Great Divide Trail: Yoho Traverse

This is a 45-mile (72 km), one-way section of the Great Divide Trail between Goodsir Pass and Amiskwi Pass. It descends through Ottertail Valley to Highway 1, follows the highway and a backroad into Field, then crosses town to Tally-Ho Trail, Natural Bridge and the Amiskwi Valley. The line connects two GDT sections at Field; no published total describes exactly this combination. Treat it as a multi-day backcountry traverse, not a day hike or loop. Allow about 36 hours of walking, usually spread over four or five days, and arrange access and exit transport.

From Goodsir Pass the route descends through the McArthur Creek and Ottertail Valley corridor. At the Ottertail trailhead, the current GDT alignment walks beside Highway 1 for 4.9 km, then follows a 3.5 km backroad into Field. That road and town link are part of the mileage here. Field is the midway resupply stop.

From Field, follow Tally-Ho Trail 4.5 km to Natural Bridge, then continue north through Amiskwi Valley to Amiskwi Pass. The Amiskwi Valley is the main route; the Kiwetinok alternate is a different line and is not included. The first part is maintained, but the tread soon becomes little used. Expect frequent blowdowns, overgrowth and washouts, plus three unbridged fords of the Amiskwi River. The section is remote and needs confident navigation and careful water-crossing decisions.

Backcountry camping in Yoho requires a permit. Reserve designated sites, or obtain a random-camping permit for a designated area before relying on an overnight stop. Pets are allowed in the backcountry on leash. Neither pass is a vehicle trailhead, so plan the approach and pickup as a point-to-point trip. Check current access and route conditions before setting out.

Field grew as a Canadian Pacific Railway switching point. Before the Spiral Tunnels opened in 1909, trains descended the steep Big Hill, where extra locomotives were needed to haul them back up the grade. Today, the hamlet is also a practical break for GDT hikers to resupply.