A beloved trail by the river in the N.W.T. famous for its stunning waterfall sights will stay shut until a comprehensive geotechnical assessment of the area is finished, as per the territorial government. The closure was prompted by significant soil erosion posing a danger to trail users.
Twin Falls Park, situated about 75 kilometers north of the Alberta border and 50 kilometers south of Hay River, N.W.T., features a five-kilometer trail along the Hay River, providing picturesque views of Alexandra and Louise Falls.
In November, the entire trail system within the park was closed due to riverbank erosion, which includes viewing platforms at both waterfalls, according to the government.
The territorial notice, issued on Tuesday, highlighted that the closure was necessitated because individuals were disregarding or not reading the closure signs, said Kathy Lepine, the South Slave regional superintendent for the Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment.
Due to the extensive damage, there is currently no set timeframe for reopening the areas affected by erosion.
“A thorough geotechnical assessment of the area is necessary to determine the safety measures needed for reopening,” the statement indicated. “Closures will persist until enhancements are made to the trails and infrastructure, ensuring the area is safe for public access.”
While speaking to CBC, Lepine hinted that the assessment might conclude by July, with certain parts of the trail potentially reopening by late August.
‘A dreadful, alarming noise’
Doug Lamalice, a member of the Kátł’odeeche First Nation in Hay River, led tours on the Twin Falls Park trail for numerous years.
“I’ve brought countless people from around the globe on that tour,” he mentioned.
Besides being a popular tourist spot, the trail follows a historic portage path used by Dene hunters, as per Lamalice, who emphasized the area’s significance to the Dene community.
“We still have cabins up there,” he noted. “This is our land.”
Lamalice recalled observing substantial sections of the canyon wall crumbling and collapsing over recent years.
“The aridity became too much,” he expressed. “I could hear parts of the wall crumbling and plunging into the water. It sounded like thunder. It was a dreadful, alarming noise.”
Lamalice stressed the importance of salvaging the interpretive signs along the trail if it is beyond repair, as they narrate the story of its historical use by the Dene people.
“We don’t want that [place] to end up in a state where its significance is lost forever,” he stated. “It has served as a teacher since time immemorial.”
