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
Trail cleared  Joseph Chiao 

A 17 person crew from the VOC completed extensive trail work over the weekend. All deadfalls obstructing the trail have been removed, a creek have been bridge, as well as a number of other improvements. The trail near the west end of the lake was flooded, so a new route have been put in that reroutes higher around the lake.

Condition wise, the subalpine is very wet and muddy. Small snow patches to be seen on the trail up to the hut. Lots of snow on the north aspet of the mountains above, and mostly dry on the south aspects. Bring ice axe if attempting the peaks to the south of the hut.
June 22, 2025

Limited wood at the hut  Genevieve Ramsey 

The hut was sturdy and in great condition. Firewood is at the trailhead and in another spot about 4km before reaching the hut. Wood is dry until around 1000m elevation. On june 16th there was one large log of firewood and some scrap wood, I would strongly recommend carrying a few logs up to the hut for cooking, warmth and future guests/ winter time.
June 18, 2025

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