Summary of Route
- Type: Out and back, sub-alpine lake camping and big views
- Rating: 4/5
- Season: Summer and Fall
- Length: 19.3 km’s minimum one way
- Vehicle suitability: Stock 4x4
The Route
The Mount Thynne overland route is an excellent, moderately challenging route that presents big views and sub-alpine lake camping opportunities. At an elevation of 6627 feet, Mount Thynne will remain snow covered into the late spring. Completing this route in the fall is recommended as the patches of poplar trees begin to change colors.
Access occurs off the Coquihalla highway near Merritt, British Columbia, at the Coldwater Road exit. As you exit the Coquihalla, travel south along Coldwater Road for 11.3 km’s, passing the small town of Brookmere. The town of Brookmere has no services so plan accordingly. If you are arriving late in the evening, several wonderful campsites can be found along Coldwater River after exiting the Coquihalla highway.
Shortly after passing the town of Brookmere, Coldwater Road will split. Bear right onto Thynne Mountain FSR. Thynne Mountain FSR is in excellent condition and is well-travelled. Several small off-shoot roads occur; however, for the first 10 km’s follow the widest and best condition road and you will stay on Thynne Mountain FSR.
At approximately the 10 km mark, you will reach the below intersection (GPS coordinates 49.75453, -120.90211). Bearing left onto Upper McPhail Road will take you on the easiest and most direct route to Mount Thynne. To access Andy Lake, and keep things interesting, we will detail the approach bearing right at this intersection.
Travel an addition 3 km’s, avoiding all off-shoot roads. At this point you will reach another intersection (GPS coordinates 49.74749, -120.92042). Note this location as you will likely need to return to this intersection to continue your drive up Mount Thynne. Bearing right at this intersection will take you to Andys Lake, Brook Lake and a highly challenging access route to Mount Thynne.
For the challenging route, proceed an additional 1 km until reaching a pull-out/camp area to your left. Entering this pull-out area and taking an immediate left will bring you to a challenging alternate route to access Mount Thynne. We were unable to complete this alternate route in our rear-locked Xterra and accordingly only recommend highly modified vehicles attempt this option.
After having attempted this alternate approach to Mount Thynne, or avoided it entirely, return to the main road and continue travelling west for access to Andy Lake and Brook Lake. Neither of these lakes presents excellent camping opportunities but options are present at both. For solitude, Brook Lake is a much superior option despite the singular site being entirely undeveloped and the entry being somewhat difficult to find (first photo below).
After checking out these lakes, return to the earlier noted intersection (GPS coordinates 49.74749, -120.92042). Bearing east, or right upon your return approach, you will enter onto a short (0.8 km) connector road. This connector is a wonderful change in difficulty to the wide, gravel roads you have been travelling thus far but is still easily travelled in a stock 4x4.
After completing the connector road, bear right to continue your climb to Mount Thynne. You have now rejoined the shortest/easiest route to Mount Thynne. 2.8 km’s of travel will bring you to the Mount Thynne snowmobile cabin (aka The Tin Shed Emergency Shelter). After this point the road begins to deteriorate in condition with an immediate hill climb over semi loose small rocks. 1.6 km’s of climbing will bring you into the sub-alpine and views will begin to open up in all directions.
Once on the ridge, a further 700 m of travel will bring you to the first alpine lakes. In October of 2023, these lakes were relatively shallow but adequate campsites could be found on the western shores. Proceeding past these lakes and backtracking by taking a right at the first sideroad that you encounter presents the easiest access to these sites. Personally, we much prefer the subsequent lake for camping.
Continue travelling along the obvious route along the ridge. Take your time to enjoy the views and try some of the many side paths that deviate off the main path. 2 km’s of additional travel will bring you to the last, and our favorite, sub-alpine lake.
After this last lake road conditions deteriorate further and an initial walk-through of the remaining portion (approximately 1 km) is recommended for any who are unsure of their vehicles capabilities. While not highly challenging, much of the final approach has a steep drop-off and accordingly there is little room for error. Whether you hike or drive the final portion, reaching the top of Mount Thynne is highly recommended as views abound in all directions.
If you enjoyed this route, consider checking out our nearby routes Gillis Lake to Murray Lake and Greenstone Mountain!