Trail Conditions Update – October 23, 2017
Fall colours are here, and so is the snow! Snow has fallen on most of the GDT and is accumulating at higher elevations. Expect snow above 1500 metres with wet, icy and slippery trail conditions, and wet and muddy sections at lower elevations with recent rainfall or snow melt. Heavy boots or cleats are recommended. Nighttime and early morning temperatures are below freezing, so be prepared for cold temperatures and shorter days when travelling into the backcountry this fall.
TRAIL CLOSURES:
- Due to the Kenow wildfire, all trails and backcountry campgrounds in Waterton Lakes National Park and Akamina Kishinena Provincial Park remain closed. The GDT is closed from the International Boundary (a1) to Sage Pass (a17). No detour is available.
- Due to the Verdant Creek Wildfire, the GDT is closed from Citadel Pass (c13) to Sunshine Meadows (c15). Detour around the closure by leaving the GDT at Watridge Lake trail junction (c7) and rejoin the GDT at Sunshine Village (c15).
- The GDT will be closed from Four Point Campground (e15) to Signal Mountain Trailhead (e32) from November 1, 2017 to February 28, 2018, to prevent trails from facilitating an unnatural level of predator access to threatened woodland caribou.
- Numa Creek Trail (Rockwall access trail) remains closed due to wash out of the bridge over the Vermilion River.
- Tumbling Creek Trail (Rockwall access trail) is closed from the Ochre Creek trail to the intersection of the Rockwall Trail before the Tumbling bridge due to a missing bridge at km 6.6.
ELK RUTTING SEASON WARNING: It is elk rutting season. 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 pre-hibernation feeding season for both black and grizzly bears which increases the chances of running into a bear on the trail. It is easy to surprise a bear that is focussed on feeding so make noise while hiking in bear territory. Carry bear spray, watch for fresh bear signs, and if you see a bear, back away slowly and leave the area. Never run.
TRAIL NOTICES:
- From Scarpe Pass (a24), the trail disappears so hikers must route-find up to La Coulotte Ridge, where the hiking becomes significantly more difficult until you reach the ATV track (a27) heading down to the West Castle Road.
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- Leroy Creek has washed out approximately 100m of the trail obscuring the location of the creek ford. Look for cairns on either side of the creek marking the crossing.
- There is a new bridge over the Upper Elk Lake outflow (b38) and a new bypass trail to Fox Lake and West Elk Pass just before the bridge.
- A windstorm blew through Yoho National Park in July 2017 resulting in many blown down trees – On the Ottertail Trail, there are several debris fields with fallen trees across the trail near Goodsir Pass (c36). On the Amiskwi Trail, about 1 km from the trailhead (d1), there are dozens of trees blow down across the trail.
- Cairnes Creek (d9): The bridge is washed out making this a potentially dangerous ford. There are 2 large trees down across the creek allowing hikers to cross. If these trees wash away, it is recommended to ford the creek early in the morning when glacial melt is lowest.
- The damaged Lambe Creek bridge (d10) was removed in September 2015. It is recommended to ford the creek downstream.
- The Howse Pass Trail from Conway Creek (d12) to the Glacier Lake trail junction (d14, 15 km) is in very poor condition. The trail is overgrown, with hundreds of wind-fallen trees across the trail. Hiking in the Howse River floodplain is a viable alternative if the Howse River is low enough to ford.
- The Owen Creek Trail was cleared in July 2015 up to km 6 but there has been some new deadfall since then. Beyond that point, the trail is in poor shape with several washed out sections. Expect challenging hiking for 3 km including skirting along steep creek-side cliffs and rock-hopping in the creek itself. At km 6, do not take the trail heading up away from the creek (it is a deadend). Look for orange blazes marking the correct route staying near the creek.
- The Maligne Pass trail in Jasper National Park has been decommissioned and is in poor shape. The trail from Pobokton Creek (e20) to Maligne Lake (e25, approx 42 km) is no longer being maintained by Parks Canada so expect deteriorating and overgrown trail conditions; long pants are recommended. The Maligne River bridge has been removed but the river can be easily forded in normal summer conditions (knee deep in mid-summer). Most other bridges are still in place. Read Nathan Dahl’s August 30, 2015 Maligne Pass trail update here. The Six Passes Route is a good alternative to the overgrown trail.
- The Yates Torrent Bridge is out at the crossing of the Coleman Glacier outflow (near f16). Do not attempt to cross at the old bridge location. Instead, ford the Smoky River farther down the valley. Attempt to cross early in the morning when glacial melt is the lowest or be prepared for a fast and potentially dangerous creek ford.
- The bridges across Gendarme and Carcajou Creeks are out on the Jasper North Boundary Trail. These two creeks are smaller than the Smoky River, but can still be treacherous. Cross Gendarme at the horse crossing just below the old bridge (marked), and Carcajou about 100m below the trail.
- The bridge across Buchanan Creek on the trail to Kakwa Lake, has been removed. The crossing here can be hazardous early in the year or after heavy rains.
ACCESS ROADS:
- Access to the northern terminus of the GDT in Kakwa Provincial Park is via the Walker Creek Forest Service Road. The Walker Creek FSR is uneven, rutted, slippery and rough, so 4WD/AWD high clearance vehicle is recommended. The last 10km from Bastille Creek to Buchanan Creek is closed due to washouts and is not driveable by vehicle so be prepared to walk this distance on foot.
