Fort Liard to Kotaneelee River Road — Pointed Mountain Backcountry
Three territories meet. No one's checking on you out here.
Pointed Mountain sits at the trijunction of Northwest Territories, Yukon, and British Columbia — one of the more obscure corners of Canada, accessible via an old gas field service road that branches southwest from Fort Liard. The Kotaneelee River drainage is dramatic country: the Liard Range rises sharply to the west, the forest is dense Boreal and sub-alpine, and wildlife traffic on the road (black bears, wood bison, moose) is constant enough that you’ll slow down for animals more than for the road condition. The route follows the original gas field access corridor built in the 1970s, and maintenance has been irregular at best since production wound down.
Call this a Difficult run that can slide into Expert territory after rain — clay-heavy sections become axle-deep grease when wet. A locker front and rear, high clearance, and winch are the practical minimum if you’re pushing to the Kotaneelee River crossing. The nearest fuel and services are in Fort Liard, roughly 60–80 kilometres back depending on your turnoff point. No cell service, no rescue infrastructure. Best window is July to early September; snowfall at elevation can arrive by mid-September. You get genuine wilderness, virtually no other traffic, and one of the most overlooked tripoint approaches in the country.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Difficult |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry, High Clearance, Technical 4x4 |
| Surface | Dirt, Gravel, Mixed |
| Features | Camping, Historic, Remote, Scenic, Water Crossings |
| Length (miles) | 56 mi / 90 km |
| Duration | 1-2 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 4100 ft |
| Best season | July-September |
| Minimum vehicle | Locked 4WD with winch and high clearance |
| Nearest town | Fort Liard, NT |
| Land manager | Government of Northwest Territories — Lands |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| 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 lifted 4Runner or stock Tacoma run this trail?
A stock Tacoma won't cut it here. You need a locked 4WD rig with genuine high clearance and a winch — this isn't a trail you recover easily from without one. A lifted, locker-equipped 4Runner has a fighting chance, but solo runs without a winch are a bad idea this deep in.
When does this road actually become passable, and can you run it after September?
July through September is the reliable window. Spring breakup turns the dirt and gravel sections into soup well into June, and by October early snowfall and freezing temps can make the trail genuinely dangerous. Don't push the shoulder seasons without local intel from Fort Liard.
Do you need a permit or any authorization to drive into the Kotaneelee area?
This is Government of Northwest Territories — Lands managed territory tied to a resource road corridor. No recreational permit is currently required, but access conditions and any industrial traffic restrictions can change — check with the GNWT Lands office before you leave Fort Liard. The gas field infrastructure means occasional industrial use on the same road.
What's the hardest section and what actually makes it technical?
The deeper you push toward the Kotaneelee River end, the worse it gets — expect rutted, soft sections with no room for error and water crossings that vary wildly depending on recent rain. The combination of remoteness, zero cell service, and trail conditions that can change overnight is what earns the 'difficult' rating, not just one gnarly obstacle.
Is there anywhere to fuel up between Fort Liard and the trail, and how much range do you need?
Fort Liard is your last fuel stop — full stop. The round trip is 112 miles (180 km) of hard, slow driving that will burn fuel faster than highway speeds. Plan for significantly more than your normal consumption and carry extra jerry cans; there is nothing out there.
Trail track
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