Brandywine Mountain

Date: September 8th 2026

Distance: 17.7km, 1306m elevation gain

11 miles, 4286ft elevation gain

Brandywine Mountain is a beautiful prominent peak between Squamish and Whistler. Brandywine is a popular zone for backcountry skiing and snowmobiling. In summer, Brandywine Meadow is full of beautiful wildflowers. Camping is not permitted here, though every time I have been I see people camped in the meadow. Camping should only be done on a durable surface. Pitching a tent on top of an alpine meadow trammels plants and in the alpine this takes years for re-growth.

To climb Brandywine Mountain or to hike to the meadows you can park at the lower parking lot: 50.07763, -123.18541, or the upper parking lot: 50.08934, -123.18086

My first attempt at Brandywine I took my 1995 GMC Sierra 2500 to the upper parking lot. My truck blew a gasket on the road and I had to bail on the trip entirely. The road to the upper parking lot is rough and very steep. My second time I opted to cut my losses and just park at the lower parking lot which adds about 300m of elevation gain. It is very steep and forested until you reach the meadows.

On my most recent trip I took my Subaru Forester towards the upper parking lot. With clearance limitations and deep ruts I was only able to get part way up the road before I decided to park on the shoulder; 50.07736, -123.16043. From here, I walked along the road to the upper trailhead. Surprisingly walking along the road felt much easier than the trek from the lower parking lot. Along the road you get alpine views versus the lower trailhead through a dense forest.

We reached the upper trailhead quickly and from here it is a short easy walk to the meadow.

In order to climb Brandywine Mountain you walk past the meadows, cross the creek, and start to ascend quickly up a steep scree field. Be sure to have a map with you as there are several social trails and cairns leading to a dead end at climbers right.

Once on the ridge of Brandywine Mountain the views really start to open up with incredible views of the dramatic Mt. Cayley and Mt. Fee.

Before the final summit push there are more social trails leading south, these social trails likely lead to the Alcoholic Traverse. A route connecting Brandywine and Mt. Brew. I would love to do it one day.

The summit has a summit registry and amazing views of the surrounding glaciers and mountains including the Stawamus Chief back in Squamish.

The descent was straightforward albeit slippery in the loose duff and scree.

From the upper trailhead we were able to hitch a ride in a Toyota 4Runner which made easy work back to our car.

Overall a great mountain objective for the day.