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.
May 9, 2025
Spring is in the air and this is transition time on the GDT. As the snow melts, valley bottom trails at lower elevations vary from bare and muddy to slushy and icy, while trails at higher elevation remain snowbound. With warmer weather, trail conditions can change quickly from icy in the morning to slushy and slippery in the afternoon. Plan for varying conditions – warm layers, boots, snowshoes, cleats and/or poles are recommended. Please note that most trails are not maintained in the winter and downed trees won’t be removed until the trails are clear, usually in July.
TRAIL CLOSURES AND NOTICES:
- SNOW MELT: Snow levels in the southern and central Rockies are lower than average for this time of year and on track for early snow-free trail conditions. Spring avalanche conditions continue to exist so prepare accordingly. For up to date snow level data in BC, check out the Snow Survey Stations Interactive Map. In Alberta, check out the Alberta River Basins map (turn on the snow pillow layer).
- FIRE BANS: Conditions in Alberta are already dry resulting in fire bans or restrictions on most of the GDT in Alberta. If you must have a campfire in the backcountry, ensure you follow the rules.
- SECTION E UPDATE: Most of Jasper National Park reopened on October 11, 2024, and the Skyline Trail (which was partially damaged by wildfire near Signal Mountain) reopened on December 18, 2024, meaning all of the GDT in Jasper has reopened. Wabasso Lake access trail remains closed. Please be mindful that while the park and town have reopened to visitors, businesses and residents are still recovering from the impact of the wildfire.
- SECTION F Update – Mount Robson Provincial Park: The Berg Lake trail will completely reopen on June 26, 2025.
- CAUTION – Collie Creek Alternate Route: A new log bridge across the Blaeberry River near Cairnes Creek Rec Site was built in June 2024, restoring access to the Collie Creek Trail on the east side of the Blaeberry River. Two 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.
- CLOSURE – Egypt Lake and Bryant Creek shelters are closed until further notice due to construction.
- ELK CALVING SEASON: mid May to June 30. Protective mother elk will aggressively protect their newborns by kicking and charging at people. Stay at least 30 metres away from all elk during this time of year. Pay attention to trail closures in known elk calving areas.
- TICKS: Tick season has started. Be extra careful when in areas with a lot of underbrush and check yourself and your clothing after your hike.
- BEARS: With spring’s arrival, bears are leaving their dens in search of food. Be bear aware on the trails this spring, make noise and carry bear spray.
ACCESS:
- Highway 40 is seasonally closed from Peter Lougheed Provincial Park to Highwood House until June 14, 2025.
- 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 had some maintenance in the past couple years and remains accessible beyond that point for those with high clearance 4WD vehicles willing to drive the very 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