Brian Waddington Hut

Summer access: 2.5 hrs
Winter access: 6 hrs
Location: 50.63059, -122.67985
Hut fee: $15 per person per night

About Brian Waddington Hut
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About Brian Waddington Hut

Notice: Brian Waddington Hut will be under construction and closed to the public from approximately July 11th - August 6th.

Built in 1998, this spacious hut sits in a subalpine basin at 1715 m beside Long Lake. It sleeps more than 25 people. The hut is open to non-motorized, non-commercial users. The VOC discourages visits to the area between August 15th and October 15th, when it is sensitive habitat for grizzly bears.

Backcountry skiers visit the hut for dry snow and challenging runs. In summer, Mt. Gandalf, Mt. Aragorn, and Mt. Shadowfax are fun scrambling destinations.

The hut has a wood stove (winter use only) and an outhouse. Firewood should be used sparingly, because it is carried in by volunteers. A creek south of the hut is open year-round for drinking water. For more information, see the VOC Wiki.

How to get there

Blackwater Creek FSR is ploughed in winter up to the start of Phelix Creek FSR near km 13 (2WD accessible with low clearance). This is the winter parking lot. In summer (outside of provincial wildlife closure, read more below), drive 4.4 km up Phelix Creek FSR to the barricades at the second bridge and park (2WD accessible with moderate clearance; keep left at the fork before the bridge). Walk up the road through a few cutblocks until the road becomes a trail and climbs through mature forest to Long Lake. If the lake is not frozen, walk around the north side to the hut. The total distance is 5.5 km and 600 m elevation gain (9.9 km and 1090 m in winter). In winter and especially in spring, there is overhead hazard along Phelix Creek FSR from large avalanche paths.

The Phelix Creek FSR is closed to motorized traffic under the provincial Wildlife Act from April 1st to June 15th; during this time users must park at the winter lot and walk to the trailhead.

2021 Phelix GPS track

Last updated: May 19, 2025

Conditions reports
New report
bring snowshoes  Coline T 

half of the trail is FSR.
snow starts around 1500m, in the forest (steep section) so bring snowshoes
Orange signs are very helpful
Lakes partially unfrozen but mostly covered by snow
May 17, 2025

Continuous snow starts at around 1500 meters.  Ondrej Peresini 

Hut in a good shape, 3 wood logs remaining. Continuous snow starts at around 1500 meters.
May 4, 2025

Bring snowshoes, be prepared  Randy Zhu 

Hut condition is good. Tinder material available, everything is in good condition. Trail consists of soft snow that’s easy to fall through with tree wells. Requires snowshoes to get up safely. We had some close calls getting up and down.
May 1, 2025

The trail was slushy, the conditions of the hut great  Julija B 

I think our group of 5 hikers was the last visitors during this winter season including a couple and two guys who came late at night. It was quite easy to follow up the marks of the trail. The most challenging part was with slushy deep snow in some alpine areas. Unfortunately, we decided to leave snowshoes in the cars and carry some firewood instead (good decision as firewood was running low in the hut). At the top we could not find the marking of the trail as it was fully covered by snow, so we decided to cross the lake (a bit risky that time of the season, the snow melts). At the lower level the trail was a bit muddy. For us it took 5 hours in total to reach the hut from the trailhead. The conditions of the hut were great! The best hut I've ever stayed! Clean and well maintained. Except mice at the night :) Overall winter hiking experience was cozy with good friends around. Highly recommended to experience this winter adventure!
April 26, 2025