The ACC operates the largest network of backcountry huts in North America. The Neil Colgan Hut is the highest permanent, habitable structure in Canada and serves as the base for excellent alpine mountaineering objectives in the Valley of the Ten Peaks. See all of our huts here.
Trail distance: 7 km
Elevation Gain: 1067m
Trailhead: Moraine Lake, Banff National Park
Family Friendly: No
Activities: Backcountry skiing, Mountaineering
Technical Considerations: Technical Climbing
The Neil Colgan Hut is the highest permanent habitable structure in Canada and requires mountaineering equipment and experience to access. The Neil Colgan Hut is accessed from Moraine Lake via a long approach involving technical climbing and glacier travel. Once at the hut, there are numerous moderate alpine objectives close by, including many of the summits of the Valley of the Ten Peaks.
Capacity: 18
Hut Location: 51.2980, -116.1878
Heat: Unheated
Light: Propane
Stove: Propane
Oven: No
Mattress: Yes
Open: Summer only
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 Neil Colgan Hut is the highest permanent, habitable structure in Canada (edging out the Abbot Pass Hut by about 30 metres). Located in a col between Mts. Little and Bowlen, the Neil Colgan Hut serves as the base for excellent alpine mountaineering objectives in the Valley of the Ten Peaks.
The peaks of the Valley of the Ten Peaks are all over 10,000 feet, and the hut, at 9,700 feet is an ideal base for bagging these summits. It is standard to climb a number of peaks in a day, and it is not uncommon to stop back at the hut for lunch on the porch, or another cup of coffee between summits.
The routes accessible from the hut range from moderate scrambles up Mts. Little and Bowlen, just outside the hut, to the north face ice routes on Mts. Fay and Quadra. The many other peaks have difficulties somewhere in between.
The Colgan Hut is equipped with propane stoves and lanterns and is well-stocked with cooking supplies and foamies for 18 people. It is well-insulated and warms up nicely when the stoves and lanterns are on and a few bodies are inside.
Pricing is subject to change without notice.
Pricing is subject to change without notice.
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 fees and charges, including Parks Canada fees.
Beginning summer 2022, Parks Canada Wilderness Pass fees will not be added to your booking.
Sleeping Capacity: 18
Bedding: Mattress pads provided, bring your own sleeping bag
Cooking: Propane stovetops (propane supplied). Pots and pans, dishware and cutlery are provided.
Bathroom: The highest outhouse in Canada
Lighting: Propane lighting – propane is supplied
Heat: Unheated
Water Source: Snow melt
Summer
Moraine Lake Road: Access Update for 2023.
Perren Route: Trails along the north shore of Moraine Lake are followed by a stream crossing, scrambling, technical rock climbing and glacier travel. 5-7 hours.
Schiesser Ledges Route: Moraine Lake trails are followed by scrambling up ledges and glacier travel to the hut. Route finding can be difficult. 5-7 hours.
Prospectors Valley approach: From the Marble Canyon parking lot on Highway 93 the route follows Tokkum Creek to the site of the old Fay Hut. Trails, moraine and glacier are followed to the hut in 7-10 hours.
Quick Description: Rock climbing and glacier approach from Moraine Lake or long glacier approach from Prospectors Valley.
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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