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northward.NORTHERN BRITISH COLUMBIA
Hikes · Valemount & Mount Robson · Valemount / Mount Robson

McKirdy Meadows cabin

A forest climb to alpine meadows and a backcountry cabin.

Sources reviewed . This is a research date, not a trail inspection.

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Distance
12 kmRound trip
Elevation gain
500 mPublished route measurement
Walking time
3–4 hours return, as published
Difficulty
HardOut and back with optional meadow loops

Map & elevation

Opening the map…

Partial elevation profile

Mapped portion · walking direction unconfirmed · 6.17 km

This chart covers only part of the route. It does not establish the full hike or a return journey.

Elevation along one mapped source section; direction is not an established walking itinerary1450 m1800 m2150 m0 km1.5 km3.1 km4.6 km6.2 km
Explore the elevation with the chart or slider.
Coverage and elevation sources

6.17 km along source section 1 of 1, in its mapped direction. Approximate 90 m terrain model along this mapped section. Separate sections are not joined. This chart does not measure total trail ascent or establish current access; use the guide’s published outing measurements.

Copernicus GLO-90 terrain elevations via Open-Meteo (CC BY4.0); linework: Open Database License (ODbL) 1.0 · checked 2026-10-18 · CC BY4.0 elevation data; Open Database License (ODbL) 1.0 linework. Copernicus DEM 2021 GLO-90 via Open-Meteo. Linework source: https://www.openstreetmap.org/way/643220902. Sampled and rounded for display.

Mapped named trail. Shows the named meadow approach. It does not establish cabin availability or the higher McKirdy summit extension. Line source (opens original source).

Getting there & parking

Use the small trail parking area near the upper end of 5-Mile Road above Valemount. The local guide says the road is usually passable by ordinary vehicles when dry, but it has grades of roughly 15 percent and can be demanding on the descent. Confirm the road condition and use the signed hiking start; the lower bike-park trailheads on the same road are different destinations.

Estimated drive from Prince George: 4 hr 16 min · 300.3 km. Modeled one-way driving time from Prince George City Hall, using mapped road speeds. Forest-road sections can take substantially longer: surface, clearance, radio procedures, gates, washouts, plowing, and legal access are not verified by the router. No live traffic or invented forest-road multiplier is included. Allow extra time and check the dated access notes.

Open driving directions →

Map position: 52.84883, -119.21828 · trailhead. source-published; not field-verified

On the trail

Climb the McKirdy trail through mixed forest, passing openings toward Valemount and Kinbasket Lake. Near the subalpine, follow the signs distinguishing the meadow route from the YORA cabin. The main trail crosses the meadow to a further junction with several possible extensions. For the cabin outing, take the signed cabin branch and return to the main approach, rather than continuing to the higher ridge or dropping toward Carson’s Peak. The guide gives about 12 km return and 500 m of gain for the cabin destination. The creek beside the cabin is the only water source identified by the local guide.

Terrain: alpine.

Conditions & seasons

Summer and autumn are the normal hiking seasons. The cabin is also used for backcountry skiing, but winter road access and avalanche terrain require a separate plan. Mosquitoes and alpine flies can be persistent from late spring into summer.

These are dated research notes. Open the trip planner for current available weather and advisory feeds; no alert found does not establish that a trail or road is open.

Check weather & available updates →

Camping & overnight plans

Staying at McKirdy / YORA Cabin

Overnight access needs checking

The operator describes an overnight cabin, but a current reservation procedure and capacity were not verified. Confirm arrangements before relying on a stay. The creek near the cabin is the water source identified by the guide.

Cabin sources · checked 2026-10-19

The YORA cabin is an overnight facility and has an outhouse nearby. Confirm booking and access arrangements with the operator before relying on it. The nearby creek is the only published water source; treat water and do not assume every meadow or ridge branch has a suitable tent site.

Photos of McKirdy Meadows cabin

A photograph with confirmed reuse permission has not yet been added to this guide.

Original photo galleries

These galleries stay on their photographers’ original websites.

Take this guide with you

Choose a trip pack or an available individual sheet for your map case.

Full trip packDirections, planning notes & available mapsTopographic mapSource lines and published locationsPartial elevation sheetMapped portion only; not a complete outingSave offline guideDownload a copy to your device
Sources, dates & research notes

Descriptions are written for this guide from the linked evidence. Source review dates, published reports and field observations can differ. Photographs and route lines retain their own attribution and reuse terms.

  1. https://hikevalemount.com/mckirdy-cabin-meadows-ridge/ (opens original source)
  2. https://routing.openstreetmap.de/about.html (opens original source)
OpenStreetMap line references (2)

These contributor-mapped features support the map geometry. They are separate from the written access and route sources.

  1. https://www.openstreetmap.org/way/643220902 (opens original source)
  2. https://www.openstreetmap.org/way/1562665067 (opens original source)

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