Woodbury Cabin

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Photo © Kevin Giles Woodbury Cabin, Kokanee Glacier Provincial Park, British Columbia A popular destination for hikers or mountaineers. Summer access is by a 4 to 5 hour hike via Woodbury Creek. Winter bookings are not available due to avalanche hazard. Capacity is 8.

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 Woodbury Cabin was built in 1984 and is a great destination for hikers or mountaineers. It is equipped with a wood stove (wood provided). Propane cooking and lighting with propane supplied. Cookware or dishware is NOT provided. Sleeping is in the loft area, foam pads are currently NOT provided.

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 Woodbury 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 is well marked and maintained and follows the creek to the cabin above the Wolf Cascade. Note that the trail forks after 1 km, with the Woodbury cabin being up the left fork. The hiking distance is 8 kilometres with 762 metres of elevation gain and will take most parties 4 to 5 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 Woodbury Cabin is unavailable for booking in winter due to avalanche hazard. (The hut is uniquely designed to deflect avalanches, and has been hit twice in recent years).

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 Woodbury cabin is situated at 909163 on 82F/14. These maps are available from the ACC's National Office, Government Agents and most map retailers in British Columbia and Alberta.

Information on the hut may also 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's 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:

Reservations for the cabin can be made through the ACC National Office from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., seven days per week.

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