Huckleberry Hut

Version 2, changed by admin. 08/07/2007. Show version history

Location: Seventeen kilometers south of Nelson on Highway 6 just before the Barrett creek bridge look for Porto Rico Rd to west.
Time: Full day
Difficulty: Easy
Distance: 8
Elevation_Gain: 1300 feet
Map: 82 F/6
Avalanche: Moderate

From the Parking area on Porto Rico Road follow the road up for six kilometers passing a steep trail that continues to Lost Lake. The valley narrows and the route to Huckleberry Hut turns left on a bridge over Barrett Creek. The road up Barrett Creek continues, ending at Barrett Lake but is more popular with snowmobilers than skiers. Once over the bridge the road starts climbing and crosses two small avalanche slopes arriving at the cabin after about an hour. The cabin is very small with space for two (or maybe four) and is on the left hand side just five meters from the side of the road. From the cabin the trail continues up gaining the ridge after another hour. From the ridge descents from Midday peak, or Cabin Peak make for exciting Telemarking. An ascent of the southern ridge of Dominion peak is one of the classic tours in the Kootenays. The ridge can be traversed all the way around Barrett Lake with steep descents down Empire, Commonwealth to Barrett Creek or Lost Lake. There is also some good skiing in Hall Creek from Lost Lake.