November 16, 2022
Winter conditions are here. Snow is falling and accumulating on the GDT so expect wet, icy and slippery trail conditions. Boots, hiking poles, snow cleats or snowshoes are recommended. Temperatures are below freezing, so be prepared for winter conditions and short days when travelling into the backcountry this winter.
Remember that the GDT is not designed for snow travel and is not maintained in the winter. When the trail is covered in snow, finding it may be impossible so excellent navigation skills are required. Hiking or skiing on the GDT when it’s snow covered means exposing yourself to potential avalanche risk. In many places, it’s unwise to travel the trail during these conditions. While planning your hike, research snow conditions and check out the Canadian Avalanche Centre for the latest avalanche bulletins.
TRAIL CLOSURES AND NOTICES:
- CLOSURE – Mount Robson Provincial Park: The Berg Lake Trail will remain closed for repairs during the 2023 season, except for the first 7 kilometres from the parking lot to Kinney Lake. 14 sites at Kinney Lake Campground will open for reservations on a four-month rolling window at 7:00am on February 1, 2023.
- SEASONAL CLOSURE – Jasper National Park: The GDT is closed from Four Point Campground (e15) to Trapper Creek (e24) and from Moose Pass (f15) to Bess Pass (g3) from November 1, 2021 to May 15, 2022, to prevent winter trails from facilitating an unnatural level of predator access to threatened woodland caribou.
- CLOSURE – Forks campground in Peter Lougheed Provincial Park is closed due to construction.
- CLOSURE – Egypt Lake and Bryant Creek shelters are closed until further notice due to construction.
ACCESS:
- Winter conditions exist on many mountain highways and roads. Roads can be snowy and icy so check for the latest conditions before you travel and carry chains and/or winter tires. For more information, check out Alberta 511 and Drive BC.
- Highway 40 is seasonally closed from Peter Lougheed Provincial Park to Highwood House beginning December 1.
- Forestry Trunk Road 940 is seasonally closed south of Cataract Creek and northwest of Plateau Mountain Road beginning December 1.
- 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.
- Highway 1 road construction 4 km east of Golden – Extended 24 closure until December 2022. Detour via Highway 93S and Highway 95.
- Walker Creek FSR is inaccessible to regular vehicles during the winter.
National and Provincial Park Trail Conditions:
Banff National Park
Jasper National Park
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
