Cadomin to Luscar Mountain Mining Road — Coal Branch Country
Open-pit ghosts and sheep country above the Coal Branch.
The Coal Branch west of Hinton is industrial history wearing mountain scenery like a disguise. Cadomin itself is a handful of houses at the end of the pavement — beyond it, the roads that once served the Luscar and Gregg River open-pit coal mines now form a loose network of high-clearance tracks that climb into serious alpine terrain. The main push up toward Luscar Mountain takes you across wide, exposed plateau with views into the Athabasca drainage and the peaks of Jasper National Park to the west. The road surface is a mix of gravel, shale, and loose rock with steep pitches on the upper sections. Watch for the headframe ruins and overburden piles — industrial artifacts scattered across terrain that has mostly gone back to wild. Bighorn sheep are thick up here.
This is genuine high-clearance territory. A lifted 4WD with locking differentials handles it confidently; a stock SUV is a gamble on the upper ridge sections, especially if there’s been recent rain. The shale gets slick. No permit required, but check with Alberta Environment for seasonal closures — caribou range overlaps this area and closures do happen. No cell service. Carry water; there are no reliable sources on the upper plateau. Best run July through early October. Cadomin has no services — fuel in Hinton before you leave pavement. This is the kind of place that feels like you shouldn’t be there, which is exactly the point.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Difficult |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | High Clearance, Technical 4x4 |
| Surface | Dirt, Gravel, Rock |
| Features | Camping, High Altitude, Historic, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 28 mi / 45 km |
| Duration | 1 day |
| Max elevation (ft) | 7200 ft |
| Best season | July-October |
| Minimum vehicle | Lifted 4WD with lockers recommended |
| Nearest town | Cadomin, Alberta |
| Land manager | Alberta Environment and Protected Areas |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | alberta.ca |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
| Copy both for Google Maps directionsClick to copy the directions URL · or open it directly in a new tab | |
| Find on Google | Search on Google → |
Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock Tacoma or 4Runner run this trail, or do I actually need lockers?
A stock rig will struggle — the upper sections have loose shale, off-camber shelf road, and rocky pitches that punish low clearance fast. A lift, aggressive all-terrain tires, and at least a rear locker are strongly recommended. Experienced drivers in well-built rigs with lockers front and rear will have the most control on the technical sections near the Luscar ridgeline.
When does snow close this trail and when is it reliably open?
July through October is the reliable window — the upper elevations push 7,200 feet and can hold snow well into June and get hit again by September storms. Don't gamble on early July without checking recent conditions; wet shale on steep shelf road is a different beast than dry summer runs.
Do I need a permit to drive this trail or camp out here?
No specific trail permit is required, but you're on Alberta public land managed under provincial regulations — follow the Public Lands Act for dispersed camping (14-day max stay, no permanent structures, pack out your garbage). No fees as of now, but check Alberta Environment and Protected Areas for current industrial access notices that could affect road closures.
What's the hardest section and what actually makes it technical?
The climb toward the Luscar ridgeline is where things get serious — loose shale shelves, exposed drop-offs, and narrow shelf road with limited room to recover if you slide. The combination of elevation gain, crumbling surface, and no bailout options for long stretches is what earns this trail its difficult rating, not just one single obstacle.
There's zero cell service out here — how far is the nearest gas and should I bring water?
Cadomin is your last stop before this trail and it's a small hamlet — fuel up in Hinton (~60km east) before you head out, don't count on finding a pump in Cadomin. Bring all your water; there are creek crossings on trail but treat anything you pull from them, and with no cell service out here, carry a satellite communicator as your only emergency line.
Trail track
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