Glacier Circle Cabin

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.

ACC Hut Bookings

  • Bookings are exclusive for the entire hut. Rates are based on booking the hut, not per user.
  • Orders and Provincial guidelines for gatherings may change between the time of booking and scheduled arrival date. All hut users must meet current guidelines and restrictions for gatherings, even if those numbers are less than facility capacities. The ACC reserves the right to revoke any bookings that do not comply with the current order or guidelines at the time of your booking.
  • Please see the hut rates below and see our Booking Huts page for more information.
  • All guests with bookings at ACC huts are encouraged to read the latest provincial health regulations:
  • Covid Safety Plan (pdf).

Remote Hut in the Dawson Range

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.

At A Glance

Location
General: Below the crest of the Illecillewaet Neve in Glacier National Park, BC
Map and Grid Reference: 82 N/3 Mt Wheeler. Grid Ref 726689
Hut Elevation: 1,820m (5,900 ft)
GPS: NAD83 UTM 0472499 E 5669115 N
Lat / Long:
Rates
Open: Open all year
Rates: See below
Access
Quick Description: A 14-km approach, mostly on glacier. 8-12 hours.
Elevation Gain to Hut: 1425 m
Approach Description: Printable PDF
How To Book

Check Availability

Other Huts in the Area

The A.O. Wheeler Hut in Rogers Pass is often used as a staging area for trips into Glacier Circle.

Important notice from Glacier National Park

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: 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.

Rates
(Whole Hut)

All hut pricing is subject to change without notice.

Winter 2022 (Nov 1 to April 30)

  ACC Member Non-Member
Price per night $150 $165

**Winter bookings: are open for single or multiple night reservations with no schedule and no minimum number of nights.

There are no "transition days" in between bookings. All parties are responsible to sanitize the hut on arrival and before departing.

There are no COVID upgrades at these facilities. Guests should bring their own hand sanitizer, cleaning supplies, etc.

Check Hut Availability

Request a Hut Booking

Facilities

No mattress pads, bring your own
Coleman stove – bring green propane bottles
Outhouse
Lanterns – bring green propane bottles and spare mantels
Wood stove – firewood is not provided
Snow melt
Mattresses not provided

Recreational Opportunities

Summer
  • Mountaineering
Winter
  • Ski Touring
  • Ski Mountaineering

Access

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.

Printable detailed approach description

References and Links

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.