McKee Peak from Lower Sumas Mountain Park

McKee Peak from Lower Sumas Mountain Park is a classic Abbotsford grind with a bit of everything: forest, rock features, sneaky viewpoints, and a maze of side trails to keep you on your toes. The 7.4 km loop with about 386 m of gain is rated moderate, and that feels accurate if you’re used to local Fraser Valley hikes. Expect around two and a half hours of steady moving, more if you like to poke around at all the little side nooks and viewpoints.

The loop climbs quickly from the quiet neighborhood access into a dense network of mountain bike and hiking trails, with names like Accelerator, Hidden Valley, Mixed Bag, and Flintstone popping up on your map. You’ll weave past cool rock formations, little caves and dens, footbridges, and small waterfalls, with a few short, steep pitches that wake up the legs. Views from McKee Peak itself are limited to benches and a fence, but along the way you’ll hit clearings and lookouts over Abbotsford, Sumas flats, and on a clear day, Mount Baker.

Recent hikers report muddy sections in almost every wet season, slippery roots, and the occasional patch of snow higher up in winter, so decent footwear is important. One shortcut off Accelerator is very steep for about 20 feet with poor handholds, so take your time there or avoid it if you’re not confident on dirt. The McKee Peak from Lower Sumas Mountain Park loop is notorious for confusing junctions and overgrown, narrow connectors, especially with leaves on the ground or in low light, so download a GPS map, keep an eye and ear out for fast-moving mountain bikes, and aim for daylight hours; this is not a trail you want to be learning for the first time in the dark and rain.