Hiking to Bill Putnam
(Fairy Meadows) Hut
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Swan
Creek Trail - Description (as of August 2004)
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Drive to yellow kilometre marker 63 on
west side of Kinbasket Lake.
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Turn west (uphill; small ACC
sign at junction) and drive approx. 2 km. Park here unless you have a
very high clearance, 4-wheel drive vehicle.
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Walk up this de-activated
logging road.
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After approx. 1 km there is
a sign describing the history of the Swan Creek Trail.
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After approx. another 1 km
on this rugged road, on the right side, there is a cairn and a primitive
sign marking the start of the Swan Creek Trail.
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Follow this trail on old,
very overgrown logging road for approx. 1 km to end of clear cut.
NOTE: The trail is hardest to follow here because of very thick
alder. Keep your eyes on the ground so as not to lose the trail.
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The most tedious part of the
trail is now behind you. For the next several km the trail follows
closely the S bank of Swan Creek (less than 100 m from the creek),
through mature forest and across avalanche slopes. At one point on this
stretch, you have to cross one nasty avalanche debris pile that spans
the creek. (Do not cross to the N side of the creek, always stay on the
S side).
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Eventually, the trail climbs
steeply up through the forest away from the creek.
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The trail is generally easy
to follow if you keep your eyes open for cairns, flagging, and the trail
bed.
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Cross the second avalanche
debris pile.
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Past this debris pile, there
is a good creek to get water from.
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Eventually, the trail leads
up on to a long, lateral moraine, high above the Granite Glacier.
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The hut is approx. 1 km
beyond where the trail leaves the lateral moraine. Congratulations! You
have done it!
NOTE: Bring some
flagging tape, machete or pruning shears to help keep the trail from
disappearing, especially on the old, overgrown logging road where the bush
is worst.
Hiking time to the Hut:
Plan on 6 – 8.5 hours going up.
Kinbasket Lake Logging Road:
The road is generally good and can be driven on with non 4-wheel drive
vehicles.
Watch out for logging trucks!!!
Pictures
- Swan Creek Trail and Fairy Meadows Hut area
Swan Creek Trail sign on the old logging
road |
Hiking on the old logging road |
Section of the trail through mature
forest |
The first major obstacle: avalanche
debris pile |
Gaining the lateral moraine |
On the lateral moraine, Granite Glacier
to the right |
Location of the Fairy Meadows Hut
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Above Fairy Meadows Hut, towards
Friendship Col |
Hiking above the hut, Granite Glacier in
the background |
Evening at the hut |
Descending into Swan Creek |
A tricky spot on the Swan Creek Trail
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All photos: © Jacob and
Karin Herrero, 2004
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