Atv trails

horse_men · #1 03-28-2018, 09:13 PM

Anyone here do the iron horse trail from smoky lake? what’s it like? Is it a fairly easy ride?

Any other decent trails within a few hours of Edmonton that offer a good ride without mud up to the handle bars?
Looking for a few different weekend camp out trips for this summer.
Thanks

Sorry, I meant to post this in general.. if any mods see this feel free to move it.

Talking moose · #2 03-28-2018, 09:59 PM

I’ve done the iron horse trail. It is a very easy ride, it’s an old train track so you can imagine the slow corners and non existent inclines. But there is some sand dunes to play in past smoky and some hills along the river by lindburg and elk point. The train tressel burnt a few years ago on the cold lake leg but it’s fixed now. I would do it again. Some real nice scenery.

Talking moose · #3 03-28-2018, 10:01 PM

All the towns along the way are quad friendly and allow quads to drive in town to get fuel, eat or to hotels.

horse_men · #4 03-29-2018, 12:50 AM

Great, thanks

Did you do the entire trail? How long did you take? Did you camp or hotel it?
Appreciate the info.
Thanks

58thecat · #5 03-29-2018, 05:50 AM

That would be an adventure for sure, let us know how it went, our part around here, cold lake area is nice, easy trails, trestle is really nice, makes for great pics.

image.jpg

nast70 · #6 03-29-2018, 09:03 AM

Iron Horse is a pretty dusty ride when it's dry. Have good goggles.

Easy rides around Edmonton would include Bruderheim (mud holes to play in if you choose), Two Hills Trails, stay on the upper trails near the beginning. If the gates are open you can explore the grazing reserve, lots of cabins and views of the river along the route. A bit farther out would be Long Island Lake trails. These are sled trails, so in some areas north of the highway they go over long stretches of muskeg. The South loops are usually quite dry, including a nice sand hill. Again, lots of cabins along the route.

Drewski Canuck · #7 03-29-2018, 09:24 AM

Go north of Athabasca on 813 approximately 30 km to SAWDY ROAD. Turn left and follow the signs to the trail head. Great parking lot.

This is part of the Trans Canada Trail, and is the Peace River Trail section. It is about 60 km and ends up near Moose Portage Road by Fawcett Lake.

You are following a well developed trail with some cook shacks and out houses and picnic tables along the way. trail has a number of Bridges, so most UTV's will have trouble as it is about 6 foot wide at the control gates. A number of spots are close to the Athabasca River and you can go out on the banks.

Lots of great look out points on the Athabasca river breaks.

There are a lot of side trails that are developed. Have not run most of the side trails. Some come out on the Alpac 1000's road near Calling Lake.

Some steep hills through the ravines, so avoid in the rain as grades are longer.

Drewski

Talking moose · #8 03-29-2018, 09:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by horse_men

Great, thanks

Did you do the entire trail? How long did you take? Did you camp or hotel it?
Appreciate the info.
Thanks

Yes did the entire trail. Stayed in a hotel but there is plenty of places to tent. If you really wanted to, you can go from one end of the trail to the other end in about 4 hours.(about 200 km). We got a room in elk point.

Talking moose · #9 03-29-2018, 09:42 AM

Porkys in ashmont is a pretty cool place for a beer and some grub.

horse_men · #10 03-29-2018, 01:01 PM

That’s awesome.

thanks for the info everyone. Keep the suggestions coming.

I appreciate the directions to trail heads, that helps a lot as I don’t know where some of these trails start.

Thanks

Blastoff · #11 03-29-2018, 01:12 PM

just google the iron horse trail, it will likely show you where you can camp. I would make it an overnighter or maybe a couple nights.

Drewski Canuck · #12 03-31-2018, 09:11 AM

These guys have created a trail network north and south of town. South goes up to the Edson area, though I have not done that trail. Basically comes out around Silver Summit.

Have been on the trails north of the river. Great lookout from the River breaks looking across at Whitecourt. Big trip to get to that one. But there is a transmission line that runs across to Carson Lake area from there.

Drewski

horse_men · #13 05-02-2018, 01:47 PM

Has anyone done the trails around the Brazeau dam? Is there random camping allowed there or do you have to stay in the designated campsites?

Thanks

Red Bullets · #14 05-02-2018, 05:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by horse_men

Has anyone done the trails around the Brazeau dam? Is there random camping allowed there or do you have to stay in the designated campsites?

Thanks

You can random camp in the area. Not sure about the trails but it is a big territory. The roads can be really mucky when they get wet. Could be fire bans on already too.

fatboyz · #15 05-02-2018, 06:06 PM

Trails are crap at the Brazeau. Wait until the trails open on July 1 at the Bighorn dam west of Nordegg and give them a go. Great trails maintained by Bighorn Heritage ATV club and fantastic views!!

horse_men · #16 05-02-2018, 08:07 PM

Thanks guys, appreciate the info.

Any further info would be appreciated.

58thecat · #17 05-03-2018, 05:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Talking moose

Porkys in ashmont is a pretty cool place for a beer and some grub.

Heard the place burnt to the ground....but are rebuilding....was a beauty spot to go for a ride to.

WheelNdeal · #18 07-20-2018, 11:07 AM

I am new to Alberta and haven't seen the trails anywhere. I want to do some riding from Rocky Mountain House to Caroline and also to Nordegg.
I want to buy a 72" wide sxs. will that fit in these trails.

Also open to suggestions for places to go riding within 30 min to 45 min away from Rocky

Thx for your input guys

Smokinyotes · #19 07-20-2018, 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by horse_men

Has anyone done the trails around the Brazeau dam? Is there random camping allowed there or do you have to stay in the designated campsites?

Thanks

I would avoid the brazeau. Theft and robbery is unbelievable in the area.

sunnyvalesmostwanted · #20 07-29-2018, 08:28 PM

We just got a cpl quads this year.....have only done day trips to bruderheim and redwater so far.

I would love to hear some suggestions for places to camp & go quadding real close nearby - preferably somewhre within two hours from edmonton

We have a holiday trailer - so prefer not to random camp - looking for a campground
thanks

Talking moose · #21 07-29-2018, 08:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sunnyvalesmostwanted

We just got a cpl quads this year.....have only done day trips to bruderheim and redwater so far.

I would love to hear some suggestions for places to camp & go quadding real close nearby - preferably somewhre within two hours from edmonton

We have a holiday trailer - so prefer not to random camp - looking for a campground

thanks

Outwest campground. Ride from your campsite to trails. Even has a quad wash

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

sunnyvalesmostwanted · #22 07-30-2018, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Talking moose

Outwest campground. Ride from your campsite to trails. Even has a quad wash

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

WOW.....thats a sweet little spot!!!!

GENINC · #23 07-30-2018, 05:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WheelNdeal

I am new to Alberta and haven't seen the trails anywhere. I want to do some riding from Rocky Mountain House to Caroline and also to Nordegg.
I want to buy a 72" wide sxs. will that fit in these trails.

Also open to suggestions for places to go riding within 30 min to 45 min away from Rocky

Thx for your input guys

I assume you ride an X3? We have a couple in our group. I can let you know where to ride if interested.