Kananaskis Reopens, But Recovery From Flooding Is Far From Over

Kananaskis Country has entered a new phase of recovery after last weekend's flooding, with road access largely restored and the State of Local Emergency lifted, even as crews continue repairing widespread damage to trails, campgrounds and recreational infrastructure.

Alberta Parks announced Wednesday, July 1, that the Kananaskis State of Local Emergency has officially ended after emergency crews restored access to the region following days of heavy rainfall, flooding, mudslides, and road washouts.

Highway 40 has now reopened in both directions, including across the Evan-Thomas Bridge and south toward Longview, allowing visitors to once again travel throughout much of Kananaskis Country. Frontcountry campers with reservations beginning July 2 are also being welcomed back.

The reopening marks a significant turnaround from earlier this week, when flooding and road washouts stranded campers overnight after both routes out of the Mount Kidd area became impassable.

While emergency restrictions have eased, Alberta Parks says the work is far from finished.

"Response efforts are beginning to transition from emergency response to recovery," the agency said Wednesday, noting crews are now conducting detailed assessments of trails, campgrounds, day-use areas, roads and other infrastructure damaged by flooding and high water.

Roads Are Open, But Many Trails Remain Closed

Although visitors can once again drive through much of Kananaskis Country, many of the area's most popular hiking destinations remain off limits.

Trails including Troll Falls, Heart Creek, Ribbon Creek, Galatea Creek, Buller Pass, Grotto Canyon, Bill Milne Trail, Baldy Pass, Cougar Creek, Centennial Ridge and sections of the High Rockies Trail remain closed while crews assess erosion, flood damage and unsafe conditions.

Several trailheads also remain inaccessible, and Alberta Parks says any trail accessed through a closed trailhead should be considered closed.

Officials continue to remind visitors to obey all barricades and closure signs, warning that entering restricted areas puts both visitors and recovery crews at risk while inspections and repairs continue.

Some Campgrounds Still Closed

The flooding has also forced the closure of several backcountry campgrounds, including Aster Lake, Big Elbow, Forks, Lillian Lake, Mount Romulus, Ribbon Falls, Ribbon Lake, Three Isle Lake, Tombstone and Turbine Canyon.

Visitors with reservations affected by the closures will be contacted directly by Alberta Parks. Impacted bookings will be automatically cancelled and fully refunded, including transaction and penalty fees. Officials are asking campers not to cancel reservations themselves, as doing so could delay refund processing.

Businesses Begin Welcoming Visitors Back

The improved road access has allowed businesses across Kananaskis to begin returning to normal operations.

Mount Engadine Lodge, which was forced to close on July 1 due to road access issues, announced it will reopen Friday afternoon.

By the evening of Tuesday, June 30, the Pomeroy Kananaskis Mountain Lodge, Kananaskis Nordic Spa, Boundary Ranch, Kananaskis Outfitters and other businesses in Kananaskis Village also resumed welcoming guests after Highway 40 reopened as far as the village.

Golf Course Escapes Major Damage

One of the region's largest recreational facilities also expects to reopen within days.

The Kananaskis Country Golf Course plans to reopen 18 holes on Monday, July 6 after receiving roughly 150 millimetres of rain over two days, causing the Kananaskis River to overflow onto parts of the course.

General manager Darren Robinson said the flooding deposited silt, debris and deadfall across portions of the property, particularly on the back nine of the Mount Lorette course, but the overall damage was far less severe than the devastating 2013 floods.

"In 2013, the flood ripped through the golf course, carving out channels, tearing apart cart paths and destroying irrigation systems," Robinson said in a video update.

"This year's event was mostly cosmetic."

Robinson credited riverbank restoration work completed after the 2013 flood with significantly reducing the damage this time.

Crews are continuing cleanup efforts with the goal of restoring all 36 holes as quickly as possible.

Lady MacDonald Trail Access Restored

Canmore has also reopened access to one of its busiest hiking routes.

The Town of Canmore says hikers can once again access the Lady MacDonald Trail from the Cougar Creek Trailhead after working with Alberta Parks to restore safe access following the storm.

However, officials stress that access is limited to the Lady MacDonald Trail only.

The Cougar Creek pathway beyond the trail junction, including the debris retention dam and Cougar Creek Canyon, remains closed because significant erosion has left creek embankments unstable.

The Town is urging hikers to stay on designated trails, respect all closure signs and remain prepared for changing trail conditions as recovery work continues.

While much of the Bow Valley has shifted from emergency response into recovery, officials say visitors should continue checking Alberta Parks advisories and Alberta 511 before travelling, as conditions and access may continue to change while cleanup efforts progress.