By TS Owen

editor@thecrag.ca

Trans-Canada traffic was stuck in mud on Highway One for five hours on Saturday after a massive thunderstorm struck the Yoho National Parks and the Lake Louise area around 5:30, causing rock and mudslides that blocked both lanes.

Highway One between West Louise Lodge and Field, B.C., near the spiral tunnels was closed while half a dozen agencies responded to traffic control and clean up.

Westbound traffic was rerouted at Castle Junction to the #93 Highway south to Radium, B.C. while eastbound traffic was redirected at Golden, B.C. to the #95 Highway south to Radium.

Crews were able to get one lane of traffic open, but it was slow going as the clean-up continued until B.C. crews were able to clear the road by 10:15 p.m. Saturday night.

A Canadian Pacific train was stranded between two mudslides covering the tracks, although no damage was reported to the train.

A third slide area covered the Takakkaw Falls road, but motorists were able to drive over the slide to exit the area.

The storm also knocked out electricity in the region until 3:30 a.m. Sunday. Banff Public Safety Wardens, Lake Louise Wardens, highways personnel, Standish Flagging from Banff and Crossroads from Golden and Golden Flaggers and Alpine helicopters all assisted in traffic control and clean-up efforts.

No injuries were reported.