Hiking Brandywine Meadows near Whistler
Contents
Brandywine Meadows Hike Information
Difficulty: Moderate (Lower Lot) Very Easy (Upper Lot)
Distance: 11.1km (Lower Lot) 4.75km (Upper Lot)
Elevation Gain: 815m (Lower Lot) 150m (Upper Lot)
Highest Elevation: 1,555m
Average Gradient: 14.68% (Lower Lot) 6.31% (Upper Lot)
Effort/Reward Ratio: Moderate / Moderate
Time Needed:
– Slow: 5 – 6 Hours (Lower Lot) 2 – 3 Hours (Upper Lot)
– Moderate: 4 – 5 Hours (Lower Lot) 1.50 – 2 – Hours (Upper Lot)
– Fast: 3 – 4 Hours (Lower Lot) 1 – 1.50 Hours (Upper Lot)
Dogs Permitted?: Yes
Season: ~July – Mid-October
4×4 / High Clearance Required? No – But it helps make it easier
Scrambling / Exposure: None
Brandywine Meadows Trail (Lower Lot)
Brandywine Meadows Trail (Upper Lot)
Trailhead Coordinates: 50°04’45.4″N 123°11’09.5″W
Note that you cannot direct Google Maps to this trailhead, you need to drive up the Sea to Sky Highway, turn left on Callaghan Road then left again immediately on Brandywine FSR. Follow this road until you see a sign giving directions to the upper and lower parking lot and follow whichever you choose.
Brandywine Meadows Overview
Brandywine Meadows is a gorgeous alpine meadow set beneath Brandywine Mountain near Whistler, British Columbia. This is a popular camping spot in the summer, drawing in many outdoor enthusiasts, particularly when the alpine flowers are in full bloom mid-summer.
While the meadows themselves are stunning and a worthy hike, if you are up for more of a challenge the nearby summit of Brandywine Mountain is even more spectacular and makes for a long and difficult day. Many people choose to camp at the meadows and then summit the mountain the following day before heading out.
There are two trailheads for this hike depending on where you are able to park. The lower parking lot should be accessible for pretty much all vehicles. While the road is a little rough, most 2WD’s should be fine getting to the lower trailhead. Alternatively, and preferably, if you have a 4×4 you can park at the upper parking lot which significantly reduces the amount of elevation gain and distance and turns this moderate hike into a very easy and fairly brief stroll. The road to the upper parking lot is very steep, very rocky and passes several large cross ditches, so it shouldn’t be attempted in anything but a high clearance vehicle. Some SUV’s can make it to a parking area a couple of kilometers before the upper parking lot, which still reduces the distance/gain of this hike considerably, but only the most capable 4x4s will typically make it to the end of the upper parking lot due to numerous large cross ditches.
Brandywine Meadows is really a summer only option once the deep snow pack in the area has melted, typically around July. The best time to go is when the wildflowers have bloomed, typically in late July and throughout August.
This is also a dog friendly hike and could even classify as family friendly if you can drive to the upper parking lot. I found it a great place to take anybody who is not really into hiking but does enjoy the mountains, as the hike is so short and simple from the upper lot.
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Is Brandywine Meadows worthwhile?
For the relative ease of this hike, especially from the upper parking lot, the views you will get are truly breathtaking. If you go in the summer when wildflowers are in bloom it’s even more beautiful. Not only will you get stunning alpine meadows, you’ll be amongst some beautiful mountain peaks and glaciers. This is absolutely a great hike.
How difficult is the hike to Brandywine Meadows?
From the lower parking lot this is a fairly steep hike at 14.68% average gradient. Most of the ascent is just a steep, technical forest grind full of roots. Once you’re out of the forest and into the alpine the gradient eases off but you will most likely be battling with mud.
From the upper parking lot you avoid most of the difficult ascent and the gradient is a mere 6.31%%. You’ll still have to navigate some mud patches but that’s about it!
There’s nothing particularly technical about this hike other than the rough forest terrain from the lower parking lot, it’s simple travel overall.
Brandywine Meadows Route Information
From the lower parking lot the first 1.3km or so is a fairly mellow gradient FSR walk, rising around 100m while hugging a steep hill (the upper parking lot being at the top of this steep hill!). There really isn’t a lot to see along this FSR plod, so just get it over with as fast as possible.
After 1.3km there will be a trail to the right where the real climb begins. Over the next kilometer or so the hike goes through a dense forest and climbs steeply, rising over 350m in just 1km (35% gradient). This is basically like hiking up the Grouse Grind, with a lot of technical forest footwork on a very steep gradient.
Thankfully the grind isn’t too long though and the next 700m or so will mellow out quite considerably, though you’ll still be climbing.
At around the 3km mark you’ll hit another particularly steep section, though thankfully much shorter than the first, where you’ll ascend 100m in about 400m distance along much of the same terrain. Once you’ve finished this section the worst part of the hike is behind you.
In a couple of hundred meters more you’ll join paths with the mellow trail leading from the upper parking lot, where the fresh faced 4×4’ers will annoy you as you recover from your grind. Your reward will now, most likely, be a bit of a mud fest.
The trail will now hug one of the creeks flowing through Brandywine Meadows, meaning this particular area is damp throughout most of the season. Combined with heavy footfall = a lot of mud, so do be warned. There is also a pretty high chances of bugs along this trail, with plenty of mosquitoes, midges and black flies. When we went they were pretty unbearable until we got to the top of the mountain.
The remainder of the trail is now a pleasant stroll through the gorgeous alpine meadows. If you’ve gone during the wildflower season (mid to late summer), they’ll be on full display through the rest of this hike.
Where you stop is really up to you as the trail keeps going all the way to the top of Brandywine Mountain. Many people stop before the climb at the northern end of the meadows, opting to stay down by the creeks, but my suggestion is to at least do some of this ascent as you get some beautiful views that you would not get from down in the meadows themselves. Once it gets to the steep rocky section you can probably stop and turn back, unless of course you are intending to summit Brandywine Mountain.
At the meadows themselves you’ll likely find a few people knocking around. We went on an absolutely scorching day and appreciated being able to put our feet in the water. Many people were swimming around in the creeks, some dog walkers with their children frolicking as well, and there were a few campsites dotted around.
Once you’re finished you simply head back the way you came, taking care on the steep descent through the forest.
When should I hike Brandywine Meadows?
This is a hike you want to save for the peak of summer or even late summer/early fall. There were a lot of black flies when we were there that were honestly a massive annoyance, so the later you go in the season the better to avoid these. I can only assume they like the dampness of the meadows area. If I were to go back I’d aim for late September to avoid mosquitoes/flies where possible, but the season will typically be from July to Mid-October.
Top Tip
I definitely recommend bringing DEET for this hike as the bugs were a constant menace.
As noted above, I’d suggest going a little beyond the meadow and gaining some elevation, you’ll get some truly stunning views with a bit of elevation gain. Personally I’d suggest going all the way to Brandywine Mountain since that’s a 5* day out.
