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The Alpine Club of Canada

Elizabeth Parker Hut

Because of the popularity of the hut in core summer months, reservations are made via a lottery system.

Elizabeth Parker Hut

The ACC operates the largest network of backcountry huts in North America. One of our most accessible and popular huts, Elizabeth Parker (EP) Hut is located in a beautiful alpine meadow 500 metres from the shores of Lake O’Hara in Yoho National Park.

At A Glance

Trail distance: Summer: .5 km, Winter: 12 km
Elevation Gain: 400 m
Trailhead: Lake O’Hara, Yoho National Park
Family Friendly: Yes
Activities: Mountaineering and Scrambling, Day Hiking, Ice Climbing, Backcountry Skiing
Technical Considerations: Avalanche Terrain; ATES Class 1

One of the ACC’s most popular huts, Elizabeth Parker Hut is an ideal base for a spectacular day hiking and ski touring in Yoho National Park. Summer – The Lake O’Hara area with its sublime alpine lakes, gorgeous scenery, and amazing network of hiking trails and alpine routes is famous around the world as a hiker’s paradise. Summer access is via Parks Canada 30 minute shuttle and a 10-minute hike. Due to the hut’s popularity, reservations are made via a lottery system in the summer. Winter – Ski touring in the Lake O’Hara area is lesser known than the summer hiking but it is every bit as scenic and rewarding. Winter access via a 3-4 hours ski.

Capacity: 24
Hut Location: 51.3554, -116.3441
Heat: Wood
Light: Propane
Stove: Propane
Oven: Propane
Mattress: Yes
Open: Year-round

The Hut Experience

Staying in a backcountry hut is a shared, rustic experience. Sleeping, kitchen and living areas are communal, and foam mattresses, cooking and eating utensils are provided. Guests area expected to bring their own sleeping bags, food and personal items.

All of our huts are user-maintained, meaning that the custodial work of keeping the hut clean, chopping firewood and shovelling snow is done by the guests. The ACC provides major service and renovations to all of our huts each year to ensure they are in good repair.

There are no transition days between bookings. Guests are responsible to sanitize before and after use of the huts.

Download our hut cleaning and sanitation guidelines here.

SUMMER – HISTORIC LOG CABIN IN THE MEADOWS OF LAKE O’HARA

The Lake O’Hara area, with its sublime alpine lakes and scenery, amazing network of hiking trails and alpine routes is rightfully famous around the world as a hiker’s paradise.

The Elizabeth Parker (EP) Hut is located in a beautiful alpine meadow 500 metres from the shores of Lake O’Hara in Yoho National Park. This is one of the most accessible ACC huts and is very popular.

The Lake O’Hara area is a sensitive alpine area and Parks Canada has implemented a quota system to limit use and protect the area. Access to the Lake in the summer months is via a Parks Canada bus, which you can book through the ACC if you’re staying at the hut.

Note: High season rates apply in the summer months while the bus is running.

WINTER – COZY BASE FOR SKI TOURING

In the winter, the ski touring is as beautiful as the summer hiking. The scenery is stunning and as the approach trail follows the summer road, access is straightforward.

Wood stoves in both the main cabin and the Wiwaxy Cabin keep things cozy for large or small groups. Note: High season rates apply to Elizabeth Parker Hut from December 20 to April 30.

EP Hut fact: Elizabeth Parker was one of the founders of The Alpine Club of Canada in 1906. The huts were built in 1912 (Wiwaxy Cabin) and 1919 (main hut).

MEMBER RATES

Pricing is subject to change without notice.

*Winter high season rates apply Dec. 1 to April 30 annually.
*Summer high season rates apply mid-June to Thanksgiving annually.
*Pricing includes all Parks Canada Wilderness Pass fees.
*Pricing is subject to change without notice.

FACILITIES

Sleeping Capacity: 24 in summer, 20 in winter

Bedding: Mattress pads provided, bring your own sleeping bag

Cooking: Propane stove and oven – propane is supplied. Pots and pans, dishware and cutlery are provided. Fully-equipped kitchen suitable for groups

Bathroom: Outhouse

Lighting: Propane lighting – propane is supplied

Heat: Wood stove – firewood is provided

Water Source: Snow melt, Creek

RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

Summer

  • Trail Hiking
  • Scrambling
  • Mountaineering
  • Alpine Rock Climbing

Winter

  • Ski Touring
  • Ski Mountaineering

Summer Access: 

Parks Canada Bus: From June – September (2024 dates TBD), Lake O’Hara is reached by a Parks Canada bus. From the bus drop off in front of the Le Relais Cabin, a 10-minute hike takes you to the hut. You can make your bus booking at the time you make your hut reservation.  

The shuttle bus ran June 18th – October 23rd for 2023, and the schedule for 2024 is TBA. 

You can learn more about getting to the hut on our Lake O’Hara bus page and through Parks Canada. 

Hiking: During the summer peak season, it is recommended that you book the Parks Canada bus with your Elizabeth Parker Hut booking. During the shoulder season, when the bus is not operational, you may hike up the Lake O’Hara Road for 12 km.  

*Mountain bikes are not permitted on the Lake O’Hara Road. 

Winter Access: 

Skiing or Snowshoeing: The winter approach to Elizabeth Parker Hut is the same route as the hiking approach. From the parking lot, you can ski or snowshoe up the Lake O’Hara Road for 12 km (typically 4-5 hours). Parks Canada considers the access route simple Class 1 Avalanche Terrain; it is primarily forested terrain with some openings that cross runout paths.  

Trail Conditions: Parks Canada 

Approach Description: Printable PDF

 

ACC Members may make reservations up to 6 months in advance. To access this benefit, please LOG IN to your membership account and follow the prompts.

If you are not an active member, you may SIGN-UP to join a community of alpine enthusiasts.

Non-Members are welcome to make reservations up to 3 months in advance.

Please call our reservation team at 403-678-3200 ext. 0 if you are looking to make a booking within 1-week of check-in. 

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References And Links