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Trip

Backpack - Brewer Creek Tarns and Brewer/Mineral Pass

Larch magic! 3-day relaxed pace and photo-oriented backpack to a premier early-fall destination in SE BC's northern Purcells. Explore superlative mountain and tarn/lake scenery, ridge walks with sweeping views, ascend bootpaths to easy/mountain routes on nearby peaks. Enjoy an early fall backpack to one of best scenic larch backcountry areas in BC.

Contacts

Linda Moore
Linda Moore
Primary Leader
  • Moderate/Strenuous
  • Moderate
  • Mileage: 20.0 mi
  • Elevation Gain: 2,800 ft
  • High Point Elevation: 8,140 ft
  • Pace: 1-1.5 uphill
  • 9/16 update:
  • Air quality (AQ) and wildfire risk in SE BC have returned to near normal conditions. Poor to hazardous AQ or nearby wildfires, or day long freezing/sub-freezing temps will cancel or change trip location in SE BC. 

* Consider pairing this backpack with nearby golden larch/scenic backpacks or hikes. 

  • Members only.  Minimum 3 persons preferred.  Leader permission required.
  • Read all leader notes and route/place including descriptive/photo trail links, before submitting request for leader permission. 
  • Submit leader including complete responses with following information:  provide examples of your recent (during last 12-24 mo) Mountaineers (at least one) and private 3-4+day moderate to strenuous backpacks (incl location, mileage, elev gain), planned backpacks between now and 9/14, why are you interested in this particular trip (backpacking, photography, location, other), your current fitness activities, approx pack weight (base & total) for comparable multi-night backpack, comfort/experience with travel over potential snow fields and carrying microspikes if snow conditions, comfort/experience with back country travel/camping in grizzly habitat including agreeing to carrying bear spray, transportation plans (high clearance AWD/4WD drive or need ride, carpool interest), have current passport for border crossing, and commitment level to this backpack.  
  • NOTE:  Leader permission requests without all requested responses will not be reviewed.  Be sure you meet all requirements and respond completely!
  • Relaxed pace to moderate pace, to accommodate photo opportunities near camp and occasional stops along trails/routes.  We’ll travel together as a group in the backcountry.  

Itinerary:

Day 1: 5 miles and 2,200' gain from trail head to tarns (North, Central, Southern), camp near Central Tarn, and short exploration to Brewer/Mineral Pass ; or up to 7 miles and 2,760' gain from small parking area near Brewer Creek bridge (road becomes steep and rough here) below trailhead

Day 2:  From camp, day hike to Southern Tarn, explore other Brewer tarns, Brewer/Mineral Pass, and easy route/scramble on lower slopes of Mt. Brewer. 

Day 3:  Break camp, return to trailhead and vehicles.  5-6.2 miles and 2,200'-2,760' loss.

  • Grizzly/cougar safe travel and camping practices required. Bear spray required. Leader will provide safety info/guidance.

See more trail details and photo links at:

https://summittrailmakers.ca/home.html/brewer-creek/

http://cvtrails.ca/trails/89

https://www.10adventures.com/hikes/invermere/brewer-lake/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vpM_Pb9hLZg

trip report:  https://forums.clubtread.com/27-british-columbia/93990-brewer-lakes-purcell-larch-glory.html

9/16 update:  

RT Seattle carpool rider spaces may be available for 1-2 persons joining this backpack. 

* Updated 8/13 for current road conditions near trailhead.

Meet 7:00am at Radium Vis Ctr to convoy/carpool to TH.  
Directions to TH (see route/place) leave Radium Hot Springs visitor centre parking area (above/behind building).  Approximate drive time 1.5 hours on from Radium Hot Springs via Invermere, then mostly gravel/dirt road with some rough sections.  

Be aware of drive time from Seattle to Radium HS:  approx 8.5-9 hrs via fastest route. 

  1. High clearance AWD (or 4WD) type vehicle recommended (and carry at least 1 spare tire) to reach TH or alternate parking area approx 2 miles (or closer at 1 mi*) below TH.  4WD vehicle, possibly high clearance AWD, will reach TH.    

    * Per 8/16 update on summittrailmakers.ca: Rock/gravel slide cleared at 1.6 km (1 mi) & road is open to TH.

Recommend car camping at Dry Gulch Prov Park, Redstreak campground (Kootenay NP) or motel evening prior to backpack, in/near Radium Hot Springs BC.  Leader will camp at Redstreak CG nights of 9/27-28 prior to backpack, and for up to 3 nights following Brewer backpack for nearby beautiful larch hikes and backpacks, ie Diana Lake and Jumbo Pass (day hike).

All vehicles parked overnight at/near Brewer trailhead are strongly recommended to have chicken wire wrap (see route/place link for details).   

Route/Place

Brewer Creek Tarns and Brewer/Mineral Pass

Roster
Required Equipment

Required Equipment

hi The Ten Essentials plus overnight gear which may include (updated 8/24):

  • Tent with footprint/ground tarp
  • Stove and fuel
  • Sleeping bag, for nights at/near freezing to 50s temp
  • Sleeping pad(s), for nights at/near freezing to 50s temp 
  • Water filter
  • Bear canister or extra stuff sack and cord designated for hanging food (few if any good hanging trees)
  • Cooking pot/pan with plate and utensils
  • Toilet paper and shovel or blue bag to deal with waste
  • Trekking poles recommended
  • Bear spray required + holster
  • Microspikes if snow conditions
Trip Reports