Spring is in the air and this is transition time on the GDT. 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…
Effective immediately, the GDTA is announcing one change to the main route of the GDT as well as an update on the detour around the trail closures in Waterton Lakes National Park. Waterton Detour – UPDATED July 5, 2019 (Section A) – Most trails in Waterton Lakes National Park have re-opened this…
With less than four months until summer, it’s time to start making plans! This edition of the GDTA Pathfinder Newsletter has some important information for hiking and volunteering on the trail this year. Or if you are still undecided and are looking for inspiration, check out the articles written by David Higgins;…
The Great Divide Trail Association is an active organization with significant growth in 2018 and we are looking for an individual to take on the responsibilities of marketing and outreach. Some of our key accomplishments in 2018 include: Membership grew by about +30%. Significant work going into the planning, designing, constructing and…
By David Higgins Oddly, for someone who’s been closely involved with the Great Divide Trail for 45 of his 65 years, section-hiking the entire GDT – let alone thru-hiking it, where you knock the whole thing off in one go – is a notion that has never come into my…
By Dave Hockey In this issue of our newsletter I would like to chat about all the people it takes to put on a safe and successful trail building or maintenance trip. The GDTA prides itself on the quality of our trail building & maintenance trips but few people know…
By David Higgins In “The Vanishing Trail – Part 1” in last fall’s edition of the Pathfinder, I shared some background on the historic route traversing the Blaeberry River valley in British Columbia and the Howse River valley in Alberta. Known today as the David Thompson Heritage Trail, the backcountry…
By Brad Vaillancourt and Dan Durston Every family has its black sheep and the GDT is no different. Section D – Field to the Crossing – has an infamous and long-standing reputation of being the worst section of the GDT, demanding blood, sweat and tears from thru-hikers while providing very little…
Trail Conditions Update – November 23, 2018 Winter conditions are here. Snow has fallen on all of the GDT and is accumulating 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…
Summer of 2018 was very busy for the GDTA, with more trail building and maintenance trips than ever before! Despite another bad wildfire season, the GDT was as busy as ever with record numbers of thru-hikers on the trail. Read more about our recent events and activities in this edition…
