Phelix Creek Trail
| Phelix Creek Trail | |
|---|---|
 Phelix Creek Trail as is goes around the lake on they way back to civilization. | |
| Length | 4.0 km |
| Class | Class 1 Trail |
| Status | Clear |
| Access | Phelix Creek FSR |
| Destination | Brian Waddington Hut |
| Caretaker | Varsity Outdoor Club |
| Legal |
|
| KML | |
| Maps | |
|
Avalanche Hazard |
| The route and terrain described here is capable of producing avalanches. Safe travel requires the skills and equipment to assess and mitigate avalanche hazards. A professionally taught training course is highly recommended. |
The Phelix Creek Trail constructed in 2007, is a 4.0km trail that links Brian Waddington Hut to the Phelix Creek FSR. The trail travels through a few old cut blocks before continuing on a moderately steep ascent of second growth forest that follows Phelix Creek. The valley is consistently steep from trail to peak and as a result landslides and avalanches are fairly common. This is the reason why much of the trail travels through second growth rather than old growth forests. There is one major crossing at the outlet of Betsy Lake (3.2km from the trailhead).
The trail stays on the west side of the creek and more or less follows the historical traditional winter route. The new trail is suitable for travel in both summer and winter but is a moderately difficult ski due to the steep forested terrain. Skiing the trail is approximately the same difficulty as a gladed black diamond tree run. The trail has been marked with retro reflective marker diamonds, but some sections are still a little sparse. The constructed trail ends at the east end of Betsy Lake. From there, the best route is to follow trails around either side of the lake to the Hut.
From the end of the [Phelix Creek FSR] cross the two clear cuts without gaining or loosing any elevation until you find 2 huge white boulders at the far end of the second clearcut. Here you will find a huge tree with a sign for the trail with some kilometer distances for the trail. From here, head north and slightly uphill across the first avalanche path. Once you are across the slide area, you will enter a forested section that is fairly well marked with orange reflectors all the way up to Besty Lake.
Trailhead
The trailhead officially begins at the end of the Phelix Creek FSR but if you have 2WD or if you are going up to the Hut in winter you likely will be starting your hike at the start of the FSR rather than the end. Even if you are going in the summer and you have a 4WDHC it's still advisable to park at the second bridge and you likely will not be starting you hike at the official trailhead but instead where you decide park.
Summer Approach
| 2WD | 4WDHC | |
|---|---|---|
| Parking Location | 0.2km up Phelix Creek FSR @ elev. 710m | 4.4km up Phelix Creek FSR @ elev. 1150m |
| Nearest Town | Pemberton (54.6km) | Pemberton (58.8km) |
| Hiking distance | 9.6km | 5.2km |
| Elevation gain | 1,000m (3,280 ft) | 560m (1,840 ft) |
| Approximate time | 5 hours in / 4 hours out | 3.5 hours in / 2.5 hours out |
Winter Approach
| 4WDHC | |
|---|---|
| Parking Location | 0.2km up Phelix Creek FSR @ elev. 710m |
| Nearest Town | Pemberton (54.6km) |
| Hiking distance | 9.6km |
| Elevation gain | 1,000m (3,280 ft) |
| Approximate time | 6-8 hours in / 3-5 hours out (depending on snow conditions) |