Fairy Meadow Hut
Map References:
- Sullivan River 82 N/13 (See also Mt. Sir Sandford 82 N/12)
- Grid Reference: 394352
- Altitude: 2,050 m (6,700 ft)
Location:
Located in the Adamant Range of the northern Selkirk Mountains, B.C.,
in the head waters of Swan Creek, southwest from the terminus of the
Granite Glacier.
Capacity:
- Summer - 20
- Winter - 20
Facilities:
Two storey wooden structure with several rooms for sleeping on second floor
- foam mattresses provided.
The kitchen with enough cooking/eating utensils for 30 people, a 4 burner
propane stove and a
Coleman stove for cooking and Coleman lanterns. There is a wood burning
stove for heating. A hose is available to set up a runing water system
from thge creek nearby in the summer. The outhouse is downhill to the
north of the cabin
Visitors must supply their own: food, propane and/or
Coleman fuel
(white gas),
garbage bags, dish soap, toilet paper, and sleeping bags.
Propane is supplied for one stove and oven, as well as the lamps in the
common area. It is still recommended to bring white gas for the
Coleman stoves and lanterns.
Access:
Summer:
Drive west on Highway 1 from Golden B.C. to the bridge over the
Columbia River at Donald (sawmill). From the bridge, measure 21.2 km
west on Highway 1 to a logging road heading north, also signed "Big Lake
Fishing". Follow the logging road for approximately 59 km to 0.5 km
past the 111 km logging mileage post, just short of Swan Creek. Then
turn left (west) off the main logging road. After about 1 km, keep right
at the junction and continue for a total of about 3 km from the main
road. Park and proceed across the logged area and look for cairns and/or
flagging where the trail leaves the lower right of the logged area. You are
now where Swan Creek Valley starts to close in. Follow the trail up the
valley. The hut is NOT in the area marked "Fairy Meadow"! Do not pass
through the canyon to the bottom of the glacier, but stay high in the
trees to get well above the snout of the glacier and to gain the crest
of the old lateral moraine on the south side. Follow the crest of the
moraine. Eventually, the moraine top widens and becomes wooded, and
the narrow creek valley south of the moraine widens into a meadow. The
hut is on a knoll about 400 m from the start of the meadow and 200 m
from the moraine crest. 5-6 hours.
In Winter Contact
Canadian Helicopters
Golden B.C.
V0A 1H0
(604) 344-5311
N.B. Be prepared for delays at either end due to adverse weather
conditions which could prevent the pilot from flying. You will be
required to show your hut reservation confirmation form to the
pilot.
History:
Built by the ACC in 1965 as an alternative to camping in the
fragile Fairy Meadow.
Opportunities:
Summer: Excellent granite peaks and extensive snowfields. Peaks
include Sentinel, Austerity, Quadrant, Adamant.
Winter: Excellent skiing and ski mountaineering.
Other huts in the area: Great Cairn to the south, one long day away.
Amenities:
Golden, B.C.
THE ALPINE CLUB OF CANADA
Canada's National Mountaineering Organization
National Office, Box 2040
Canmore, Alberta
Canada T0L OMO
Phone (403) 678-3200
Fax (403) 678-3224