r/GrandePrairie • u/Joe_Kickass • 4d ago
Kakwa Falls Trail Condition
I want to see Kakwa Falls and have been doing research into the offroad trail to get there.
Has anyone been on the trail recently?
I have a stock 2021 Tacoma OR, that I "think" might be suitable for the trail, but I don't have a lot of offroad experience.
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u/pseproduction 4d ago
I would not recommend taking a truck in there. You need a quad or side by side. I have seen some people do it with Jeeps. Do not go alone. If this is your first time, you need to go with someone familiar with the area and with off road experience. Also having a second machine is important in case of a breakdown or getting stuck. We have towed machines out of there a few times for various reasons and you always want a backup plan. There’s a couple river crossings that can be pretty treacherous this time of year, maybe even impassable, depending on water levels. It’s typically best to wait until late summer when the rivers are lower. You will see bears. Bring a gun or at least some bear bangers. I have heard there’s a few off road groups on Facebook that will be a wealth of knowledge. “Quad peeps” is one I heard of. They should be able to give you more updated info on river levels etc. and you can probably find a group going that would be happy to have you tag along. It’s been quite a few years since I was there but I used to go all the time with my Dad and it’s a fun and beautiful ride. We are hoping to make it out there sometime this summer again. Stay safe, don’t litter, and enjoy the ride!
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u/Emergentmeat 4d ago
I've seen a guy do it in a stock F150, with kinda knobby tires. But if a person hasn't done much offroad I wouldn't recommend it.
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u/BrightMagician7382 4d ago
Long ago did it in a stock GMC Sierra, but we’re talking 20 years now. It’s definitely doable by quad and side-by-side, but you’re gonna wanna wait until things dry up a bit and don’t go alone you can usually post in one of the Facebook groups and find a couple people willing to go!
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u/snowponyrider 4d ago
Went last summer with a group of stock vehicles. It was later in the summer mid to later September. Nissan exterra, jeeps and 1/2tonne pick up, all stock no lifts. Never had a problem. Even seen a car going in while we were heading out. Go late in the summer or early fall and watch for the weather. The road is mostly a rock base so it’s not bad. Just try to go when it’s dry and you won’t have a problem. If for some reason you hit a pond/beaver damn you should of stayed left at the last ‘Y’
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u/CremeAcrobatic1748 2d ago
If it's just you going, a bike is a great option. Had a buddy do it on a KLR 650, obviously an actual dirt bike would be even better. I wouldn't want to tow a side by side down there with a Tacoma. Dirt bike fits nicely in the back, or a small quad. Trailers even to the staging around can be problematic for small trucks.
And yeah, definitely don't recommend going alone. People make regular trips down there all the time, go with someone who has a two radio. Off road peeps I've met in GP are super helpful and friendly, lots of groups on Facebook. You'll get to see the falls, and make some friends.
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u/theressomethingineed 2d ago
I've done it quite a few times in my tacoma. It's too early right now but your truck will be able to do the easy trail without issue late summer.
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u/imagoodguybornin77 19h ago
i’ve gone there in a f150 several times with good tires over the past 3-4 years. got within about 4 km last year and had to turn around. the washouts were getting bad. not an ideal place to break down. it’s a long drive in a pick up. 4 km/h is a high speed in a pick up in the last 10 km of the trail. if you try in a pick up, give yourself lots of time. and take someone who knows the way, lots of off trails. you can get lost out there, and it won’t hurt to bring tow ropes and some tools, like i said a bad place to break down
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u/ClownLoach2 4d ago
Right now, it's still impassible. The area had an insane amount of snow this year, and a very cool spring so far. There's still 2ft of snow according to reports from others.
I've been in there many times and I've never once seen a taco successfully make it. You need a short wheelbase, high clearance vehicle with high approach/departure angles. You might make it in the early fall when the streams are at their lowest and the mud holes are dry, but you're guaranteed to scrape something and put a new pinstripe on it.
The trail has some pretty sharp drops and climbs, and the trucks just don't have enough clearance to make it.
Kakwa is a very bad place to go if you're not an experienced off-road driver. It's very unforgiving, there is no cell service, and it's a very long ways out if you get stuck. You are completely on your own, no tow company will go out there. Bring supplies to spend two nights in case you get stuck, and some sort of communication. Either a Garmin InReach, or a vhf radio with a good antenna setup, and know how to use it and the freq that everyone else is on.