Phelix Creek FSR
| Phelix Creek FSR | |
|---|---|
 The log bridge crossing near the start of Phelix Creek Trail in 2009 before the second bridge was down-rated to 0 tonnes. | |
| Length | 5.8 km |
| Class | 4WDHC Gravel Road |
| Status | DSQ FSR Status Page |
| Access | via Blackwater FSR |
| Destination | Phelix Creek Trail |
| Caretaker | Sea to Sky Forest District (DSQ) |
| KML | |
| Maps | |
The Phelix Creek FSR runs from Blackwater Road until it ends at the trailhead for the Phelix Creek Trail. Most of the road is generally 4WDHC, although a land-slip occurs every spring at around 0.6km, and a ford at 5.1km may stop many in high water conditions. In the winter Blackwater FSR is periodically plowed in the winter and so after a large snow dump may be challenging to navigate. Phelix Creek FSR unlike Blackwater FSR is NOT plowed. Typically those intending on accessing Brian Waddington Hut on skis will not be able to drive on this road and will need to skin-up at the start of the road.
CAUTION: THE SECOND BRIDGE HAS ROTTEN AND HOLLOW LOG STRINGERS AND IS LOAD RATED AT 0 TONNES. CROSSING THIS BRIDGE WITH A VEHICLE IS HIGHLY INADVISABLE AND NOT RECOMMENDED.
Bridges
Bridge One: SQ-3109 (3.2km)
The FSR currently has two bridges. The first, SQ-3109, is 14.8m long 4.8m wide steel bridge with timber components. The deck, railings and abutments were not treated when the bridge was constructed and are rotting. However, the sub-deck, ballast walls and ties are all in good condition (as they were treated with creosote). This bridge is currently load rated at 68 tonnes.
- 2015 Inspection: Media:SQ-3109 2015 Inspection.pdf
Bridge Two: SQ-3110 (4.4km)
The second, SQ-3110, is 15.8m long by 4.3m wide log stringer bridge with timber components. None of the components of this bridge were treated and everything is rotting. Three of the four girders were tested in 2015 and it was found that all of them showed significant dry rot, so much so that the girders were 60% hollow. In 2014 this bridge was given a load rating of 2 tonnes. After the 2015 inspection the bridge was down rated to 0 tonnes.
- 2015 Inspection: Media:SQ-3110 2015 Inspection.pdf
- 2014 Inspection: Media:SQ-3110 2014 Inspection.pdf
Pedestrian Log Bridge (5.1km)
The Log Bridge at 5.1km is a single log with a rope cord as a handrail that crosses a small creek. It is possible to cross the creek to the road on the other side with a vehicle if you are brave. However, for only 700m further, most choose to park at this location rather than risk abandoning their vehicle in the creek.
Spurs
There are two spurs off of the main road. These spurs are mostly used by the Pemberton Valley Snowmobile Club:
- East Branch - Branches off at 4.2km
- West Branch - Branches off at 4.7km
Bulletins
- 2017 August 7th - George Hill
- A group of 2 VOCers headed up with the brush saw and loppers to clean up the approaches and decks of both bridges. Vegetation starting to get close to the deck was removed and pull-outs on each side were expanded.
- 2016 July 1st - George Hill
- A group of 10 VOCers headed up with the brush saw to clean up the road where needed. The slide section was easily passable on a Jeep.
- 2011 July 1st - Pemberton Valley Snowmobile Club
- Driving past the slide and all the way to the one-log bridge was possible using an assortment of Jeeps and Pathfinders.
- 2010 October 24th - Pemberton Valley Snowmobile Club
- The road is in excellent shape. Largely due to work by the Pemberton Valley Snowmobile club the landslide itself is probably possible with a low-clearance vehicle, and the encroaching alder has been cut back from the sides of the road as far as the Phelix East branch. Waterbars which get progressively worse with elevation will keep the road high clearance, however. The East branch was also largely cleared of encroaching alder. The West branch is seriously overgrown.
Waypoints
| Km | UTM | Elevation | Type | Direction to travel | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 524791, 5601770 | 700m | Blackwater Rd | Right | Turn right off Blackwater Road. |
| 0.2 | 524726, 5601986 | 710m | Parking area | Straight | Summer parking for 2WD Vehicles. |
| 0.6 | 524923, 5602246 | 750m | First landslide | Straight | Passable by 4WD HC in summer; maybe necessary to roll rocks off the road |
| 0.8 | 525071, 5602334 | 750m | Second landslide | Straight | - |
| 1.8 | 525250, 5603350 | 950m | Switchback | Straight | Road switchbacks left then right, passing a huge boulder partially on the road |
| 3.1 | 525069, 5604244 | 1070m | First Bridge | Straight | Road turns right over the bridge, then left up the West side of Phelix Creek |
| 4.2 | 524905, 5605088 | 1140m | Spur | Left | Phelix Creek East branch continues straight; turn left towards second bridge |
| 4.4 | 524821, 5605155 | 1150m | Second Bridge | Straight | Main branch crosses back over to the East side of Phelix Creek |
| 4.7 | 524700, 5605282 | 1170m | Spur | Straight | Phelix Creek West branch forks to the left; continue straight on main branch. |
| 5.1 | 524570, 5605678 | 1210m | Stream | Straight | Huge ditch as a tributary crosses the road. Maybe impassable if water level is high. A fallen tree to the right creates a bridge to cross in winter. |
| 5.9 | 524605, 5606348 | 1230m | End of Road | Straight | Parking for 4WD HC; continue straight across two clearcuts. |
| 6.6 | 524481, 5606998 | 1280m | Trailhead | Follow flagging | A large tree 700m North of the end of the road marks the start of the flagged trail to the Hut |