Brandywine Meadows hike and camping near Whistler, BC

Name: Brandywine Meadows hike and camping near Whistler, BC
Rating: 4

July 5, 2019July 15, 2019 Carl Blanchet 0 Comments Camping Allowed, Day Hikes, Day Trips, Dog Friendly, Hiking, Intermediate Hikes, Parking Available, Toilets Available, Whistler

The beautiful Brandywine Meadows located near Whistler is a steep but rewarding 6 km round-trip hike and a phenominal camping location. The trail from the lower parking lot remains in the trees until opening up as it approaches the meadows, exposing views of Brandywine Mountain towering above as well as the Black Tusk and Mount Garibaldi to the south. Brandywine Meadows is also easily accessible via an alternate route for 4WD vehicles only.

Time (Round-Trip): 3.5 hrs
Distance (Round-Trip): 6 km
Difficulty: Intermediate
Season: June – October
Elevation Gain: 550 m
Scenery: ★★★★☆
Camping: Yes
From Vancouver: 2 hours
Public Transit: No
Dog Friendly: Yes

Brandywine Meadows is accessible via two different trailheads. There is a 2WD access from the lower parking lot and a 4WD access from the upper parking lot. If you have a 4WD vehicle, this access will reduce the elevation gain to the meadows by 365 m (1,198 ft), leaving you only a short walk. Otherwise, you must start from the lower parking lot trailhead and hike up steep terrain for roughly 1 hour and 30 minutes.

2WD Route
From the lower 2WD parking area follow a well marked trail as it switchbacks up steep rocky and rooty terrain. The trail is not often maintain, therefor you can expect fallen trees along the way. About 10 minutes into the hike, at a log crossing over a small creek, a side trail to the left leads to a view of a waterfall. Continue hiking up the steep terrain weaving between trees.

About 45-60 minutes into the hike, the terrain will begin to flatten out and you will cross numerous muddy sections. Shortly after, the trail opens up to a series of logs and boardwalks crossing over several more muddy sections of the trail.

The trail will continue to gain elevation quickly after this until finally the steepness of the valley begins to ease off. You will reach a fork in the trail and will want to continue left and the trail right leads to the upper parking lot. The trail will begin to emerge from the trees and weave it’s way towards the meadow.

Eventually the trail crests a small hill and descends to Brandywine Meadows. If you wish to continue, follow the trail along the right side of the meadows. If you are camping in the area, use an already established campsite at the beginning (south end) of the meadows. The meadows offers great views of Mount Garibaldi and the Black Tusk as well as Brandywine Mountain and a glacier above to the north.

ESTIMATED DRIVING TIME FROM VANCOUVER: 2 HOURS

Drive north from Vancouver on Highway 99. Resewt your odometer at Cleveland Avenue in Squamish and continue north towards Whistler. Turn left (west) off the highway roughly 43 km past Cleveland avenue onto Callaghan Road. This road is 2.7 km north of Brandywine Falls Provincial Park and 1.5 km north of the bridge over Brandywine River.

Shortly after turning left on Callaghan Road, take another left on the Brandywine Creek Forest Service Road towards Whistler's Recycling & Waste Transfer Station. You will notice and smell the refuse station on your right, continue down the road to the left of it. The road will open up to a large clearing, keep on the road leading right of the clearing. Remain right on the road which will turn into gravel and you will start noticing yellow km markers.

Ignore all the side roads (mostly leading left) and continue up the rocky gravel road that will begin to switchback and head up numerous steep hills. The gravel road is filled with pot holes and loose rocks, therefor keep in mind your vehicle's clearance and ability to continue on this road. Do not hesitate to park on one of the pull-offs along the way if you feel the road becomes too demanding for your vehicle. You will reach a fork with a sign pointing left for the 2WD lower parking lot and right for the 4WD upper parking lot.

2WD Access
Continue left beyond the sign and ignore all the side roads heading left. The road is similar to the terrain you have experienced up to this point until reaching a long steep hill full of loose rocks. Consider parking at the bottom of this hill, there are numerous pull-outs where you can park. The lower parking lot and trailhead begins at the top of this hill.
(I made it all the way prior to the last long steep hill leading to the lower parking lot with a 1998 Toyota Corolla. The only vehicle I've seen beyond this point were trucks.)

4WD Access
It is possible to take awn alternate access route with a 4WD vehicle. This access will reduce the elevation gain by 365 m (1,198 ft). Continue right beyond the fork with the parking lots sign.