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.
July 25, 2024
Several out of control wildfires have resulted in closure of Sections D, E and F. Hopefully a slight cooling trend and rain forecast for Jasper brings some relief. Our thoughts are with the people impacted and those fighting the fires in Jasper.
TRAIL CLOSURES AND NOTICES:
- SECTION D CLOSURE: Due to active wildfires near the Blaeberry River and in the Amiskwi Valley in Yoho National Park, the GDT is closed from the Amiskwi picnic area (d1) to Parapet Creek, 2 km north of Cairnes Creek Recreation Site (d9). There is no detour at this time.
- SECTIONS E and F CLOSURE: Due to wildfire, Jasper National Park is closed and an evacuation order has been issued for the park and the Town of Jasper. As this is a rapidly developing situation, please follow the Alberta Emergency Alert page for updates.
- SECTION G WILDFIRE SITUATION: Several out of control wildfires are being tracked near Section G. An evacuation order has been issued for areas near Highway 16 which has closed access to the Blueberry Creek trailhead. The GDT itself remains open in Section G.
- WILDFIRES and FIRE BANS: Wildfire smoke is affecting many areas and fire bans exist throughout BC and Alberta, covering all of the GDT. Please be fire smart on the trail this summer and ensure you follow the rules.
- CREEKS: Rapid snow melt during this time of year results in high water levels and potentially dangerous creek crossings, particularly later in the day. Attempt to ford larger creeks early in the day when water levels are lowest.
- CLOSURE – Mount Robson Provincial Park: Portions of the Berg Lake Trail will remain closed for repairs during the 2024 season, eliminating access to or from the GDT. Kinney Lake and Whitehorn campgrounds will be open for reservations on a four-month rolling window, accessed only from the Kinney Lake trailhead near Highway 16. Mount Robson Visitor Centre has temporarily suspended its resupply package service. The Moose River Trail is open, giving GDT Hikers 4 options to use as the GDT northern terminus other than the Berg Lake Trail:
1. Jasper
2. Moose River
3. Blueberry
4. Kakwa
- CLOSURE – Collie Creek Alternate Route: A new log bridge across the Blaeberry River near Cairnes Creek Rec Site was built last month (June 2024), restoring access to the Collie Creek Trail on the east side of the Blaeberry River. The logs have been ratchet strapped together and two overhead tensioned grab ropes have been installed, but hikers should use this bridge at their own risk. The main route of the GDT via Ensign Creek Road to Cairnes Creek remains open and accessible.
- CLOSURE – Egypt Lake and Bryant Creek shelters are closed until further notice due to construction.
- BEARS: Bears are out and about so be bear aware on the trails, make noise and carry bear spray.
ACCESS:
- Highway 16, Highway 93N & Highway 93A within Jasper National Park are CLOSED due to wildfire. Westbound motorists are advised to detour using Highway 40 North up through Grande Prairie or Highway 43. Eastbound and westbound motorists are able to travel via TransCanada Highway 1. Traffic on eastbound and westbound Highway 16 may EXIT ONLY. Highway 93 is CLOSED just north of the Saskatchewan River Crossing to Jasper. Traffic from Highway 93N and Highway 11, west of Nordegg, must head south to Lake Louise.
- A Kananaskis Conservation Pass will be 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.
- BC Parks lists Walker Creek FSR as closed at km 37 due to unsafe road conditions, but the road has been improved this summer and is accessible beyond that point for those with high clearance 4WD vehicles willing to drive the rough and overgrown road all the way 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
