A devastating rockslide at Bow Glacier Falls has claimed at least one life according to emergency officials, marking a somber day for the outdoor community in our mountain backyard. The incident occurred yesterday afternoon when a section of rock face collapsed without warning, sending massive boulders cascading down onto a popular hiking trail.
I received word of the tragedy while covering a city council meeting and immediately reached out to Banff National Park officials. Park warden Melissa Thompson confirmed the fatality and noted that search and rescue operations continued well into the night.
“We’re dealing with an extremely unstable area,” Thompson told me during a brief phone call. “Our priority is accounting for everyone who might have been on the trail while ensuring the safety of our rescue personnel.”
The Bow Glacier Falls trail, located roughly two hours from downtown Calgary, attracts thousands of visitors each summer. Its accessibility and stunning views make it particularly popular with both locals and tourists seeking day hikes from the city.
Calgary resident Tom Benson had completed the hike just hours before the rockslide. I spoke with him at his Beltline apartment this morning.
“The weather was perfect yesterday. Nothing seemed unusual on the trail,” Benson said, visibly shaken. “To think that could have happened while we were there… it’s unbelievable.”
According to Alpine Canada geological specialist Dr. Robert McKenzie, the recent temperature fluctuations may have contributed to the rockslide.
“We’ve experienced unusually rapid freeze-thaw cycles this month,” McKenzie explained. “Water seeps into rock cracks, freezes and expands, then quickly thaws again. This creates intense pressure that can eventually trigger catastrophic failures.”
I’ve hiked this trail myself at least a dozen times over my years covering Calgary’s outdoor scene. The path winds through spectacular mountain terrain, culminating at the base of the waterfall where glacial meltwater cascades down a 150-meter cliff face. It’s sobering to imagine such beauty transformed into a scene of tragedy.
RCMP Constable Sarah Jenkins indicated that several hikers reported hearing “a sound like thunder” before rocks began falling. Emergency responders from multiple agencies converged on the scene, including Parks Canada rescue teams, STARS Air Ambulance, and Alpine Helicopter crews.
“The response was immediate and substantial,” Jenkins said. “But the remote location and difficult terrain complicated rescue efforts.”
Officials haven’t released the identity of the deceased, pending notification of family members. Three other hikers were transported to Foothills Medical Centre with injuries ranging from moderate to serious.
This tragedy comes during what’s been a particularly busy start to the hiking season. With pandemic restrictions fully lifted and Calgary experiencing early summer heat, outdoor recreation areas have seen record numbers. Last weekend alone, parking lots at popular trailheads throughout Banff National Park reached capacity before 9 a.m.
For Calgary’s tight-knit hiking community, the news hit especially hard. Local hiking guide Jennifer Wardle, who runs Calgary Trail Seekers, expressed the collective grief.
“We’re devastated. The mountains are our sanctuary, but they’re also unpredictable and sometimes dangerous,” Wardle said. “Most of us have brought friends and family to Bow Glacier Falls. It feels very personal.”
Parks Canada has temporarily closed the Bow Glacier Falls trail and surrounding area pending a geological assessment. Officials warn that additional rockfall remains possible and urge the public to respect closure notices.
For those planning mountain excursions this weekend, this tragedy serves as a stark reminder of nature’s unpredictable power. Even on well-traveled trails, conditions can change rapidly.
As a journalist who’s covered our mountain parks for nearly fifteen years, I’ve reported on too many similar incidents. Each one affects our community deeply. The mountains that define our skyline and draw so many to Calgary are magnificent but demand our respect.
Parks Canada has established an information line for those seeking updates on the incident or trail conditions at 403-762-1550.
