Brandywine Mt - final set 3

August 24, 2025 -- Cheakamus

Stats: 12.8 km / 948m gain / 2160m high / 5:15 hours MT / high clearance 4x4

On our third and final day in the Whistler area, we did a third hike. Thanks to my hummer, we were able to drive to the upper parking lot which shaved about 600m gain off of the hike.

Brandywine Mt is located in the Powder Mountain Icefield of the Pacific Ranges in the Coast Mountains, about 25km west of Whistler.

We began this hike, thinking we'll see how far we get. Having done a 29km climb just two days prior, we didn't know how much umph we had left in our bodies. Last time I did it I recall it being quite difficult. But not this day. We got a much earlier start and beat the heat, doing all the climbing before lunchtime.

We got up at 5:00am, making quick work of packing up and cleaning up our haven for the last three nights. How did we fit five women into a three bed condo? I took the mattress off of the sofa bed and put it on the floor to avoid sleeping in a big dip. Charlotte & Denise shared the double bed, Janice took that narrow bench by the window and Sue was all too happy to sleep outside on the tiny balcony.

Even more challenging, was how to fit five women, five paddle-boards and all our hiking + overnight gear into my hummer. We couldn't drive the hummer out of the underground parking area with the paddle boards on the roof rack. So I drove outside as the others carried all the stuff downstairs.

And we stuffed the goods in any space we could find. This was the way we drove right up to the trailhead.

It didn't take long to get to the meadows in the early morning light -- west.

Although a big sign said "no camping", there were a few people that did. The Black Tusk stood out on the eastern horizon.

We walked to the end of the valley and then crossed this fast-slowing creek with the help of this gentleman.

Then we angled to the left.

This stretch to the ridge was quite steep.

The trail continued to the right side of the lower center ridge.

Castle Mt & the Black Tusk -- east.

Monkey-flower

The higher we got, the steeper it got. The fine gravel & dirt mixture made for unstable footholds.

When we crested the ridge, we had our "Wow!!" moments -- south.

south

Mt. Fee (2010m) -- south.

Mt. Cayley (2250m) to the right -- southwest.

Once on the ridge, I checked my GPS and saw that we were already about 2/3 of the way to the summit, with the steepest part was behind us. So we agreed to continue. There were more boulders and a few scrambly sections.

Destination in sight (left).

Looking back at a tight spot. This is where Charlotte decided to stop and wait for us.

This was the trickiest spot.

The trail then angled to the right, towards the summit -- east.

Made it! Views to the west.

northwest

north

east

Group shot at the summit ; Denise D, me, Janice H, Sue A

Flying ants on the summit cairn.

Heading back down -- south.

Looking back at the summit.

Leaving the ridge and back on the steep slippery slope, I stayed more to the right this time which proved to be the better route.

Charlotte ended up waiting for us at the creek crossing. It felt so good to soak our feet in the glacier water and rest in the increasingly warm sun while regrouping.

I said to Charlotte she was being a friendly troll, showing other hikers where to cross the creek and giving them a helping hand.

Complete group shot.

Garadaldi Mt in the distance.