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Stanley Mitchell Hut

Stanley Mitchell Hut

Built 1940

A family-friendly hut in summer, and a spectacular backcountry ski destination in winter. Summer – Stanley Mitchell is your base for exploring the backcountry hikes, scrambles and moderate mountaineering routes of the beautiful Little Yoho Valley. Winter – As the road to Takkakaw Falls is closed in winter, the ski approach to Stanley Mitchell involves a very long day. Those who venture in will have excellent backcountry ski terrain to themselves.
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Hut Facilities

  • Heat Source: Wood - Provided
  • Light Source: Propane - Provided
  • Stove: Propane - Provided
  • Oven: Propane
  • Bedding: Mattress
  • Water Source: Creek
  • Bathroom: Outhouse
Stanley Mitchell Hut Exterior
Stanley Mitchell Hut
Stanley Mitchell Hut Exterior
Stanley Mitchell Hut Exterior
Stanley Mitchell Hut Kitchen
Stanley Mitchell Hut Kitchen
Stanley Mitchell Hut Interior Wood Stove
Stanley Mitchell Seating Area
Stanley Mitchell Hut Seating Area
Stanley Mitchell Hut Sleeping Area
Stanley Mitchell Hut Sleeping Area
Stanley Mitchell Hut

Stanley Mitchell Hut Features

Family Friendly
Open All Year

Features

  • Trail Distance: 11km
  • Elevation Gain: 520m
  • Capacity: 22
  • Activities: Trail Hiking, Scrambling, Mountaineering, Alpine Rock Climbing

Family-friendly hiking hut

Fantastic trails and peaks, reasonable access and even a green meadow in front of the hut – the Stanley Mitchell is one of the best family backcountry destinations in the Rockies.

Many scrambling and hiking peaks and trails will keep the entire family busy for many summer days. Climbing the President and the Vice President are excellent moderate mountaineering challenges and are easily combined in a day with an early start from the hut.

Approaching the hut up the Little Yoho Valley and a making a return trip down the super-scenic Iceline Trail is a truly classic hiking loop.

Trail Access

In summer, the Little Yoho Valley trailhead is located on the north side of the Trans-Canada Highway, 21 km west of Lake Louise, Alberta and 3.7 km east of Field, BC. The turn-off to the trailhead is signed as “Takakkaw Falls” on the highway . Follow the Yoho Valley Road to the Takakkaw Falls parking lot (13 km from the highway). Park at the most northerly point (closest to the Parks Canada campground).

Summer approach:

The two common approaches to the Stanley Mitchell Hut are the Little Yoho Valley Trail and the Iceline Trail. Both originate at the Takakkaw Falls parking lot and follow well-developed National Park trail systems. It is more common to approach the hut on the former trail, and to hike the Iceline on the descent, to avoid the immediate gruelling uphill of this trail. Descending the Iceline allows you to hike toward, rather than away from, the spectacular scenery surrounding the trail. You will end up about 1 km from your car if you approach the hut on the Little Yoho Valley trail and descend the Iceline trail.

The Little Yoho Valley Approach is the most common way of getting to the hut. The trails are well developed and maintained, the route is well graded, and (including a few short optional diversions), very scenic.

Rates

Member Rates

  • Standard $50
  • Peak Season $60

    June 15 - October 15

Non Member Rates

  • Standard $60
  • Peak Season $70

    June 15 - October 15

Features

  • Trail Distance: 23km
  • Elevation Gain: 675m
  • Capacity: 22
  • Activities: Ski Touring, Ski Mountaineering, Ice Climbing
  • Technical Considerations: Avalanche Terrain

Incredible backcountry skiing destination

This is one of the coziest huts you’ll find anywhere in winter months. A long approach sets you up in a usually quiet lodge in the middle of nearly endless backcountry runs and exploration. The hut serves as the final stop for skiers on the Yoho Traverse from the Wapta Icefield. Chic Scott often refers to the hut in winter as the “Gem of the Rockies”. Enjoy.

Trail Access

Two routes are commonly used to access the hut in winter: the Little Yoho Valley approach, which gives access from the highway in a long one-day push, and the less common multi-day route across the des Poilus Glacier from the Wapta Icefield. Both routes are serious undertakings, and as a result this hut is used much less in the winter than in the summer months.

Rates

Member Rates

  • Standard $50

Non Member Rates

  • Standard $60

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Location

  • Takkakaw Falls, Yoho National Park

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Hut History

Along with A.O. Wheeler and Elizabeth Parker, Stanley Mitchell was responsible for founding the Alpine Club of Canada in 1906, and from 1907 to 1930 he served as its Secretary-Treasurer. He had a great reputation as a gentleman among his fellow founders and the executive of the Club, as well as the members he met at the Club House in Banff. He died in 1940, shortly after the hut which bears his name was completed. The Little Yoho Valley has long had a reputation as an excellent alpine climbing area as well as a magnificent skiing area. The Canadian military used the area during the summer of 1943 as a training site for mountaineering techniques. From 1954 to the mid-70s Hans Gmoser used the hut as a base for his new ski touring operation – a company which eventually became Canadian Mountain Holidays. The hut has undergone a few renovations, but is relatively the same as it was in 1940. It is presently in excellent condition; a comfortable facility set in beautiful meadow and mountain terrain, and a fine memorial to one of the Club’s founders. The Stanley Mitchell Hut was designated a Federal Heritage Building in 1997.

References and Links

Conditions May Apply

  • Pricing is subject to change without notice.

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