The ACC operates the largest network of backcountry huts in North America. The Glacier Circle Cabin is located in the Dawson Range of the Selkirks, near a small lake in the deep cirque bound by Mt. Macoun, Mt. Fox, Mt Selwyn and Mt. Topham. See all of our huts here.
Trail distance: 14 km
Elevation Gain: 1425m
Trailhead: Asulkan Parking, Glacier Natinal Park
Family Friendly: No
Activities: Backcountry skiing, Hiking, Mountaineering
Technical Considerations: Glacier Travel, Avalanche Terrain; ATES Class 3
Glacier Circle Cabin is a small log cabin built in 1922 and located in a deep, forested cirque in the Dawson Range of Rogers Pass. It is rarely visited due to its remote location and difficult access. The Dawson Range is home to some classic moderate mountaineering routes on Macoun, Fox, Selwyn and Topham. The approach is across the Illecillewaet Neve. Though not usually a backcountry ski destination, it is used as a stopover on the Bugaboos to Rogers Pass ski traverse. This facility has minimal supplies and users must be prepared to be self-sufficient.
Capacity: 6
Hut Location: 51.1723, -117.3932
Heat: Wood stove – firewood is not provided
Light: Lanterns – bring your own propane bottles
Stove: Stove – bring your own white gas
Oven: No
Mattress: No
Open: Year-round
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.
The Glacier Circle Cabin is located in the Dawson Range of the Selkirks, near a small lake in the deep cirque bound by Mt. Macoun, Mt. Fox, Mt Selwyn and Mt. Topham. The cabin is usually accessed via the Illecillewaet Neve (14 km from the Illecillewaet campground). Most popular access is the Illecillewaet route, then Deville Glacier route. Knowledge of safe glacier travel techniques and whiteout navigation skills are required.
The Glacier Circle cabin has a capacity of up to 8 people. The cabin contains a wood stove, wood, ax and saw, limited cookware, and cutlery, a Coleman stove and lantern, but no fuel. Water source is Fox Creek, a large stream 150 meters from the cabin. The historic Glacier Circle Cabin was rebuilt in 2006, with a new foundation, new roof, walls, front porch and outhouse. Note: there are no mattresses at the hut. Firewood is not provided. It is suggested that groups bring tie-on mantels for the Coleman lanterns.
The A.O. Wheeler Hut in Rogers Pass is often used as a staging area for trips into Glacier Circle.
An overnight parking permit is required (free of charge) when accessing the Glacier Circle Cabin from the Illecillewaet Valley or Illecillewaet Campground trailheads.
In person:
July – September at the Illecillewaet Campground kiosk.
October – June at the Rogers Pass Discovery Centre.
Check the Glacier National Park website for hours of operation.
By phone:
250-837-7500 ext. 4.
You will need the group leader’s name, destination, number of people in group, license plate of ALL vehicles being left at the trailhead, and your ACC reservation number. Winter users must verify whether planned routes require a Winter Permit.
Summer (May 1 to October 30)
There are no pre-set booking schedule for these dorm-style huts. Guests may book and stay for any period.
Overnight rates are inclusive of all ACC hut fees and charges, and do not include national park pass fees.
Sleeping Capacity: 8
Bedding: No mattress pads, bring your own
Cooking: Stove – bring your own white gas. We recommend bringing your own stove.
Bathroom: Outhouse
Lighting: Lanterns – bring green propane bottles and spare mantels
Heat: Wood stove – firewood is not provided
Water Source: Snow melt
Other: Mattresses not provided
Summer
Winter
Summer Approach: From the Illecillewaet Campground, the glacier is followed to its southern end. The hut is located in a deep cirque-like amphitheatre and can be difficult to find.
Winter Approach: In winter, the hut is used by skiers on the Bugaboos to Rogers Pass Traverse. It can be accessed via the Deville Glacier.
Quick Description: A 14-km approach, mostly on glacier. 8-12 hours.
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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