown and only accessible to OHVs for the remaining 23 km to 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 – Submit a Jasper trail condition report
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