McKirdy Lake Trail
Description:
This steep trail was built in 1961 by Walt McKirdy and the late Doug McKirdy. It was the second trail to access the alpine area around McKirdy Mountain, the first being the South Ridge Trail in the 1920's or 30's. The McKirdy Lake Trail branches off the Selwyn Traverse just northwest of McKirdy Creek and climbs the ridge NW of McKirdy Creek to a small lake in subalpine meadows at 6200 feet, the first water encountered on the climb. From the lake, you can descend the way you came, continue to the true alpine or do various loop hikes. If you wish to continue past the lake, walk northeast from the lake across a relatively flat subalpine meadow, following a small ditch that supplies the lake with part of its water. Opposite a private lodge on the hillside above the meadow, you may either turn left toward the building and continue up the trail and across a rockslide to the alpine, or turn right and descend the west branch of the McKirdy Creek Trail. The latter joins the Selwyn Traverse about 1 km. southeast of the McKirdy Lake Trail. Or for a somewhat longer branch, head to the alpine as described and when ready to descend, look for the McKirdy Creek Trail's east branch which arrives at the alpine within a few metres of the west branch but in the opposite direction on the hillside. This can be descended as for the West Branch. Or route-find your way in the alpine to the top of the Five Mile (McKirdy Meadows) trail and use that trail for the descent. This will return you to your car on the Swift Mountain forest road at the northwest end of the Selwyn Traverse. To find the top of the Five Mile trail for the descent, travel northwest along the left edge of the meadow above the lake until you see the trail becoming more and more evident near the northwest corner of the meadow. The trail becomes very evident, at least in summer, at the turnoff to the Y.O.R.A. Swift Creek (McKirdy) cabin. A
sign here points to the cabin. Your route down the mountain can be determined by observing which way people would be coming FROM when they encounter the hiking sign.For strong hikers, it is possible to walk the skyline all the way to the main peak of McKirdy Mountain off to the southeast. Work your way around to the right of the peak - watch for slippery mud and small snow cornices here early in the season - and arrive at the face which is oriented toward the Canoe River and some farm fields below. The peak may be climbed from here, or the Summit Trail may be used for descent. To find the Summit Trail, head west from the peak across a smooth, rounded alpine dome just above timberline. Follow the ridge down from the alpine with McKirdy Creek valley always just to your right. The trail will be encountered in or near a low saddle in the ridge; it heads down into McKirdy Creek's drainage basin from the saddle, joining the McKirdy Creek Trail. From the foot of this trail you will have to retrace your steps along the Selwyn Traverse to your car - making it a long day indeed.
Getting There:
See the description under "Getting There (North End)" for the Selwyn Traverse. There are also several intermediate access points off the Selwyn Traverse, but these are for emergency use only as they cross private property. Many of them tend to dump you into someone's back yard where you are likely to be barked at by dogs who would like you to return all the way to the top of the mountain very fast.
Hiking Time:
Allow 4 to 6 hours return to the lake, 5 to 7 hours return to McKirdy Meadows, and 8 to 12 hours for the sheep trail/summit ridge/summit trail loop. Add 1 to 1 1/2 hours one way along the Selwyn Traverse from Swift Mountain Forest Road to McKirdy Creek.