Mt Brenton

Map

92B13

6.0 km one way.

Terrain: Rough

Approximate Elevations (in meters)

Start End Minimum Maximum Gain

750 1218 750 1218 468

Mt Brenton Logging Road (branch 6) Trailhead: (95 km from Saanich Hall, 20k on logging roads, 4wd recommended). Access to this trailhead is only available on weekends, even then this area is subject to active logging! The phone ((250) 246-9808) and toilets are only available at the gate.

This trailhead is accessed from the Copper Canyon logging road. Drive north from Victoria on the Trans-Canada highway. Turn left at the Doman's Lumber yard on MacMillian Blodel Haul Road, the second left turn beyond the light for the road leading east (right) to Chemanius. This turn is at a light itself. Proceed .7km to the gate (hours 8am-6pm) where you must stop and register. Proceed through the gate and continue down the Copper Canyon mainline until you cross the bridge over Humbird Creek (12.2km). Take the Mt Brenton Branch 1 road that is about 100m beyond the bridge. This road climbs gradually for 5.0km where Mt Brenton Branch Road 6 goes to the left. It is another 1.8km to a second bridge across Humbird Creek (elev 560m). The road then begins to climb more steeply and, in winter, you may well have to park shortly after reaching the bridge (if you can even get to it).

Make sure to carry a shovel with you in winter as you may have to dig out a parking spot. We strongly advise parking at the bottom of snow covered hills, we've found you save more time by parking at the bottom of the hill and walking up (if snow cover is insufficeint to ski) than you do by attempting to drive and having to dig yourself out.

Facilities available at the trailhead include:

Emergency phone
Toilets and/or outhouses

To check on snow conditions call Rob Janssen of R.E.Cycle - (250) 246-1551.

Access restrictions:Weekends only, even then there can be active logging traffic.

Uses

Cross-country ski	Intermediate.	Best from late November thru mid April.
Dayhike	3 boot (moderate).	Best from early June thru late October.
Snowshoeing	Moderate.	Best from late November thru mid April.

Description

The start elevation is given after climbing a couple of the hills after crossing Humbird Creek for the second time. The end elevation is for the summit, if you are skiing the route we recommend stopping at the cabin near Holyoak Lake (elevation 1060m - see Skiing/Snowshoeing below).

There are numerous junctions and abandoned roads around the lake. The following is therefore intended as general information and is not to be used as a self-guide by those new to the mountain. Users are strongly advised to be accompanied by a guide who knows the routes well and to mark their route in order not to lose the way upon return. The fog could be intense at times, totally obliterating any visual clues to the directions.

Skiing/Snowshoeing

Ski or hike up the logging road, staying to the main road. After skiing along the west side Humbird Creek Canyon you will come to an intersection, where the main road goes to the left while a secondary track goes straight ahead. Turn to the right, following the main road. This loops around to Holyoak Lake (elev 1050m). Stay to the left at all intersections. Ski/hike along the lake shore staying to the left shore until you reach the far side, enter via the logging road and once up the very short hill turn into the trees and ski/hike down to a cabin that is 100m or so off the main route. (The cabin can also be reached by staying on the main road but it is tricker to find).

During the 2001/2002 ski season we discovered another excellent road off the Mt Brenton Road. This heads up towards Mt Hall. This road starts about 6km along the Mt Brenton Road (before the 2nd bridge). For information on this trail see the Mt Hall trail description.

In early January 2003 we discovered a side road about midway between the second bridge and the Humbrid Creek Canyon Junction. This road heads up at first thought a narrow draw before leveling out. We skied for about 1.2km before turning back due to time constraints. This was a very nice ski although there were a number of creeks that might be difficult to cross later in the season.

There is a lovely plateau area for ski touring. We only discovered this in 2008 and have yet to plumb it's depths. To access this area turn left off the main road along a wide, open area shortly before the main road makes a sharp turn to the right. Ski along the open area and down a short slope to the plateau.

Skiing to the summit involves a steep climb. We have not evaluated this route with respect to avalanche danger and would recommend against this option unless you are thoroughly versed in avalanche dangers and have both the training to assess the hazard and equipment to deal with avalanches.

Day hiking

From Holyoak Lake an old logging road leads north and joins a T-junction. At the junction one is to turn left and hike some distance until seeing a rather steep, rocky road going up the slope on the right. This is the road to the summit, where all the soil has been washed off the road leaving the stones exposed. From this junction it is a short distance to the top where the Provincial Emergency Communications building and towers are located. The building is clearly visible in the above photo as a white spot just below the summit. To reach the building one is to follow the road to the left upon reaching an open area at the top. From the building there is a route to the summit, only a few minutes away. In a clear day, the summit offers beautiful views of other mountains, especially the summit of Mount Hall close by across the valley.

Be aware that, in years of heavy snow, snow can last on Mt Brenton well into June.

Features

This trail features animals (Black bear), forests, lakes and views.

Hazards

Black bears frequent the area, especially in the late summer when berries are ripe.

History

Humbird Creek was named after one of the original mill owners in the Chemanius area.

Trail-conditions

View trail condition reports for this trail.