Sapphire Col Hut

UTM Coordinates: 11N 46509E       5673193N, Elevation 2557m

Sapphire Col Hut, Glacier National Park Advanced to expert backcountry travelers only. Approximate travel time 5- 8 hours (one way) from the highway. Class C, sleeps 4. Photo © Mike Budd

Sapphire Col Hut is a basic mountaineering shelter. Apart from a few utensils and a toilet system, this metal bivouac shelter is unequipped; with no heat, stove or sleeping pads. Water is obtained from a nearby melt pond or by melting snow.

Located at Sapphire Col between The Dome and Castor Peaks on the Asulkan ridge, attaining the Sapphire Col Hut requires mountaineering equipment and skills. Sapphire Col is above the tree line in serious avalanche terrain and requires travel on a crevassed glacier. Knowledge of safe glacier travel techniques and whiteout navigation skills are required.

A loop can be done going from Wheeler Hut to Asulkan Cabin then to Sapphire Col. Parking lot to Asulkan is 7 km, Asulkan to Sapphire Col 4 km, travel time 4-5 hours, this route is exposed to ice fall and other hazards, out via Lily Glacier. Advanced to Expert backcountry travelers only. 

Reference materials available

Robert Dahlgren en route to Sapphire Col Hut, Glacier National Park. Photo © Norman Winter

The Sapphire Pool just below the col. Sapphire Col Hut is to the left. You cannot see the hut from the pool or when approaching from the Asulkan Glacier (right). Photo © Roger Wallis