Snowspider Hut
| Snowspider Hut | |
|---|---|
 Hut in early winter, 2005 | |
| Overnight Capacity | 6 |
| Coordinates |
|
| Elevation | 1535m |
| Reservations | No |
| Locked | No |
| Access | Twin One FSR Van Horlick FSR Keith's Hut via Vantage-Matier Col |
| Built | 1993 |
| Caretaker | Unknown |
| Legal |
|
Snowspider Hut is a small wilderness hut located at the southern edge of the Joffre Group on the Twin One-Van Horlick pass. There are three small lakes within the pass and the hut sits on a small peninsula at the south-eastern edge of the middle lake (the biggest). Often the Hut will be snowed over in the winter and can be challenging to find. The hut has a three-burner propane stovetop for cooking, a collection of pots and pans, a wood stove for heating, an open-wall outhouse (aka. a throne) and a loft that can sleep 4 cozily although for VOC standards can fit a few more without issue. The Hut is really well put together and stays warm and dry through the winter.
History
The Hut was constructed in 1993 by the Whistler Ski and Kayak Club with local logs. Other hut elements such as the chimney and stove were hauled in from the Van Horlick FSR.
Use and Access
This Hut is not maintained by the VOC but rather is untenured and has no apparent owner. Even so, a cash box is present at the Hut for donations. Any donations received are likely appreciated by those individuals who keep the hut facilities in good condition and stocked with wood and propane. It is politely requested by those same volunteers that those wishing to use the hut in the winter access it by non-motorized means. The hut is mostly used in the winter and to coordinate use for a better likely hood of arriving and not having to tent, our Hut Registration Board can be used. Keep in mind that some don't likely use our registration board.
First come first serve, however, the Non-VOC Hut Registration page is available to help coordinate use.
For the most up to date information on the Hut see the Bulletins on the Hut Registration Page. View the bulletin archive here.
Approaches are via Van Horlick FSR, Twin One FSR, or via Vantage col from the Flavelle (Cerise) Hut access. In mid-October 2011, a VOC party drove up Twin One FSR for about 11 km and then navigated to the hut by GPS. This approach seems easiest, providing the Twin One FSR isn't blocked by snow. If going all the way by snowmobile, take the Van Horlick approach to avoid the non-motorized zone to the north and west of the hut. On this route there are a couple of places where the creek must be waded, where there used to be a bridge.
Non-motorized zone info
The area west of the Snowspider hut (including the north and west side of Snowspider Mountain, the south side of Mt. Duke, Twin One Lake, and the upper portion of Twin One Creek) is zoned for non-motorized winter recreation. Snowmobiles, snowbikes, and other motorized vehicles are prohibited from entering this zone between December 1 and May 31. Aerial transport is allowed for drop-off and pick-up of single day or multi-day recreation users. Unauthorized use is an offence under the Land Act and is subject to a fine of up to $1,000.
The zoning was established in the Sea to Sky Land and Resource Management Plan (LRMP) in 2009 and aims to protect wildlife and reduce conflicts between recreation users. This zoning acknowledges the significant backcountry skiing values of the area.
Snowmobiling, and other motorized use, is also prohibited year-round in Joffre Lakes Provincial Park and Nlháxten/Cerise Creek Conservancy.
Please respect these closure areas.
For more information, visit the Sea to Sky LRMP website here (https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/industry/crown-land-water/land-use-planning/regions/south-coast-region-plans/seatosky-lrmp), or contact the Sea to Sky Natural Resource District at (604) 898-2100. Maps of the zoning can also be viewed here: https://seatoskylrmpzones.herokuapp.com/
Facilities
| Heating | Wood Stove Wood stacked, split and placed under plastic at the sides of the Hut. |
| Lighting | None |
| Cooking | Three Burner Stove (Propane Tank) 4 woks, 6 Steak knives, Fondue Forks, 8 wine glasses Other miscellaneous pots and cookware |
| Fire Safety | |
| First Aid | |
| Sleeping | 3 inch foam mattresses and 2 poor condition sleeping bags |
| Capacity | 4 in loft, 2 on floor. |
| Drinking water | Lake/Creek to the South |
| Human Waste | Throne Outhouse with Roof Hand santizer |
| Greywater | Sink |
| Garbage | Pack it out |
Maps
Gallery
Loft with Foammies and the Wood Stove, 2007
Hut mid winter, 2007
Summertime at the Hut, 2012
Summertime at the Hut, 2012
Drinking water pot on top of the Wood Stove, 2013
Skins hanging from the rafters, Adrian Armstrong (TR linked below), 2013
Before the snowfall, 2013
Mid fall at the Hut, 2013
The Hut at night in fall, 2013
Winter wonderland with Snowspider Mountain in the right background, 2014
Hut in winter, 2014
Hut in winter, 2014
Hut in winter, 2015
Table area of hut with loft above and stove in front, 2017
VOC Trip at the start of winter with plastic covering wood supplies on each side of the hut, 2017
The majestically mangled Snowspider outhouse throne, 2013
