Bridge Washout Cuts Off Popular Shortcut To Rockwall Trail and Floe Lake

One of the most popular access routes into Kootenay National Park's famed Rockwall Trail has been knocked out for the 2026 hiking season after spring runoff washed away a bridge on the Numa Creek Trail.

Parks Canada announced that crews conducting routine spring inspections discovered the bridge crossing Numa Creek, located roughly 3.2 kilometres from the trailhead, had been destroyed. Significant debris accumulation has also made the trail impassable, prompting a full closure of the Numa Creek Trail from Numa Falls Bridge to Numa Creek Campground. Violators could face penalties of up to $25,000 under the Canada National Parks Act.

While the closure affects only a relatively short section of trail, the impact will be felt by many Rockies hikers.

The Numa Creek trailhead has long served as a popular alternative access point for the Rockwall Trail, one of the Canadian Rockies' most celebrated backpacking routes. The full Rockwall spans approximately 54 kilometres through Kootenay National Park, crossing three alpine passes and linking the Paint Pots and Floe Lake trailheads over a typical three- to five-day trip.

For many hikers, however, Numa Creek offered a way to experience one of the trail's most spectacular sections without committing to the entire route.

By starting at Numa Falls, backpackers could reach Numa Pass and continue to Floe Lake, widely considered one of the highlights of the Rockwall, while skipping much of the northern half of the trail. The route became especially popular among hikers looking for a shorter overnight or weekend trip rather than a full multi-day traverse.

That option is now off the table.

Parks Canada says access to the Rockwall Trail via Floe Lake, Tumbling Creek and Helmet Falls remains unaffected. Hikers can still reach Floe Lake using the dedicated Floe Lake trail, a 10.8-kilometre climb that gains more than 1,100 metres in elevation. The lake remains accessible as either a strenuous day hike or an overnight backpacking destination.

The Numa Creek Campground itself remains open and can still be reached from elsewhere on the Rockwall Trail, although backcountry reservations are required. The Numa Falls day-use area also remains accessible.

For hikers hoping to complete the Rockwall in 2026, the closure means fewer options for entering or exiting the route. Those who previously relied on Numa Creek to shorten the journey will instead need to tackle the full traverse or plan trips around the remaining access points.

Parks Canada has not indicated whether repairs will be attempted this season.