Kananaskis trails reopening as landscape dries after late-June flooding
Some backcountry areas remain closed after the June 28 storm that caused evacuations, basement flooding, and a bridge collapse.
The day's top stories, food & events — every morning at 7. Unsubscribe anytime.
Kananaskis is drying out after the storm system that peaked on June 28 caused evacuations, basement flooding, and a bridge collapse across the landscape.
Friends of Kananaskis Country, a local monitoring group, reports that recently irrigated trails have dried with the sunny weather, but some areas remain waterlogged. Executive director Trevor Julian said trails in wet-prone areas — bottom of valleys and erosion-prone sections — suffered more damage from the intense 24-hour rainfall. A number of backcountry campgrounds, trails, and day-use areas remain closed. A full update of trail re-openings is available on the Alberta Parks advisory page.
Boundary Ranch in Kananaskis, which dug protective trenches and laid land bridges ahead of the storm, emerged in perfect condition. Owner Rick Guinn said preparation was key to surviving the flooding. He noted that water mitigation is still needed for infrastructure, particularly at a bridge area where deadfall from the 2013 flood remains dried and ready to plug the waterway during future high water events. The ranch lost two business days to road closures but has since reopened and returned to the trails.
