Hello all, After one of the coldest winters in a long time, we are all thankful for the arrival of spring! As the snow melts, let’s cross our fingers that we don’t have flooding like last year and soon we’ll be back up in the mountains and on the Great Divide.
CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS:
Plans are coming together for our trail maintenance trip taking place from July 24 to 27 in the Hidden Creek area of the Great Divide but we need you!
This year our plan is to repair damage to the trail caused by last year’s floods and re-establish the trail from Tornado Pass to Hidden Creek. We’ll be repairing and building trail tread, removing brush and fallen trees, blazing and marking the trail, assessing damage to bridges and performing riparian restoration as required. For those of you new to trail building and maintenance, this year’s trip will include a tool use and safety orientation so even if you don’t have previous experience please consider getting involved.
GDTA Trail Maintenance Trip 2014
Where: Hidden Creek
When: July 24 to 27, 2014
Go outdoors. Play in the dirt. Sleep under the stars.
Make a difference. Get involved!
Email me if you are interested in participating in this year’s Trail Maintenance Trip.
If you are not able to participate on the actual trip dates but would like to help with some of the trip planning activities let me know – we can use your help!
Upcoming GDT Presentations:
Interested in learning more about the Great Divide Trail and the work of the GDTA? Come check out one of these presentations!
March 25 at 7:00pm at the Alberta Wilderness Association office (455 – 12 Street NW, CALGARY).
April 7 at 7:00pm at the University of Calgary Outdoor Centre (2500 University Dr NW, CALGARY).
April 9 at 7:00pm at the University of British Columbia Varsity Outdoors Club (Room 235 – Henry Angus Building, 2053 Main Mall, VANCOUVER).
May 27 at 7:00pm at the Calgary MEC (830 – 10th Avenue SW, CALGARY).
GDT Trail Conditions Update:
While the GDT is still under snow, we can report that at the end of last summer, the Trail was generally in good condition and still very hikeable. But as a result of last summer’s flood damage to the trail and bridges it is recommended that anyone planning to hike the GDT this year exercise additional caution and allow adequate time to route-find and safely navigate unforeseen obstacles.
Check out the most recent Snow Reports in BC and Alberta where current snow depths in BC are slightly below seasonal levels and slightly above in Alberta.
Access Roads Update:
Winter conditions still apply to most GDT access roads. Highway 40 is closed from Highway 541 (Highwood House) to Kananaskis Trail for the winter and will re-open on June 15. 14 kilometres of Forestry Trunk Road 940 is open from Highwood House to Cataract Creek but is still closed south of Cataract Creek to the junction of Highway 532. Highway 532 remains closed and is not expected to re-open until July. The Oldman River Road is washed out approximately 15 kilometres from the junction with Forestry Trunk Road 940 with no timetable for repair/re-opening.
GDT Trip-Planning:
Anyone planning to hike on the GDT this year, please let us know if we can be of assistance with your trip-planning. The GDTA has many trip-planning resources including maps, GPS and Google Earth coordinates, re-supply information and many miles logged on the trail itself, and we’re happy to help!
Like the GDTA’s Facebook page.
Sincerely,
Brad Vaillancourt
President, Great Divide Trail Association
