Systems, methods, and devices for improved routing operations in a network computing environment. A system includes a network topology comprising a plurality of spine nodes and a plurality of leaf nodes, wherein a link between a first spine node and a first leaf node is inactive. The first spine node includes one or more processors configurable to execute instructions stored in non-transitory computer readable storage media. The instructions include receiving a packet to be transmitted to the first leaf node. The instructions include identifying an alternative spine node at a same level in the network topology. The instructions include attaching a tunnel label to the packet, wherein the tunnel label indicates the packet should be transmitted to the alternative spine node.