An iconic riverside trail in the N.W.T. known for its waterfall views will remain closed until “a full geotechnical assessment” of the area can be completed, the territorial government says, after soil erosion presented a “serious risk” to users of the trail.

The Twin Falls Park is located just under 75 kilometres north of the Alberta border and 50 kilometres south of Hay River, N.W.T. Its main trail runs for five kilometres along the Hay River, offering views of the Alexandra and Louise Falls.

The entire trail system in the park was forced to close in November due to soil erosion along the riverbank. That includes viewing platforms at both waterfalls, according to the government.

The territory’s notice, sent Tuesday, was issued because “people have not been listening or reading the closure signs,” according to Kathy Lepine, the South Slave regional superintendent for the Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment.

There’s currently no confirmed timeline for reopening the erosion-impacted areas because of the extent of the damage.

“A full geotechnical assessment of the area is required to understand what needs to be done in order to make the area safe enough to reopen,” the release reads. “Closures will remain in place until trails and infrastructure are improved and the area is deemed safe for public access.”

But speaking to CBC, Lepine suggested that assessment could be completed as early as July, with parts of the trail able to reopen by late August.

‘A horrible, scary sound’

Doug Lamalice, a member of the Kátł’odeeche First Nation in Hay River, led tours on the Twin Falls Park trail for many years.

“I brought thousands of people from all over this world … on that tour,” he said.

In addition to being a popular tourist attraction, the trail followed a historic portage route used by Dene hunters, according to Lamalice. The area is sacred to the Dene.

“We still have cabins up there,” he said. “This is our land.”

Lamalice said he noticed large parts of the canyon wall crumbling and falling over the last several years.

“The dryness was just too much,” he said. “I would hear parts of the wall giving way and crashing into the water. It sounded like thunder. It was a horrible, scary sound.”

Lamalice said if the trail is damaged beyond repair, it will be important to rescue the interpretive signage along the route that tells the story of its use by the Dene.

“We don’t want that [place] falling into a [situation] where it’s never going to be understood again,” he said. “It’s been there as a teacher since time immemorial.”

Campground amenities open

A short section of undamaged trail located above Alexandra Falls is also temporarily closed due to high water levels, the release said.

The nearby Escarpment Creek area has also already been closed for some time for wildfire remediation work.

Bathrooms and picnic tables at both the Louise Falls Campground and the Alexandra Falls rest stop will remain available for public use, the release said.