Pine Pass, Chetwynd & Peace / Full trip pack
Mount Murray (Pine Pass)
- Published distance
- 12 km Trip basis unconfirmed
- Elevation gain
- Not established The source lists 1040 m, but its relationship to a complete selected outing is not established.
- Walking time
- 6–8 hours published outing scope unspecified
- Difficulty
- Hard out-and-back
Published length; trip scope not stated
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.
1. Getting there and parking
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.
Parking: The club identifies a dirt-road pull-off about 300 m beyond the trailhead on Highway 97. The approach includes walking back beside the highway.
2. Walking the route
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.
- 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 return
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.
3. Route map
Mapped named trail
© OpenStreetMap contributors. Route geometry is available under the Open Database License (ODbL) 1.0. · Line source · Open Database License (ODbL) 1.0 · Source-line database: https://hikingprincegeorge.com/data/osm-route-lines.geojson
Partial elevation profile
Partial elevation profile
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
Copernicus DEM 2021 GLO-90 via Open-Meteo. Linework source: https://www.openstreetmap.org/way/1416416043. Sampled and rounded for display.
Source: https://open-meteo.com/en/licence
Licence: CC BY4.0 elevation data; Open Database License (ODbL) 1.0 linework · https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Profile source checked: 2026-10-18
Published locations
Numbered points match the map. Use the role beside each point. A summit or park reference point is not a parking location.
| Place and role | Coordinates | Source and notes |
|---|---|---|
| Mount Murray (Pine Pass) start point of published trip track (parking unverified) | 55.447755 -122.723741 | 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. Source date: 2023 https://hiking.princegeorge.tech/murray-mt-in-the-pine-pass-in-northern-bc/ |
5. Camping, facilities and seasons
Camping and tenting
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.
Season and access
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.
Dogs
The official BC Parks Mount Murray trail map (2024) marks this route No Dogs. The general park page has broader leash wording; use the route-specific restriction and check current park notices before bringing a dog.
Practical details checked 2026-10-17.
Measurement notes
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.
More maps & trail files
Mount Murray outing on AllTrails
AllTrails describes an approximately 8 km return. Our mountain guide includes different alpine destinations; establish the intended turnaround before comparing distances.
AllTrails: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/canada/british-columbia/mount-murray-trail
Comparison checked 2026-10-18.
These links open files and maps maintained by their publishers. They require an internet connection and are not included in this saved guide.
Additional source maps
Your trip notes
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