Backcountry Hut and Lodge Adventures
Why Choose a Hut-Based Adventure?
While camping in the mountains has a rustic allure, there are times when it is nicer to have a roof over your head. Backcountry huts and lodges offer islands of civilization in the wilderness and are great destinations for being able to enjoy the hills without the complications of camping. Our hut-based adventures range in opulence from staying in more-homley small shelters to backcountry citadels complete with saunas and running water.
New for Summer 2025:
If you are interested in heading into the hills, but a bit worried about being out of touch with friends and family, we now have the option of adding a mobile backpackable satellite internet terminal (carried by your guide). Please contact us if interested in this option for your trip.
Note, power limitations limit data access to around 1 hour per day in the evening while at a campground or cabin.
Why Choose Starry Summit?
A guided backpacking adventure is a great way to start out or keep building your backcountry travel skills. Guests choose guided adventures for many reasons including:
Simplifying logistics (we provide food, lodge booking, transportation, and all relevant permits)
Safety (guides are skilled in managing backcountry hazards and certified in advanced wilderness first aid and emergency responses)
Learning about the landscape (gain local knowledge about natural history, wildlife, and plants)
Skill building (learn better backcountry travel, navigation, and self-sufficient wilderness expertise)
Less stressful travel (guides prepare meals, plan exciting day trips, and locate all the best viewpoints)
What is Included?
See Description on Each Specific Adventure for Details
Guiding
Park Visitor and Camping Fees
Food During the Adventure (breakfasts, lunches, dinners, and snacks)
Group Equipment (as required sleeping pads, cooking gear, water treatment equipment, bear spray, tarps, etc)
First Aid Equipment (carried by your guide)
Transportation To and From The Trailheads
What is Not Included?
See Description on Each Specific Adventure for Details
Accommodation and meals in the Jasper Townsite
Personal Equipment (i.e. hiking boots, clothing, etc. see list of recommended items on the page describing each adventure)
How Hard Are Trips, Is it for Me?
The adventures we offer vary in difficulty and duration. Hut based adventures allow for easier travel as we hike with day-packs and are a great option for those first getting into outdoor travel, or folks looking for a less stressful way to enjoy the landscape. Please see each individual adventure below for details.
On a regular day our adventures will normally travel between 10-20 km with between 500-1000 m of elevation gain. We recommend each guest start training for their adventure by day-hiking, climbing stairs, and other activities prior to setting off to improve their experience while out in the wilderness.
Why Choose a Hut-Based Adventure?
While camping in the mountains has a rustic allure, there are times when it is nicer to have a roof over your head. Backcountry huts and lodges offer islands of civilization in the wilderness and are great destinations for being able to enjoy the hills without the complications of camping. Our hut-based adventures range in opulence from staying in more-homley small shelters to backcountry citadels complete with saunas and running water.
New for Summer 2025:
If you are interested in heading into the hills, but a bit worried about being out of touch with friends and family, we now have the option of adding a mobile backpackable satellite internet terminal (carried by your guide). Please contact us if interested in this option for your trip.
Note, power limitations limit data access to around 1 hour per day in the evening while at a campground or cabin.
Why Choose Starry Summit?
A guided backpacking adventure is a great way to start out or keep building your backcountry travel skills. Guests choose guided adventures for many reasons including:
Simplifying logistics (we provide food, lodge booking, transportation, and all relevant permits)
Safety (guides are skilled in managing backcountry hazards and certified in advanced wilderness first aid and emergency responses)
Learning about the landscape (gain local knowledge about natural history, wildlife, and plants)
Skill building (learn better backcountry travel, navigation, and self-sufficient wilderness expertise)
Less stressful travel (guides prepare meals, plan exciting day trips, and locate all the best viewpoints)
What is Included?
See Description on Each Specific Adventure for Details
Guiding
Park Visitor and Camping Fees
Food During the Adventure (breakfasts, lunches, dinners, and snacks)
Group Equipment (as required sleeping pads, cooking gear, water treatment equipment, bear spray, tarps, etc)
First Aid Equipment (carried by your guide)
Transportation To and From The Trailheads
What is Not Included?
See Description on Each Specific Adventure for Details
Accommodation and meals in the Jasper Townsite
Personal Equipment (i.e. hiking boots, clothing, etc. see list of recommended items on the page describing each adventure)
How Hard Are Trips, Is it for Me?
The adventures we offer vary in difficulty and duration. Hut based adventures allow for easier travel as we hike with day-packs and are a great option for those first getting into outdoor travel, or folks looking for a less stressful way to enjoy the landscape. Please see each individual adventure below for details.
On a regular day our adventures will normally travel between 10-20 km with between 500-1000 m of elevation gain. We recommend each guest start training for their adventure by day-hiking, climbing stairs, and other activities prior to setting off to improve their experience while out in the wilderness.
(MODERATE) There are few more storied or scenic valleys in Jasper National Park than the Tonquin. Postcard perfect views of The Ramparts (an impressive range of quartzite mountains), Amethyst Lakes, and not to mention glaciers give visitors an excellent look at what the Canadian Rockies has to offer. The Tonquin Valley is also home to a wide array of wildlife including bears, mountain goats, and one of the few remaining herd of woodland caribou in the Rockies.
This adventure is based out of the historic Wates-Gibson Hut. Constructed in 1959 by the Alpine Club of Canada, the Wates-Gibson Hut is a great base for exploring the Tonquin Valley in both summer and winter. The hut, a large wood cabin, is fully equipped with a well-stocked kitchen, sleeping pads, and wood stove that lets us keep our pack weight low. From the hut we have many options for scenic day-trips to get the most out of the Tonquin. This trip is normally run as a traverse heading into the hut via the Astoria River Trail and exiting via a long but scenic day down Portal Creek.
For a shorter final day we can also retrace our steps back along the Astoria River Trail.
(4 Day Guided Backcountry Hut Based Adventure)
August 5-8, 2025 (5 Spaces Remain Open)
(4 Day Guided Backcountry Hut Based Adventure)
August 5-8, 2025 (5 Spaces Remain Open)
(MODERATE) There are few more storied or scenic valleys in Jasper National Park than the Tonquin. Postcard perfect views of The Ramparts (an impressive range of quartzite mountains), Amethyst Lakes, and not to mention glaciers give visitors an excellent look at what the Canadian Rockies has to offer. The Tonquin Valley is also home to a wide array of wildlife including bears, mountain goats, and one of the few remaining herd of woodland caribou in the Rockies.
This adventure is based out of the historic Wates-Gibson Hut. Constructed in 1959 by the Alpine Club of Canada, the Wates-Gibson Hut is a great base for exploring the Tonquin Valley in both summer and winter. The hut, a large wood cabin, is fully equipped with a well-stocked kitchen, sleeping pads, and wood stove that lets us keep our pack weight low. From the hut we have many options for scenic day-trips to get the most out of the Tonquin. This trip is normally run as a traverse heading into the hut via the Astoria River Trail and exiting via a long but scenic day down Portal Creek.
For a shorter final day we can also retrace our steps back along the Astoria River Trail.
(INTRODUCTORY TO MODERATE) Perched near the border of Mount Robson Provincial Park, the Dave Henry Lodge is right in the middle of a multitude of pristine Rockies hiking terrain. The lodge is accessed by helicopter from the community of Valemount via a 15 minute flight. With the lodge as a base, we can day-hike to scenic ridgecrests, visit tranquil lakes, and glimpse a sea of peaks near and far.
(4 Day Guided Backcountry Lodge Based Adventure),
Contact Us For Dates For This Adventure
(MODERATE) Tucked away west of the Icefields Parkway, the Fryatt Valley is home to the quintessential Canadian Rockies mountain experience. Glacially colored lakes, soaring mountain peaks, and peaceful forest make the Fryatt Valley an unforgettable destination.
This adventure is based out of the Sydney Vallance (also known as Fryatt Valley) Hut. Operated by the Alpine Club of Canada, the hut was built in 1970 and is well-equipped with a wood stove, sleeping pads, and an extensive selection of cooking equipment. The hut makes a perfect starting point to explore the upper Fryatt Valley. This trip is an out-and-back starting and exiting via the Fryatt Valley Trail.
(4 Day Guided Backcountry Hut Based Adventure)
Contact Us For Dates For This Adventure
(4 Day Guided Backcountry Hut Based Adventure)
Contact Us For Dates For This Adventure
(MODERATE) Tucked away west of the Icefields Parkway, the Fryatt Valley is home to the quintessential Canadian Rockies mountain experience. Glacially colored lakes, soaring mountain peaks, and peaceful forest make the Fryatt Valley an unforgettable destination.
This adventure is based out of the Sydney Vallance (also known as Fryatt Valley) Hut. Operated by the Alpine Club of Canada, the hut was built in 1970 and is well-equipped with a wood stove, sleeping pads, and an extensive selection of cooking equipment. The hut makes a perfect starting point to explore the upper Fryatt Valley. This trip is an out-and-back starting and exiting via the Fryatt Valley Trail.
(4 Day Guided Backcountry Lodge Based Adventure)
Contact Us For Dates For This Adventure
(INTRODUCTORY TO MODERATE) Perched near the border of Mount Robson Provincial Park, the Dave Henry Lodge is right in the middle of a multitude of pristine Rockies hiking terrain. The lodge is accessed by helicopter from the community of Valemount via a 15 minute flight. With the lodge as a base, we can day-hike to scenic ridgecrests, visit tranquil lakes, and glimpse a sea of peaks near and far.