Forestry Trunk Road — Hwy 734 Elk River to Coalspur Ghost Town (Alberta)
Coal ghosts and muddy river crossings.
The Coal Branch country northwest of Nordegg doesn’t get the Instagram attention it deserves, and that’s exactly why it’s worth driving. This section of Hwy 734 follows the Pembina River drainage past the Elk River crossing — a wide, gravel-bed ford that’ll test your confidence in spring runoff — before climbing into the cut-block foothills toward Coalspur. The ghost town itself is a scattering of concrete foundations, rusted cable drums, and collapsed tipple supports dating to the early 1900s coal boom. You’ll find it tucked into the treeline north of the highway near Sterco, and it’s the kind of place where you park and walk slow. Expect at least two muddy low spots between the Pembina junction and the ruins that can swallow a stock truck to the axles in May.
This is a high-clearance 4WD route, full stop. Lockers are useful in wet conditions but not mandatory if you know your lines. The road surface is gravel and dirt with embedded mud sections — plan for Moderate difficulty but be ready for Difficult conditions after rain. Best run July through September when the Elk River ford is manageable. No permits required. Fuel in Edson before you leave; there’s nothing out here. Cell service vanishes past the Pembina junction. Dispersed camping is legal on Crown land throughout the corridor.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | High Clearance, Overland Route |
| Surface | Dirt, Gravel, Mixed |
| Features | Camping, Historic, Remote, Water Crossings |
| Length (miles) | 38 mi / 61.2 km |
| Duration | 1-2 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 4100 ft |
| Best season | July-September |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 4WD |
| Nearest town | Edson, 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 need a lift?
A stock high-clearance 4WD like a Tacoma or 4Runner handles this fine under normal conditions. After rain, the cutlines get greasy and rutted — low-range and all-terrain tires matter more than lift height here.
When does Hwy 734 typically become passable and when does it close down for the year?
July through September is the reliable window. Spring runoff keeps the Elk River crossing sketchy into June, and early snowfall can shut the route down by October. Check Alberta Environment conditions before you go — this section of the Forestry Trunk Road is not maintained to a standard that forgives bad timing.
Do I need a permit to drive this route or camp along it?
No permit required to drive Hwy 734. Dispersed camping on the Forestry Trunk Road corridor is allowed under Alberta public land rules at no cost — just stay off private and posted restricted land, and follow provincial fire restrictions, which change seasonally.
How serious is the Elk River ford at the start, and what happens if water levels are up?
The Elk River crossing is the crux — it's a wide, rocky ford that can hit 24 inches or more during high runoff. If it looks fast and brown, turn around; there's no alternate crossing nearby and the bottom is uneven. Mid-summer in a dry year it's straightforward, but always walk it before you drive it.
How far is the nearest gas from the trailhead, and is there any cell service on the route?
Edson is your last reliable fuel stop, roughly 40–50 km from the Elk River trailhead — fill up there. There is zero cell service for the entire 61 km route, so download offline maps and file a trip plan with someone before you leave.
Trail track
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