A sustained steep climb above Highway 97 reaches alpine ridges, lakes and several different summit objectives. The first high point, lake basin and main Mount Murray summit must be treated as distinct outings.
Sources reviewed . This is a research date, not a trail inspection.
Mapped portion · walking direction unconfirmed · 3.03 km
This chart covers only part of the route. It does not establish the full hike or a return journey.
3.03 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/1416416043. Sampled and rounded for display.
AllTrails describes an approximately 8 km return. Our mountain guide includes different alpine destinations; establish the intended turnaround before comparing distances.
Route comparison checked 2026-10-18. AllTrails maintains this separate map.https://www.alltrails.com/trail/canada/british-columbia/mount-murray-trail
Mapped named trail. Only the 3.03 km named mountain approach is mapped. It does not establish the complete 12 km outing, summit choices or lake detours. Line source (opens original source).
From Prince George the published approach is approximately 207 km north on Highway 97. One guide describes parking on a dirt spur about 300 m beyond the trailhead where the highway bends left, then walking back. From Chetwynd, the club locates a pullout about 95.3 km toward Prince George, 13.4 km beyond the Powder King turn. Locate the small trail sign across the highway before committing to a parking spot. Keep entirely clear of traffic and use only a lawful current crossing of the railway corridor encountered soon after the start; do not walk along the tracks.
Map position: 55.44776, -122.72374 · start point of published trip track (parking unverified). Embedded trip-map feature 'Track (2023-08-10, 9:10:08AM)': first recorded coordinate [-122.723741, 55.447755]. Point extracted from the original public trip map. A track start is evidence of where recording began, not certification of parking, legal access, road suitability or the complete route.
Climb the northeast highway embankment into the forest. The published approach crosses railway tracks after about 100 m; confirm lawful and safe access before using that crossing.
Climb the steep initial switchbacks, then continue through timber past a lookout about 2 km from the start.
At the alpine, choose your objective. The ridge leads to the first summit; the lake and main Mount Murray summit use an eastward contour to a col. Those extensions are not interchangeable.
The historical description climbs the highway bank into the forest, reaches the railway corridor after about 100 m, then uses steep switchbacks before settling into a sustained wooded ascent. A lookout is described roughly 2 km up, with open alpine around 1,500 m elevation. Above the cleared trail, one option continues up the ridge to the first 1,722 m summit. A different option contours east for approximately 1.4 km to a col and descends toward the larger lake; the main 1,825 m Mount Murray summit is reached from that same col by continuing uphill. Only partial cairn and ribbon marking is described above treeline. Choose the objective in advance, keep its metric scope separate and retrace the approach if mist or snow obscures the return route.
Return through the same forest entrance and descend to the highway start. Wet slopes are slippery; low cloud makes identifying the alpine return line difficult.
Terrain: alpine.
12 km
1040 m
Source comparison: Ramblers overall itinerary; 12 km; 1040 m ascent; 6–8 hours duration; return; exact alpine option unclear scope. A source edition, network range or unresolved start/endpoint is not a separate route.
Source comparison: Chetwynd Outdoors summit itinerary; 8.5 km; 1070 m ascent; 8 hours duration; return scope. A source edition, network range or unresolved start/endpoint is not a separate route.
Wet conditions can make the steep forest route slippery. Snow may remain above treeline, and low cloud can obscure the branching alpine options. No separate verified winter approach is established here.
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.
The older route guide identifies a campsite by the larger lake reached from the eastern col. That is a historical suitable-site observation, not confirmation of current designated facilities, water treatment or camping authorization; check BC Parks rules and conditions before an overnight trip.
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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.
These contributor-mapped features support the map geometry. They are separate from the written access and route sources.
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