Mount St. Benedict

Mount St. Benedict in Mission is one of those Fraser Valley hikes that flies under the radar but leaves you cooked in the legs and happy you showed up. The route is listed at 10.8 km out-and-back with about 1000 m of gain, but most hikers are tracking closer to 13 km, so plan for a solid day. It’s a true grind, rated difficult, with a mix of logging road, forest, lake, and a steep alpine push to around 1277 m.

The first stretch up the Murdo FSR is a bit of a slog and can feel boring, but once you hit the actual Mount St. Benedict trail the character changes fast. You climb through forest to calm, pretty McKay Lake, then the grade ramps up sharply toward the summit, weaving through stunted hemlock, heather, wildflowers, and later in summer, loads of blueberry bushes. On a clear day you get big views over Stave Lake, Mount Robie Reid, and the surrounding ranges, with a real high-country feel despite the relatively modest elevation.

Right now, expect an overgrown, rugged trail with sections of bushwhacking, bugs, and a few downed trees, but generally easy enough to follow if you keep an eye on markers and your GPS. Distance and effort are often underestimated, so bring extra water, poles, and give yourself more time than the “average” 5.5 hours. A high-clearance 4x4 is strongly recommended to reach the upper trailhead; otherwise you’re adding a steep road march. Snow typically lingers from about 800 m into late spring, when spikes or even snowshoes can be needed, while July to September usually offers dry trail, better views, ripe berries, and a more straightforward trip.