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.
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, 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.
2021 Phelix GPS track
March 23/24, 2024
We parked at the lower parking lot as there was still snow on the road. We noticed large trucks and suvs with chains made it part way up the road. Snowshoes were needed once you hit the trail. Snow was heavy and wet. We didn’t have any problems crossing the lake.
On the way out, most of us used microspike to walk down. The snow was harder in the morning. We shared the hut with a group of 10. There was room in the hut for our group of 7. 2 of us tented and there were 3 backcountry skiers that were also snow camping. The skiers said the snow condition wasn’t ideal. We all loved the cabin. Overall hut and outhouse was in good condition. The solar lights only lasted one turn, maybe the battery needs upgrading. It didn’t bother us. The money container is very full. Money was sticking out, I would recommend someone empty it out soon. And we brought our own firewood. So we don't know don't know how full the woodshed was. Sawry! We'll def be back again.
March 25, 2024
Good trail in now. Went half way up road before putting on snowshoes. I carried in 6 pieces of wood. If used sparingly there is enough wood for 4-5 nights, if everyone carries in 1 or two pieces that’s a bonus. Above the hut there’s a thick crust, I stayed on top with small msr snowshoes, went up Frodo, ridge is nice spring/winter walk. Gandalf looks good.
March 21, 2024
Hut is in great shape, trail is still a bit bony but skinnable now, 4:45 in, 2:15 out. Good coverage in ski terrain. Wood is nearly out, we were very sparing with our use. Only maybe 4 nights worth left (we came out 3/7). One of the big water pots leaks so a new one would be helpful.
March 7, 2024
I lost two MSR snow pickets up at the hut the weeked of Feb 17th. If you find them please message 778229o232. Thanks, -T
Feb. 17, 2024
brought snowshoes but would have been accessible with micro spikes and gaiters (so long as you stay on the trail). Ice found in some areas where snowfall did not reach but otherwise a tough snow crust exists below fresh snow most other places.
A small tree and some large stones have fallen onto the road ~1km from the winter parking lot leading to the summer parking lot (bring a wood saw and long crowbar or shovel if venturing up to the summer parking).
Took ~6.5hrs to get up and ~4.5hr down.
Hut is looking good, very thankful to be able to stay the night
Feb. 11, 2024
Ascent and descent of forest trail section very challenging due to low snow cover and icy conditions. Bare and rocky sections of trail. Most efficient and safe to carry skis on pack and wear boot crampons or microspikes on boots.
Hut itself in great shape. Roof replacement work very impressive. We had good skiing conditions above 1950 meters with enough fluff on the crust for pleasant skiing. Below that elevation you could feel/hear the crust underneath. Kicked off some sluffs on slopes above 35 degrees. Shallow enough to not cause trouble while skiing down. Did not attempt to skin up slopes that steep.
Feb. 9, 2024
The road is bare or patchy below about 900m; another group drove to nearly 1000m (the snow never gets deep, so you could go further if you're courageous). The trail has a few trees down and is skinnable through the flat section and very icy and patchy in the steeps. Bring microspikes. We hiked up from 1350m to the lake and it was MUCH faster than skinning. On the way down, the trail is arguably skiable to 1450m for very good skiers, but most people should plan on hiking both ways.
Long Lake is frozen. Everything in the alpine is about 5cm of dust on crust. Pray for snow...
The hut's in good condition and it looks like there'll be enough wood for the rest of the season.
Feb. 6, 2024
Road is drivable to the second bridge with chains and 4wd. Would recommend chains even on the flat section of the fsr. As the previous report mentioned, the forest is not very skinnable and is extremely icy. Conditions are best suited for microspikes below the hut. Lake seemed frozen. Snow was powder above the hut with good coverage in many of the bowls, but not the larger boulder fields.
Dec. 31, 2023
We were at the hut the 25th-28th. If you have chains, you can make it a good distance up the road but we didn't have them so we parked at the bottom. The clearcut section of trail is skinnable but once you're in the trees there's not enough snow coverage and it's pretty icy in sections, so we hiked for a while on the way up and down. Upper section of trail has enough snow to ski/skin, and the lake was crossable.
Please use the firewood sparingly--you don't need much to make the hut a comfortable temperature, especially if it is crowded.
Dec. 28, 2023
Parked at the bottom of Phelix FSR. Others had driven to around the 1st or 2nd bridge on the FSR, some using chains. Straightforward navigation. No issues with the trail but the steep climbing section in the trees had patchy snow coverage and some compacted icy sections making it more challenging than if it was fully snow covered. Fresh snow on the 25th of December improved the top 20% or so of the trail but the lower section in the trees was still the same on the way down on the 26th as it was on the way up on the 24th. Good depth of snow around the lake and above. Edge of lake slushy in places.
Hut was in good condition with no issues. Same for the outhouse. There is firewood, but it isn't abundant so it was used sparingly.
Dec. 25, 2023
A looooooot of snow around the hut area, there’s no way to do it without a proper equipment, either snowshoes or the ski..
we were not able to get so high with our 4x4. We have to bring chain next time!
The trail is NOT MARKED AT ALL before the entrance to the forrest. We would really struggle without an offline map…
Other than that, the hut it’s in a perfect condition, there was just not enough wood, however we managed to keep us warm but it would be great to have more wood there especially if more people will visit!
Amazing adventure we just have to prepare ourselves better next time.
Dec. 3, 2023
Road: able to drive to TH in Ford escape (mod clearance, AWD) with chains and occasional slippy moments and scrapey moments.
Trail: Broken the entire way. Dust on top in the open. Hard packed in the trees. We were happy in just boots + spikes. One fellow in skis enjoyed some suffering before deciding to mostly carry the skis.
Lake: Looks mostly frozen but still open in a few places. Heard some cracking with weight on the edges.
Hut: Good condition.
Snow: We booted up to and around the lake under Shadowfax. I'd estimate snow depth ranges from ~5-60cm, but in general it is thick and crusty, boulders are still visible everywhere, and low trees are still uncovered. It didn't look like there was anything skiable.
Nov. 26, 2023
Lower parking is snow free, but we had to walk all the way up the road to reach the single track. High clearance 4wd can probably reach the end of the road for a couple weeks more. Hut in good condition.
Nov. 19, 2023
The repair of the roof appears to be done, we found the hut to be in perfect working order. Bring your own stove.
The waterbars were too high for our medium clearance SUV, we parked at the winter trailhead.
Oct. 23, 2023
3 hour walk up the trail from the summer access point (our 2wd van made it up fine).
The hut has tools strewn about but this only takes up half of the downstairs space. Upstairs is empty and fine. Minor paint fumes, but didn’t cause me and hiking partner any issues.
Aug. 29, 2023
We booked the visit for 10 people. Ended up 6 people. Nobody else was there. We were able to reach to the beginning of the trail with the car. So We hiked around 1h 40 min to the hut. The conditions of the trail and the weather were perfect. When we arrived, this volunteer, Jeff, was working on the hut and told us that the hut was closed due to maintenance so we had 2 options: Go home or sleep there with him working around until 2 am or so. (In the website says that the roof renovations were already done the 15th of August). Everything inside the hut was full of tools and materials. We decided to sleep inside. I was helping Jeff with the hut renovations. Other than that our stayed was alright. We tried to not bother him too much and we just went to the hut to sleep.
Aug. 26, 2023
Almost complete with the construction on Phelix's roof. Clean-up will take some time and the hut will not be ready until the bear closure starts (Aug 15-Oct15). Wasp nest on the railing of the bridge about 2.5 km up the trail from the current parking (only little bridge with a railing). Saw a black bear on the road up (by the fork up Phelix Creek Rd). Also the outhouse has been fixed and gross tp cleaned up.
Aug. 11, 2023
Drove up to almost the old truck, hiked up in less than 2 hours (1st km still overgrown). Spent the weekend with a rotation of 15 people putting in insulation, lots of wood bracing and strapping, outer plywood, and a water proof layer. The roof is not quite done, we hope to finish up this coming weekend and clean up soon. If anyone is planning to come up and can help carry garbage down (we'll make it as light as possible), we will be forever grateful
Aug. 5, 2023
Phelix Hut remains closed for use by the public as repairs continue. We anticipate repairs to take a bit still, so make sure you have tents with if you're going up. Lots of people camping in area. Drove in almost to the old truck and hiked up in about 2 hr on Jul 28, put up a huge amount of steel framing etc onto the new roof, and hiked down in 1.5 hr Jul 30. Trail is in fine condition, but fairly overgrown at the bottom. No bear encounters
July 29, 2023
Trail is becoming overgrown in small sections but overall in good condition and easy to follow to the hut. Took us 2.5 hours to get to the hut with overnight packs. Trail leading to Gandalf was in good condition and easy to follow. Trail to Shadowfax a bit overgrown but easy to find with some basic route finding. Inside the hut was clean and everything was working properly. As previously reported there is active logging on this road so drive with caution. Activity was very minimal on the weekend - only one machine in operation and no trucks encountered. I suspect they reduce activity on weekends in anticipation of recreational visitors.
July 15, 2023
- First couple km after the burned car are very, very overgrown.
- Forest workers are in the area logging all the way up to the beginning of the trail (burned car). They could put up cement barriers after their shift to protect their equipment from being stolen. Something to consider if you park your car all the way up. They headed their way down around 2 pm.
- Did not encounter any bears, but forest workers saw a grizzly 3 days prior.
- LOT of moskitos at the hut but manageable walking up.
- We came with 2WD and hiked all the way from bottom. Would recommend 4WD or at least an SUV with good clearance to save walking along the logging road.
July 12, 2023
Blocks have been removed at the second bridge, cutting out about 1.5km of road walking.
When driving be sure to have a radio and call up so the crew knows you're on your way in—visibility is not great on the road and you do not want to get smacked by a logging truck!
Things are looking good otherwise. No snow at the lake, good trail.
July 5, 2023
Snow has just melted out of the alpine meadows and a few small patches of winter snow remain in shaded spots. Lots of glacier lily and anemone coming up, but alas snowed 5 cms on our way in June 19th with more snow at higher elevations. Will likely melt off quickly with warmer temps. Road and trail in good shape, expected bushy-ness with the alders where the trail follows the old road bed.
Hut in good shape overall. Loose plywood and bare insulation previously mentioned is still showing under the roof overhang to the left of the door. No water damage inside but just a matter of time before some critter moves into the roof. Loose boards and nails sticking up from the trap door. Could use a good deep clean and scrub down, a little spring love. Alas did not have the cleaning supplies this time round😊 Beautiful cabin!
June 20, 2023
Drove to the end of the road and then hiked to the hut in about three hours. Snowshoes become necessary about two thirds of the way up to the lake. Really. Don't forget the snowshoes or you won't get far. Hut is in good shape all things considered. Lake is still covered in ice but looking blue around the edges.
May 20, 2023
It took us 6h to the hut on snowshoes. From the winter parking lot to the summer parking lot, in the first part there was no snow. In the beginning of the forest, the trail sometimes showed rocks and the ground. Most part of the trail was in okay shape for this time of the year. I wouldn’t recommend on ski’s. The snow on the top and around the lake was good. The hut was in good condition. We didn’t go beyond the hut.
April 22, 2023
Trail in was about as bad as it usually is this time of year. Spring conditions so icy, lots of exposed rocks, roots and dirt. We did a lap of Cabin Hill on Friday and it seems like it rained to the top because the snow was cement. Best described as MCL- tearing conditions. We went down NW Knob and it was awful. Friday Night there were 10 of us in the hut in total. Half our group bailed and then there were two others. Discussed going up to Peregrine Col but given the day before's scouting mission, we decided it was not worth it. We went up over cabin hill and exited that way which was good-ish snow. At around 1700m the snow became heavy and it was not much fun through the trees. All-in-all we only stayed pne night and I would not recommend.
April 8, 2023
All in good working order. The express fix that VOC made to the roof last week looks good and is holding up.
April 2, 2023
Eight of us went up, put the left side of the annex roof back on, and stabilized the right side of the annex roof, hopefully will hold until spring. Until roof is fully rehabilitated, adhere to the big warning banner on the main huts page.
March 25, 2023
The VOC has gotten a report from a group currently at the hut that snow falling from the roof pulled off some of the roofing. The hut should still be usable, but we will be doing repairs as soon as possible.
March 22, 2023
The large amount of snow on the roof came off while we were touring on Wednesday March 22nd. The roof sheet metal and supporting plywood was peel off the South Side of the Dormer and partially off the North Side of the Dormer. The basic hut structure seems sound and access through the door wasn't too concerning. Some new snow fell Wednesday night and there was some leakage from melting snow during the day in the dormer sleeping area.
Before: https://photos.app.goo.gl/Pi6HBCLFnv5o7J4f7
After: https://photos.app.goo.gl/v2Rjj1Rjobqxxf4t9
https://photos.app.goo.gl/YMzCpwjMNj6QYYDK7
We stayed in the hut two nights after the roof damage and it was stable and still warm
And the skiing was amazing
March 22, 2023
A group of 35 VOC and non-VOC members spent Friday and Saturday night at the hut. Skin track up is in good condition with all creeks filled in. Skiing Saturday and Sunday was incredible with 15+cm of fresh snow over the weekend. Sunday ski out was best I've seen it at Phelix, minimal ice crust in the trees and route relatively easy to follow. No immediate repairs needed, we removed snow from the outhouse and hut door. A sign should be added at the summer TH junction, make sure to go left towards the large concrete blocks. A weekend filled with the simplest of joys: good friends, great skiing, and lots of memories of our friend Will
March 11, 2023
Hut in great condition. Took us just under 4 hours to get there and 1hr15 to get back. Beautiful location. Saw a few type 0.5-1 triggers on N aspect cabin hill and a type 1 on S aspect Gandalf.
March 4, 2023
We got very lucky with the 30cm of new snow. It was fully waist deep as the new snow fell on the soft layer below. We found the best skiing off the NorthWest Knob. You can see the runs on the Gaia GPS winter layer. We also skied Return of the Kings and the coverage wasn't as good and there was more wind-effect. Would instead recommend returning down the skin track trees as that aspect was had very good snow.
The approach to the hut was about 5 hours and the return about 2.5 hours.
Hut is in great condition, we had 12 people on both Friday and Saturday night.
Feb. 26, 2023
Blackwater Road is a sheet of ice due to freeze/thaw cycle last week and subsequent cold. Otherwise, ski in/out is in fine (if at times icy) condition with a few small rockslides about 1km from the trailhead. Snow is quite wind-affected on many aspects, though we found good snow on some SW and NE facing slopes.
Feb. 24, 2023
Blackwater Rd was snow free for the first few kms and well plowed farther up. Thin but skiable snow along the road from the parking lot. Some exposed rocks near the bottom of the switchbacks/forest, but good coverage in the top half and around the hut. Lovely snow but poor visibility.
Feb. 20, 2023
The snow is lower this year than I expected but the trail was is really good conditions and the cabin was clean. We had a group of 3 and another group of 3 was there all week. There is still plenty of fire wood and we saw no rodents.
Feb. 17, 2023
Parked at the winter parking lot, the snow is not compact enough to drive up and good thing too as there were bits of a small landslide on the road in (rocks starting to come loose). The road in was easy half my group snow shoed and others toured. Either way the forest was icy! Hut was nice and toasty with a big group! Thankfully the wood has been restocked. Good times and all groups were respectful of the space.
Feb. 6, 2023
No stove at the hut currently, and wood is also used up. Borderline hazardous to walk up unprepared (without your own stove). Skinning was only difficult in the woods, where the snow was very patchy and the path was steep.
Snow was heating up during our stay, but we did not trigger any slides (lapped cabin hill and NW knob).
Caution should be used in steeper terrain, there is a weak sugary layer ~70cm below the surface.
Jan. 6, 2023
We couldn't find the coleman stove mentioned on the wiki. Luckily brought our own stoves so were fine, but would have been a problem if we weren't prepared.
There are 2 full propane canisters, and 4 empties in the cupboard
Approach took 7 hours on Dec 27th. Made good time skinning on the Phelix FSR. Lots of alders to thrash through after the rusted truck. The first 200m of elevation gain up the marked trail are challenging, low coverage around boulders and fallen logs, hardpacked making skinning difficult. Snowshoes or bootpack better. Higher up there is enough coverage to skin.
We skied many fun laps on cabin hill. Triggered a size 1 in the main bowl that ran down to the boulder field. Failed on storm slab 10-15 cm crown.
Did one run off the NW Nob, awesome at the top but lower down needs more snow to cover small trees.
Dec. 30, 2022
Not enough snow during the steep section to skin up. Was a bit of a struggle getting up there.
Lake completely frozen over, went across the middle of it no problemo. Good coverage for snowboarding at the top, although the snow was a little crusty.
Hut is not much warmer than outside, had every single piece of clothing on and was still a tad bit cold sometimes.
Dec. 17, 2022