Sapphire Col Hut

The ACC operates the largest network of backcountry huts in North America. Located between The Dome and Castor Peaks on the Asulkan ridge, the Sapphire Col Hut gives access to high-quality quartzite mountaineering on the ridges and faces of the the Asulkan Group. 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).

Quartzite Mountaineering High in Rogers Pass

Located between The Dome and Castor Peaks on the Asulkan ridge, the Sapphire Col Hut gives access to high-quality quartzite mountaineering on the ridges and faces of the the Asulkan Group. Sapphire Col is above the tree line in serious avalanche terrain and requires travel on a crevassed glacier. Getting to the hut requires mountaineering equipment and skills, knowledge of safe glacier travel techniques and whiteout navigation skills.

Sapphire Col Hut is a basic mountaineering shelter. Apart from a toilet system, this metal bivouac shelter is unequipped; with no heat, stove, utensils or sleeping pads. Water is obtained from a nearby melt pond or by melting snow.

At A Glance

Location
General: High in the Asulkan Valley in the Rogers Pass area of Glacier National Park
Map and Grid Reference: 82 N/3 (Mt Wheeler), grid 651732
Hut Elevation: 2,590 m (8,500 ft)
GPS: 
Lat / Long:
Rates
Open: Open all year
Rates: See below
Access
Quick Description: A 4 km mountaineering route beginning at the Asulkan Cabin.
Approach Description: Printable PDF
How To Book

Check Availability

Other Huts in the Area

A mountaineering loop can be done beginning at the Wheeler Hut, then to Asulkan Cabin and ending at Sapphire Col. Note: this route is exposed to ice fall and other hazards. A descent via the Lily Glacier completes the loop. Advanced to Expert backcountry travelers only.

Important notice from Glacier National Park

An overnight parking permit is required (free of charge) when accessing the Sapphire Col Hut 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 $50 $55

**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
No stove provided – bring your own stove and fuel
Outhouse
No lights
Unheated
Snow melt
Mattresses not provided

Recreational Opportunities

Summer
  • Mountaineering
  • Alpine Rock Climbing
  • Trail Hiking
Winter
  • Ski Touring
  • Ski Mountaineering

Access

Summer access to Saphire Col follows the route to the Asulkan Cabin and then steeply across rock and the Asulkan Glacier to the col between Dome and Castor Peaks. This route is only recommended for experienced mountaineers. The hut is open all year but is seldom used in winter.

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.