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The Alpine Club of Canada

Stanley Mitchell Hut

Stanley Mitchell Hut fact: This hut was the original lodge used by Hans Gmoser for his ski touring company that eventually became Canadian Mountain Holidays.

Stanley Mitchell Hut

The ACC operates the largest network of backcountry huts in North America. The Stanley Mitchell Hut is a historic log cabin situated in outstanding backcountry skiing and hiking terrain in Yoho National Park, BC. See all of our huts here.

At A Glance

Trail distance: Summer: 11 Km, Winter 23 km,
Elevation Gain: Summer 520 m, Winter 675 m
Trailhead:  Takkakaw Falls, Yoho National Park    
Family Friendly: Yes (summer), No (winter)
Activities: Mountaineering and Scrambling, Day Hiking, Backcountry Skiing
Technical Considerations: Avalanche Terrain; ATES Class 3

A family-friendly hut in summer, and a spectacular backcountry ski destination in winter. Summer – Stanley Mitchell is your base for exploring the backcountry hikes, scrambles and moderate mountaineering routes of the beautiful Little Yoho Valley. Winter – As the road to Takkakaw Falls is closed in winter, the ski approach to Stanley Mitchell involves a very long day. Those who venture in will have excellent backcountry ski terrain to themselves. Winter access via a 23km ski.

Capacity: 22
Hut Location: 51.5256, -116.5643
Heat: Wood
Light: Propane
Stove: Propane
Oven: Propane
Mattress: Yes
Open: Year-round

FAMILY-FRIENDLY HIKING HUT

Fantastic trails and peaks, reasonable access and even a green meadow in front of the hut – the Stanley Mitchell is one of the best family backcountry destinations in the Rockies.

Many scrambling and hiking peaks and trails will keep the entire family busy for many summer days. Climbing the President and the Vice President are excellent moderate mountaineering challenges and are easily combined in a day with an early start from the hut.

Approaching the hut up the Little Yoho Valley and a making a return trip down the super-scenic Iceline Trail is a truly classic hiking loop.

Note: High season rates apply at Stanley Mitchell Hut in the summer months while the Takakkaw Falls Road is open. New to ACC huts? Check out our page on Frequently Asked Hut Questions .

INCREDIBLE BACKCOUNTRY SKIING DESTINATION

This is one of the coziest huts you’ll find anywhere in winter months. A long approach sets you up in a usually quiet lodge in the middle of nearly endless backcountry runs and exploration. The hut serves as the final stop for skiers on the Yoho Traverse from the Wapta Icefield. Chic Scott often refers to the hut in winter as the “Gem of the Rockies”. Enjoy.

MEMBER RATES

Pricing is subject to change without notice.

Summer (May 1 to Oct 30)

FACILITIES

Sleeping Capacity: 22

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.

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

Winter

  • Ski Touring
  • Ski Mountaineering

Summer Access: 

Little Yoho Valley: A pleasant 3 to 4 hour hike with 520 metres (1,700 feet) on well-maintained national park trails beginning at the Takkakaw Falls parking lot. 

Iceline Trail: An alternative to the Little Yoho Valley Trail (above). The distance and elevation gain are similar. This trail is often used on the return trip to the parking lot, providing an excellent loop trip with lots of varied terrain. 

Winter Access: 

Little Yoho Valley: The Yoho Valley Road (To Takkakaw Falls) is closed in the winter, so you will need to ski 14 km up the road from the parking area at the bottom of the hill, 4km east of Field, BC. From Takkakaw Falls, the winter approach to the hut follows the same 10 km trail as in the summer.  

*Check seasonal closures for the Yoho Valley Road (to Takakkaw Falls) on the Parks Canada website. Typically, the road is open from late June to mid-October.  

Quick Description: Summer: 10 km hike from Takakkaw Falls, BC. Winter: A full-day (or 2 day) ski from the highway. 
Elevation Gain to Hut: 520 m (1,700 ft) 
Approach Time: Summer: 3-4 hours; Winter: 8-12 hours. 

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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The Hut Experience

Staying in a backcountry hut is a shared, rustic experience. Sleeping, kitchen and living areas are communal. 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.

References And Links