Robson Pass Hut: Progress on the Build and Joy on the Trail
Robson Pass Hut: Progress on the Build and Joy on the Trail
Story and photos by Tamasin Langton
When an ACC staff member goes on vacation, it’s likely that they are heading to the mountains. Last week, my partner Peter and I were lucky enough to head out along the Berg Lake Trail under clear blue skies. These campsites are incredibly difficult to book, as it is one of the most stunning multi-day hikes in all of Canada!
It was only last month that I visited the construction site of the Robson Pass Hut to take photos for the ACC, so this was a fortuitous opportunity to check out the progress, and of course, to say ‘hello’ to the hard working and friendly Ennadai Woodworks crew.
Standing on the trail, the Robson Pass Hut is almost invisible, shrouded in the forest. Once you cross the stream and enter the forest yourself, you can’t help but think “woah!” as you take in its towering height and impressive construction design. Every exterior wall is up, and the team were in the process of adding heavy duty insulation. The slanted roof is also almost complete. On the inside of the hut, copious sunlight shines in through the many windows, filling the space with golden light. The wood smelled warm and dry. It is just a lovely place to be, in the already-most-amazing landscape in the Rockies (in my new, humble opinion).
From the southwest–facing windows of the hut, you can see across to the Robson Glacier. There is a trail that ventures towards the glacier and then switchbacks its way northwest to Snowbird Pass, where one is rewarded with expansive views of the Coleman Icefield. It’s nine km each way, and thanks to staying here at Robson Pass, we were able to complete this amazing day trip. We were in absolute awe of Mount Robson, the glacier, and the incredibly complex terrain shining in the sun, and I couldn’t stop taking photos. It made me think of the endless possibilities for hiking, climbing, and skiing adventures that will be opened up to anyone staying at the Mount Robson Hut. Because we stayed here, we were able to do what was perhaps the most stunning hike of my life!
The road to building this hut has not, however, been easy. The project is funded entirely by donations, and the ACC is working hard to reach its goal. Terrain complications and wet weather has set the construction back, making it a race to complete the hut before winter takes hold. Right now, the team is working to finish the exterior so that they can move into the hut when it becomes too cold to continue sleeping in their tents. The stream that provides their drinking water is threatening to run dry, and the camp-cook Pierre will have to move on before the hut is complete! I thought regular construction work was already hard – never mind construction in the backcountry.
The Ennadai crew, however, were in high spirits and made us feel at home. Pierre served us home-made shepard’s pie followed by chocolate brownie, which could have been the finest meal Peter and I had ever eaten in contrast to the dehydrated food we’d been eating for days. The Robson Pass Hut, once complete in summer 2026, will enable all adventurers to enjoy better food, socializing and rest than when tent camping. I am so incredibly excited to sleep there in that beautiful hut, and incredibly thankful to the founding donors and all subsequent donors that have made this dream a reality.
If you would like to donate to the construction of the Mount Robson Hut, hit the button below and be a part of history in this truly magnificent place!
Be a Part of History
Help build the ACC’s new hut at Mount Robson, the Crown Jewel of the Rockies
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