Neil Colgan Hut

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 in summer and 16 in winter. It is well-insulated and warms up nicely when the stoves and lanterns are on and a few bodies are inside.

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.

Printable detailed approach description

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.