Brandywine Meadows Hiking Trail near Whistler, BC

Lucy from Vancouver writes:

is this hike possible at this time of year in the snow?

Posted: February 2, 2012 02:05:15 PM PST

Jackie from Vancouver writes:

We made it to the meadows today, but that was after two dead end trails. We parked at 5.2 km after highway then walked, got lost by a huge parking lot and decided to go with the biggest road and went up hills, a wrong choice.Where does the trail begin? We never saw any mark and I think we arrived there on snowmobile trail by accident. The view was gorgeous and a fresh bear poo right beside where we parked.

Posted: September 19, 2011 09:14:24 PM PST

Jackie from Vancouver writes:

Thank you, Adrian:
We do have a almost new Mazda-should have listened to my husband and got a Subaru, but now we are all set with Mazda. Anyway, we will drive as far as possible then hopefully we can walk the rest to the trail, or we will return and go to plan B hiking trail instead.
I will definitely let you know whether we make it or not, good luck to us.

Thanks again
Jackie

Posted: September 9, 2011 02:53:28 PM PST

Adrian from North Vancouver writes:

Hiked this route for the first time Sept 8th.

In answer to Jackies question below, I personally would not take a 2WD on the access road. I have a 4WD Nissan Murano which coped OK but from about 1km after the snowmobile place the road becomes very rutted, full of rocks etc. You have to drive very slowly to drive over the bumps and ruts so you don't damage your car, or where there's space drive around them. All of this would be possible in a 2WD but the two sections of steep slope you still have to drive very slowly on for the same reason and then getting traction on the loose gravel could be difficult.

I would not take a good 2WD car on this road for fear of damaging it, if you have an old car with little value you could give it a go ! Coming down will be fine, I don't see why coming down the steep slopes is any different in a 2WD or 4WD.

In terms of access, well signed first 1km or so off Highway, then you pass the snowmobile place and no more signs. The advice below to 'just go straight to the end' is absolutely correct. There are a few forks in the track but just keep taking the most direct straight ahead route and you will eventually (about 20 mins of this gravel road) reach the parking lot.

Trail itself was quite brutal to begin with but well enough marked. Still muddy in places and lots of bugs.

Views at the top are unbelieveable and make all of the above worthwhile. Gorgeous views in a tranquil alpine meadow setting. Didn't want to leave. Very quiet trail, I think I was the only one who walked it the whole day.

Let us know how you get on Jackie, get up there while the weathers beautiful.

Posted: September 9, 2011 08:42:46 AM PST

Jackie from Vancouver writes:

We only have a two wheel drive car, can we still go to Brandwine Meadows? Any advice will be appreciated.

Thanks
Jackie

Posted: September 5, 2011 11:35:30 AM PST

Dragos and Bianca from North Vancouver writes:

We went yesterday there and we wanted to share with you our experience getting to the trail head because it was kind of confusing for us before.
From Vancouver take HWY 99 and make a left to "Callaghan Valley/Olympic Village"
sign.
Take first left at the ATV sign, go onto the gravel road and keep this road until the end. That's it.
There are almost 8 km until the trail head and there are some kind of marks on the road ( 4km, 6km). Somewhere after the 6 km it gets difficult for a 2WD to continue especially the last hill. We have a 4X4 and it was challenging on our way back to descent it.
Otherwise, the trail is steep but nice, lots of bugs and mud but the view when you get there makes you forget all that.

Posted: August 29, 2011 03:02:15 PM PST

JKON from Vancouver (formerly Toronto) writes:

A group and I just finished the hike today. It was a lot of fun except for:
1) the bugs
2) the lack of trail to walk on... mostly mud and branches/shrubs all over the place

Otherwise, the whole hike was beautiful. Getting to the meadows is definitely worth the first two "un-fun" points...I loved the serenity of the area. just river, glacier, trees and rock (lots of mountains surrounding).

Incredible hike all around!! However, I would wait till bugs die down a bit before trying it again!

Posted: August 28, 2011 11:29:46 PM PST

Matt & Olivia from Ohio writes:

We just returned from our hike to Brandywine Meadow (Aug 9, 2011) and while the hike was well worth the effort, we were frustrated with finding the trailhead. After alot of searching, consultation of 3 different map sources, and a bit of luck, we discovered that the correct road to turn off of 99 is actually the one labeled "Callaghan Valley/Olympic Village". Coming from Squamish, this road is actually .8k before the "Callaghan Creek" road. Once you are on this road, the directions given on this website work pretty well. Although be advised that it is quite a long drive past the snowmobile area, a total of 7.8 kilometers after leaving 99. A small car will have trouble making it up the last incline before the parking lot. Good Luck! The meadow is still snow-covered at this point and the climb at times treacherous but we found it a delightful adventure.

Posted: August 9, 2011 05:37:40 PM PST

Julie from North Vancouver writes:

We hiked into Brandywine meadows a few days ago. There is still about 4 or 5 feet of snow covering the meadows. The bug situation was terrible below the snow line. The snow starts about 15 min before reaching the meadows. Would suggest waiting a couple of more weeks in hopes of a dryer trail with fewer bugs!

Posted: July 29, 2011 01:43:40 AM PST

Kelly from Vancouver writes:

A group of us wanted to visit Brandwine Meadows again (we did it two years ago at the end of August and it was fantastic). Does anyone know if there is still snow on the trail??

Posted: July 13, 2011 04:38:11 PM PST

Artem from Burnaby writes:

Just came from this trail - it was very difficult to find this trail. I still think that we're was in a little bit wrong spot.

Right now Brandywine Meadows entrance is open. And from HWY99 make left on "Brandywine Meadows" and "Olimpic Vilage" turn. After that make left where ATM rent sign is. In few km you will be on a big parking lot... There you can see ATM trail which is going up - we're were there and was very enjoy this!

It's very beautiful up there!

Posted: July 10, 2011 06:38:24 PM PST

Julian from Austin writes:

So I am going up to whistler in a few days and I am already planning to hike wedgemount and joffre lakes, but do you think Brandywine meadows hike should be included on my itinerary?

Posted: June 23, 2011 08:32:39 PM PST

Kevin from Vancouver writes:

Just came back from the Summit of Brandywine Mountain. Lots of snow on the trail so make sure you have an ice axe to get through the steep sections.
Brought the split board and toured from the Meadows. Great corn snow for riding but plenty of recent avalanche debris deposited in the bowls from the slow melt this spring.
Road is the same as always but still has sections with piles of snow. Make sure to bring a spare tire, I have blown tires on this road before as well as a power steering pump. Drive slow and be cautious of the final hill on the road it is very steep and rocky. Be prepared to see Bears and enjoy beautiful Brandywine.

Posted: June 22, 2011 08:21:58 AM PST

JP from Vancouver writes:

Does anybody know where i could find baby freindly hikes around the lowermainland.
Im looking for any trails that a jogging type of stroller could pass through.

Posted: January 1, 2011 01:15:57 PM PST

Mike from Burnaby writes:

I haven't been up there this year but it is pretty rough for a car, especially after some heavy rainfalls the past couple of weeks that have probably made huge puddle holes on the road.

Also, you might want to check the insurance on rental cars. As far as I know, a lot of rentals don't include coverage on Forestry Service Roads (FSRs) nor do services like BCAA cover such remote roads.

Posted: September 21, 2010 08:46:14 AM PST

Stephen from New York writes:

Hi all,

We are planning to add this hike to our itinerary while hiking in the region for an upcoming vacation. I'm a bit concerned that our basic rental car will not be able to make it to the trailhead. Has anyone tried taking a small 2-wheel drive car?

Thanks!

Posted: September 21, 2010 07:35:15 AM PST

Eric from Daytona Beach, FL writes:

On August 15, it was warm, we started late and there were a lot of flies and mosquitos, quite a lot of mud, but a very nice, challenging hike. It was well worth it. I don't see anyone patrolling the trailhead but a guy in the meadows just behind us when we got there claimed to drive almost up to the meadows on another road from the one we and the other vehicles parked at. I would have to look into this other road when planning to climb around the peaks.

Posted: August 22, 2010 05:41:40 PM PST

D-Rod from Van writes:

I'm thinking of heading up in a couple weeks on a Friday to camp in the meadows, but I don't think my group will be able to get out of the city in time to make it up before dark. Does anyone know if we'd be able to camp at the parking lot at trailhead? Does anyone patrol this spot or are there gates that get closed?

Posted: August 10, 2010 06:14:08 PM PST

LJC from North Vancouver writes:

Went up on August 1st 2010 - the snow in the meadows was all gone. Trail still very muddy in patches but not too many bugs. We followed the directions to the trail head provided on this website - the ones in my hiking books were all incorrect/outdated. Only one minor correction - where it talks about going past a view of Whistler then up a final steep section, you actually have to keep going quite a distance through a few steep sections, if your vehicle will allow it. Just follow the main road and don't turn off until you reach the parking lot, which has a pit toilet and the brown "Brandywine meadows" sign. I have a 4x4 SUV - managed OK but there were some lower/smaller cars at the trail head as well. Took 4 hours round trip with a good break at the top for lunch.

Posted: August 3, 2010 08:14:25 PM PST

Laura from North Vancouver writes:

Just wanted to clarify that from Highway 99, I turned left up the paved road that goes to Callaghan Valley, took the first left and drove past the transfer station, kept left and entered the snowmobile park clearing. From here, I could not see where to go. Thanks!!

Posted: May 28, 2010 09:31:10 PM PST

Laura from North Vancouver writes:

How do I drive the the trailhead? I tried to find the trailhead in September 2009, but the directions in the Dawn Hannah guidebook are out of date. Can anyone offer directions now that the Olympic Park construction is finished? Thank you!!!!

Posted: May 28, 2010 09:24:37 PM PST

Alice from Vancouver writes:

I was up there yesterday (Aug. 23) and there were hardly any bugs - looks like we missed them. What a wonderful hike!

Posted: August 24, 2009 09:54:10 AM PST

Brian Hampson from Burnaby, BC writes:

Took the 4x4 route in and enjoyed a lovely walk through the meadows on Sunday August 2, 2009. Some knob left a snowmobile up there last winter. I hope they take it out soon before it rusts and becomes an oily blight.

VERY buggy. The deer flies were trying to fly off with bits of us.

A little mud but not much. Seems we missed the prime wildflower time. It must have come early with the hot weather.

Posted: August 5, 2009 12:57:22 PM PST

Ryan from Port Moody writes:

Worth it at the end. The creek through the meadow is gorgeous. Lots of flies everywhere though. Only infrequent breezes would keep them away. Steep but short haul up to the meadow.

I didn't like the lack of established and marked alpine/meadow trails. A number of people walked all over killing the fragile vegetation. The trail is not very well defined at points in the meadow.

To Joel: the no vehicle sign was at a fork, and on the left side. It appears that the sign is with respect to either private property or caretaker property just beyond the left fork. The right fork after the snowmobile parking lot heads up to the trailhead.

Lastly, for directions, callaghan forest service road is not the callaghan creek road. We went up the callaghan forest service road and hit some pretty bad overgrown roads and dead ends before we came back and tried elsewhere. We then turned in where the signs for the whistler waste and garbage facility was. The directions are somewhat misleading since we just went along the highway until we saw a sign with callaghan, but that was the wrong turnoff.

Posted: July 26, 2009 09:12:02 PM PST

Joel from Vancouver writes:

I tried to do this hike about 3 weeks ago. The road up to the parking area has a sign posted "No Vehicle Access past this point". I don't know if this hike is fully accessibile aymore...does anyone have any information on it or has anyone done this hike in 2009?

Posted: July 11, 2009 04:53:56 PM PST

Linda from Burnaby writes:

A very steep hike, but it is well worth it. The meadows with the little streams and the mountains in the background are stunning. We ran into a black bear on the way up. We saw each other and without hesitation he turned around and ran down the hill, across the river and he was gone, leaving me behind with a bouncing heart.

Posted: September 16, 2008 11:55:00 PM PST