After five years of planning, collaboration, fundraising, and an incredible amount of volunteer effort, we are more than excited to announce that the Blaeberry Cable Car is complete and officially open for hiker use, just in time for the 2026 Great Divide Trail hiking season.
Located in the middle of Section D of the Great Divide Trail, the new cable car provides a safe and reliable crossing of the Blaeberry River, replacing the temporary log bridge that had served hikers in recent years. What began as a proposal for a permanent aluminum bridge evolved into the Great Divide Trail’s first cable car aerial ferry, creating a unique and memorable experience while dramatically improving safety. The new cable car also enables a major enhancement to the hiker experience in the Blaeberry Valley, by eventually allowing the Collie Creek Alternate to become the official route of the GDT, replacing a tedious 14-km road walk with a scenic forested footpath that’s now usable by all hikers.
The first official Great Divide Trail hiker to use the new crossing was Mark Donald, who rode the cable car on Tuesday, July 7, 2026, making for an exciting moment!
Projects like this are never accomplished by one organization alone, and this one is no exception.
First and foremost, we extend thanks to Recreation Sites & Trails BC for working alongside the GDTA, helping solve challenges, navigate approvals, and ultimately bring this ambitious vision to life.
We also thank BC Parks for donating the cable car towers and cart. This contribution made the project possible and provided the foundation for what has become one of the most unique pieces of backcountry infrastructure on the Great Divide Trail.
A very special thank you goes to Brendan Harvey of Upslope Millwright & Rigging. Brendan’s expertise, ingenuity, and countless hours of work were absolutely essential to the successful completion of the cable car. Without his knowledge, skills, and commitment, this project could not have been completed.
We are also incredibly grateful to the Columbia Basin Trust for believing in this project from the beginning. Their financial support, and their willingness to stay with us as the project evolved over several years, helped carry this vision through to completion.
This project was also made possible through the generosity of our supporters. Thank you to every individual who contributed, whether through direct donations or by supporting our Trail Supporter campaign with the Blaeberry Crossing in mind. Every contribution helped move this project forward.
We would like to recognize one remarkable act of generosity. An anonymous donor stepped forward with an extraordinary $60,000 donation, providing the final funding needed to bring the project across the finish line. We are profoundly grateful for this incredible gift and the confidence it demonstrates in the future of the Great Divide Trail.
Last but certainly not least, we extend our deepest appreciation to the many GDTA volunteers who made this project possible. In particular, we want to recognize our trip leaders Dave Higgins and Stuart Mitchell, who dedicated an incredible amount of time, energy, skill, and effort, not to mention years, to bringing this project to life. From planning and organizing work trips to hauling materials, solving challenges in the field, and putting in countless hours of hard work in a remote and demanding environment, their commitment was truly extraordinary. This project is a reflection of the passion and dedication of our volunteer community, and we cannot thank them enough for everything they have contributed.
The completion of the Blaeberry Cable Car is much more than the installation of a new river crossing. It is a testament to what can be achieved when government agencies, community partners, skilled professionals, volunteers, donors, and trail supporters work together toward a common goal.
To everyone who contributed your time, expertise, funding, equipment, or encouragement over the past four years, thank you.
We look forward to welcoming hikers to experience the Blaeberry Cable Car throughout the 2026 hiking season and for many years to come.
Happy hiking!
