Elfin Lakes Shelter

The hike is worth it!! Beautiful landscape, it's like being on different planet.

We went up in May and it was warm during the day around 13-15. Just about freezing at night. The shelter is amazing with 33 beds and big kitchen and gas stoves. The hike too is 4.5 hours including a lunch break the 5KM hut. This is both our first time backcountry snowshoeing, neither of us are big hikers or snowshoers, we found it challenging enough yet not impossible for inexperienced hikers. But I still recommend doing some lower body training a couple weeks beforehand. Some parts of the hike are steep. Some people went up without snowshoes, but I’d still recommend snowshoes because: 1. the snow gets slushy during the day, with regular shoes each step sinks 1-1.5 feet deep. 2. You then create these deep shoes wells that make your fellow hikers life really difficult (the snow starts to collapse and can twist ankles), and you return journey also tougher with those holes freezes overnight. The views are amazing once you pass 7KM mark, it’s wide open and just endless snowy mountain views. Words and pictures just don’t do it justice. Highly recommend! But be prepared, and have someone with experience if this is your first time.

This was our first time snow shoeing up to the Elfin Lakes' hut. The trail it self is well laid out. The trail is moderate in difficulty. You can snow shoe and or cross country ski up the trail. The Hut has multiple 2 person and 1 person bunk type sleeping quarters. The hut also comes equipped with two gas burning stoves and communal pots and pans to use. There is also a wood burning fire place that is regulated by a certain temperature (non-adjustable) it turns on and off on its own. I believe the hut sleeps 31 people. It's best to book ahead of time as the hut books up very fast! The views are amazing any direction you look at. Pictures do not do this place justice. A must do trail to add to your list!

Was here for Christmas 2018 and ooooooh boy was it amazing. Hard hike in but the views and the fun in the snow was very much worth it!

Absolutely stunning setting and a wonderful 11km hike to get there from the parking lot. There is quite a bit of parking available, but it still fills up quickly at popular times. Maybe try and hit this hike during the week if you want to guarantee a spot in either the parking lot or one of the overnight options. The shelter itself is clean and welcoming. The beds are simple, but that should be expected. There are some nice cooking facilities including pots for boiling water. Water, by the way, must be gathered from the lake. There are no taps in the shelter. There's a decent toilet just across from the shelter and easy access to additional hiking routes. Highly recommended destination as either a day trip or overnight stay.