Silver Spray Cabin

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Photo © Kevin Giles Silver Spray Cabin, Kokanee Glacier Provincial Park, British Columbia A beautifully finished and comfortable shelter for hikers or mountaineers. Summer access is by a 4 to 6 hour hike via Woodbury and Silver Spray Creeks. Winter bookings are not available due to avalanche hazard. Capacity is 10.

Located north of Nelson, beautiful Kokanee Glacier Provincial Park offers an excellent backcountry adventure for the whole family. Sitting mostly above 1,800 metres in elevation, the park has three glaciers - Kokanee, Caribou, and Woodbury - which feed over 30 lakes and are the headwaters of many creeks.

The Silver Spray Cabin was built in 1994 and is a great destination for strong hikers and mountaineers looking to explore this rugged and scenic corner of the park. Propane cooking, lighting and heating with propane supplied. Cookware or dishware is NOT provided. Sleeping is in the loft area on foam pads.

Location and Access

Kokanee Glacier Provincial Park is located in southeastern British Columbia's Selkirk Mountains, a short distance north of Nelson.

Summertime access to the Silver Spray Cabin starts at the Woodbury trailhead. To get there follow Highway 3A from Nelson to the marked turnoff 23 km north of Balfour. Follow the logging road for 13 kilometres. Note that the last 2 kilometres requires a high-clearance vehicle.

The trail follows Woodbury creek for 1 km then turns right (North) up Silver Spray Creek, where many switchbacks will be encountered. Silver Spray Cabin hiking distance is 7 kilometres with 1016 (!) metres of elevation gain and will take most parties 4 to 6 hours.

Note that all roads in the park may not be suitable for low-clearance vehicles. Park visitors are recommended to protect their vehicle with chicken wire to deter porcupines from chewing on rubber hoses and tires.

The Silver Spray Cabin is officially closed in winter due to avalanche hazard and is unavailable for booking.

Reference material available

Photo © Kevin Giles

Guidebooks and Maps

National Topographic Series Maps 82F/11 (Kokanee Peak) and 82F/14 (Slocan), at a scale of 1:50,000, cover the Kokanee Glacier Park area. The hut is situated at 934187 on 82F/14.

Note that the guidebook, "Backcountry Huts and Lodges of the Rockies and Columbias" has incorrect coordinates for this hut.

Information on the hut may be found in "Backcountry Huts and Lodges of the Rockies and Columbias" by Jim Scott. This publication is available on our online store or by contacting the Alpine Club of Canada National Office.

Park Hazards

It must be emphasized that Kokanee Glacier Park is wilderness and any visitors must be entirely self-sufficient. Weather conditions can change suddenly in this area and lightning storms with hail and snow are common in summer.

Only experienced mountaineers practised in crevasse rescue and properly roped, should venture onto snowfields and glaciers.

Fees and Check-in/Check-out Procedures:

During the summer months, members with the huts or complete upgrade may reserve space in the cabin up to one year in advance, non-upgrade members may reserve up to 60 days in advance, while nonmembers may only reserve up to 30 days in advance.

Rates are listed on the Facility rates webpage.

Rates subject to change without notice.

Further information on the park may be found at the BC Parks website http://wlapwww.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/explore/parkpgs/kokangla.htm