Scott Duncan Hut

The ACC operates the largest network of backcountry huts in North America. This was the final hut to be established on the Wapta Icefield, a very nice addition to the chain of huts which now makes the Wapta Traverse one of the classiest and most comfortable ski traverses in all of North America! Balfour Hut is also a great base for a number of climbing objectives in the summer. See all of our huts here.

ACC Hut Bookings

  • 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).

The Southern End of the Wapta

This was the final hut to be established on the Wapta Icefield, a very nice addition to the chain of huts which now makes the Wapta Traverse one of the classiest and most comfortable ski traverses in all of North America! Yes, it is that good.

Most people make the Scott Duncan their final stopover when tackling the traverse, climbing over the Balfour High Col from the Balfour Hut then descending the Schiesser/Lomas route to Sherbrooke Lake after a night at the Duncan. Some folks will approach the hut from Sherbrooke and make it a base for the many objectives in the area, the most common being an attempt on Mt. Balfour via the normal route from the south.

The hut sleeps 12 both summer and winter and is well-equipped with propane stoves and lanterns, cooking supplies and foamies on the beds.

At A Glance

Location
General: On the NW shoulder of Mt. Daly, in Yoho National Park, B.C.
Map and Grid Reference: 82N/9 Hector Lake, Grid Ref: 417084
Hut Elevation: 2,773 metres (9,100 feet)
GPS: NAD83 11U 541506 5708750
Lat / Long: 51°31’ 42” / -116°24’ 06”
Rates
Open: Open all year
Rates: See Below
Access
Quick Description: From the North via the RJ Ritchie (Balfour) Hut or from the South (West Louise Lodge on the #1 Highway).
Approach Description: Printable PDF
How To Book

Check Availability

Other Huts in the Area

The Wapta Icefield is home to four ACC huts. See Whyte (Peyto), Bow and RJ Ritchie (Balfour) huts.

Rates

All hut pricing is subject to change without notice.

Summer 2022 (May 1 to October 30)

  ACC Member Non-Member
Price per night $40 $50

**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

Facilities

Sleeps 12
Mattress pads provided, bring your own sleeping bag
Propane stovetops (propane supplied)
Outhouse
Propane lighting – propane is supplied
Unheated
Snow melt

Recreational Opportunities

Summer
  • Mountaineering
Winter
  • Ski Touring
  • Ski Mountaineering

Access

Access to the Scott Duncan Hut is most often done from the Balfour Hut. It is possible to access the hut, and begin the Wapta Traverse from the south.

From the Balfour Hut: Over Balfour High Col and down the glacier toward Mt. Daly.

From West Louise Lodge: The route follows the east side of Sherbrooke Lake and follows Niles Creek.

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.

Scott Duncan Hut Video - Wapta Traverse