MOUNT BRENNAN 2910m
Mount Brennan rises between South Cooper Creek and Whitewater Creek; its north face above the former is quite high. It commands a fine view of the Purcells, has three summits and is a popular ski ascent. A trail (not on map) goes up Mount Brennan, starting from the Rossiter Creek FSR (see above). In 1897, a massive avalanche swept down the steep slopes of Mount Brennan, killing a miner while his son, safe, was working in the mine.
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Map: 82K/3 Rosebery.
Drive: The old Mount Brennan road branched from the Whitewater Mountain road and reached the west side of Lyle Creek. Now, the approaches to Whitewater Mountain and Mount Brennan (and Lyle Peak) are separate. The road toward Lyle Creek and Mount Brennan (the Rossiter Creek Forest Service Road) is east of the Whitewater Mountain road and Retallack.
In 1944, Lyle Peak was approached up the Mount Brennan road, crossing a bridge over Lyle Creek, and hiking up switchbacks of an old road on the east side of Lyle Creek. This bridge no longer exists. Another way is to hike the Mount Brennan trail to near the lakes and the west side of the mountain. The start of the old Mount Brennan road is now closed (private property).
Rossiter Creek Forest Service Road (23.2 km, 14.4 miles, midway between New Denver and Kaslo). Present road to Mount Brennan and Lyle Peak.
0.0 Turn north onto the Rossiter Ck FSR.
2.4 km Fork left. The road crosses Rossiter Creek and climbs the face between Rossiter and Lyle Creeks.
7.2 km In a clearcut and just past a right switchback, an old mine road enters from the left (west; see above). This is the lower of two old roads entering from the west, 100 meters below a road junction. This road leads 0.8 km down to Lyle Creek. If you have a small four wheel drive vehicle, it is drivable to the creek; otherwise, park at the switchback and walk.
8.0km The old bridge is washed out but a new footbridge exists. Lyle Creek appears to be fordable on foot from about mid-August on. The path joins the old access road on the west side of the creek (hanging cable above the old parking space); 300 meters farther to the Mount Brennan trailhead.
The trail switchbacks 450 meters up the west side of Lyle Creek to a plateau, past two lakes, and then to the east side of Mount Brennan (4.5 km, 3 miles to the top).
1. First recorded ascent by Heather Bohle, Ada and Arthur Levy, 1930 or 1931, probably by Route 2. Heather Bohle was only 7 years old at the time. Richard E. Plewman climbed this peak many times before 1949, probably by Route 2.
2. Southeast Slopes. Take the trail (not on map) starting from the Rossiter Creek Forest Service Road (above). One can descend on snow; an easy, enjoyable climb. (III,3,s).
FRA 8/1944.
3. South-Southwest Face. Traverse west to east under the summit. There is no information about this climb in (III,3,s).
FRA Terry Bech, Wm. Fix, 31/5/1964.
