Elizabeth Parker hut

Geobox| alpine hut
name = Elizabeth Parker hut
native_name =
other_name =
category =


image_caption =
official_name =
etymology_type = Named for
etymology = Elizabeth Parker (journalist)
nickname =


symbol =
country = CAN
state_type = Province
state = BC
region = Yoho National Park
district =
municipality =
location = near Lake O'Hara
elevation_round = -2
elevation = 2040
prominence =
lat_d = 51 | lat_m = 21 | lat_s = 18 | lat_NS = N
long_d = 116 | long_m = 20 | long_s = 36 | long_EW = W
coordinates_no_title = 1
length = | length_orientation =
width = | width_orientation =
height =
depth =
volume =
area =
author_type = Built by
author = Canadian Pacific Railway
style = Log cabin
material = Wood
established_type = Built in
established = 1912
date =
government_type = Governed by
government = Parks Canada
owner_type = Owned by
owner = Alpine Club of Canada
public = Reservations required
visitation = | visitation_date =
access = from Lake O'Hara trailhead
whs_name =
whs_year =
whs_number =
whs_region =
whs_criteria =
iucn_category =
free_type = Capacity | free = 24 in summer / 20 in winter
free1_type = Heating | free1 = Wood stove
free2_type = Lighting & Cooking | free2 = Propane
free3_type = Sleeping | free3 = Dormitory style
free4_type = Drinking water | free4 = Creek (boil or filter)
free5_type = Human waste | free5 = Outhouse
free6_type = GPS coordinates | free6 = NAD83 11U 545726 5689508
free7_type = Map reference | free7 = 82N/8 (Lake Louise)
free8_type = Grid reference | free8 = 457983


map_caption =
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website = http://www.alpineclubofcanada.ca/facility/ep.html
footnotes =The Elizabeth Parker hut is an alpine hut located in Yoho National Park in British Columbia at an altitude of 2040 metres (6,700 feet) in small subalpine meadow about 500 metres west of Lake O'Hara. It is surrounded by some of the most spectacular mountain scenery in the Canadian Rockies. The hut actually consists of two buildings, the main hut itself and the nearby Wiwaxy cabin. It is maintained by the Alpine Club of Canada.cite book
last = Haberl
first = Keith
title = Alpine Huts: A guide to the facilities of the Alpine Club of Canada
publisher = Alpine Club of Canada
date = 1997
pages = pp. 52-60
isbn = 0-920330-32-0]

History

The hut was named after the journalist Elizabeth Parker, one of the founding members of the Alpine Club of Canada (ACC).

For many years, climber and surveyor A.O. Wheeler had a desire to begin a Canadian alpine club "similar to the European and other big alpine clubs of the world". In 1902 Wheeler tried to garner support for the idea through the country's leading newspapers. Elizabeth Parker, then on the staff of the Winnipeg Free Press, chastised him for his lack of patriotism. Wheeler then asked Parker to support his plan for a truly Canadian club. Largely due to the efforts of Elizabeth Parker and the Winnipeg Free Press, the Alpine Club of Canada was formed in Winnipeg on March 27, 1906. Mrs. Parker was one of six original honorary members.

The present Wiwaxy cabin, built in 1912 by the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) was the first hut in the Lake O'Hara area. In the same year the ACC was granted a two-acre lease for a future hut on the south shore of Lake O'Hara. In 1919, the CPR built the present Elizabeth Parker hut, and by 1923 had built a further 11 huts in the meadow. In 1923 - 1924, the CPR moved all but the first two huts down to the lake shore, and seven years later donated the last two in the meadow to the ACC. The club exchanged its lakeshore lease for a lease on the meadow, and in 1931 reopened the Elizabeth Parker hut for the use of its members.

The Elizabeth Parker hut has seen substantial renovations and upkeep over the years. It has had a new floor, a new roof, new timbers and new foundation logs, as well as completely new interior furnishings. The outhouses are new, a stove was added to the Wiwaxy cabin, and the entire meadow around the hut has been rehabilitated and reseeded. The Alpine Club has worked very hard to restore the appearance of the hut as closely as possible to its original state.cite book
last = Haberl
first = Keith
title = Alpine Huts: A guide to the facilities of the Alpine Club of Canada
publisher = Alpine Club of Canada
date = 1997
pages = pp. 52-53
isbn = 0-920330-32-0] The Canadian government designated the Elizabeth Parker hut as a Federal Heritage Building in 1997.

Access

The hut can be reached via Lake O'Hara Road, off the Trans-Canada highway from a parking area. The Lake O’Hara trailhead is located on the south side of the Trans-Canada, 12 km west of Lake Louise, Alberta and 13 km east of Field, British Columbia. The turn-off to the trailhead is signed on the highway. After crossing the railroad tracks, turn right and drive about 200 metres to the parking area.

ummer approach

The Elizabeth Parker Hut is actually two buildings: the main hut and the Wiwaxy cabin. The main hut consists of a large kitchen area and a living room which houses sleeping quarters, tables and a wood burning stove. The Wiwaxy Cabin has sleeping quarters only - users share the kitchen and living area with the main hut users.

The hut sleeps about 24 in summer and 20 in winter, split between the two buildings. Sleeping arrangements are dormitory style on thick foam mattresses. The main building sleeps up to 16 people comfortably on four-inch thick, covered foam mattress found on two long bunks. The Wiwaxy Cabin sleeps eight people comfortably on four-inch thick, covered foam mattress found on two bunk levels.

Heating is provided by a wood-burning stove in the main cabin, and another in the Wiwaxy Cabin during winter months only. Firewood is stored behind the outhouse. Users should replace all firewood used in the hut with cut and split wood from the pile. The hut has a good supply of tools including water buckets, axes, saws, shovels, etc.

The main hut is equipped with propane powered lamps, stovetop and oven. Propane is supplied via a large outdoor tank. Cookware, dishes and eating utensils are provided. Drinking water is available 30 m to the north of the hut from the creek which runs down from Odaray Mountain but should be boiled or filtered. [ cite web
last =
first =
title = Drinking Water In The Great Canadian Outdoors
publisher = Health Canada
date = 2007
url = http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ewh-semt/water-eau/drink-potab/water_outdoors-eau_plein_air_e.html
accessdate = 2008-01-02] An easily accessible pipe can be found under the bridge. During winter, there will be some unfrozen pools under the snow at the junction of two creeks approximately 80 m northeast of the hut.

Grey water disposal is in a ground sump next to the hut. People can drain grey water directly down the sinks, but should ensure that the strainer is in place under the drain. They should not allow any food scraps (including coffee grounds) to enter the grey water sump or it will become plugged. They should periodically empty the strainer contents into the fireplace. The grey water sump occasionally freezes in the winter. In this case, they should dump the grey water (strained of food particles) within a three meter radius of the outhouse.

The outhouse is located 25 m southwest of the front door of the main hut. People should not dispose of any garbage in the outhouse. All paper garbage and food scraps should be burned, and all other garbage and unused food packed out. In the summer, all recyclables which are clean and separated may be taken to "Le Relais" day shelter. Garbage can be deposited in Parks Canada containers at the nearby campground. In winter all garbage and recyclables must be packed out.

Requirements

* Combination lock number for the hut door (call the ACC office to confirm before going to the hut)
* Sleeping bag
* Toilet paper
* Newspaper for lighting the fire
* Matches
* First aid kit
* 9 volt battery for the smoke detector
* Reservation form from the ACC (with bus reservation information where applicable)
* Parks Canada overnight or annual wilderness pass (the former will be on your reservation form if you purchase it through the ACC). Parks Canada will ask to see your pass/receipt when you board the bus.

Activities

The hut is used as a base for mountaineering and a starting point for trips to the Abbot Pass hut.

The hiking in the Lake O'Hara area allows views of high jagged peaks, tumbling glaciers and pristine alpine lakes. There are a variety of trails in the area, ranging from short, flat trails to long, steep hikes that wind their way up into the alpine. [ cite book
last = Patton
first = Brian
coauthors = Robinson, Bart
title = The Canadian Rockies Trail Guide, 8th Edition
publisher = Summerthought
url = http://www.summerthought.com/canadian.rockies.trail.guide.htm
date = 2007
isbn = 0-9782375-0-1 ] Early summer provides an abundance of wildflowers and raging waterfalls, while fall displays lovely golden larch trees. Wildlife can be seen throughout the year. [ cite book
last = Gadd
first = Ben
title = Handbook of the Canadian Rockies
url = http://www.bengadd.com/BenGaddBooks.htm
publisher = Corax Press
date = 1996
isbn = 0-9692631-1-2 ] For those looking for a little more adventure, a visit to the Elizabeth Parker hut can be combined with a trip to the Abbot Pass hut perched high on the col between Mounts Victoria and Lefroy.

The Lake O'Hara area has an abundance of alpine rock climbing and mountaineering. Classics include Wiwaxy Ridge (5.7), Mt. Odaray (5.4/snow/ice), Mt. Hungabee (5.3/snow/ice), and Mt. Huber (scrambling and glacier). [ cite book
last = Dougherty
first = Sean
title = Selected Alpine Climbs in the Canadian Rockies
publisher = Rocky Mountain Books
date = 1993
isbn = 0-921102-14-3 ] There are a number of scrambles that one can do easily in a day from the Elizabeth Parker Hut. Wiwaxy Peak (via Wiwaxy Gap), Mt. Yukness, Mt. Shaeffer (from McArthur Lake) and Little Odaray all offer fine outings. [ cite book
last = Kane
first = Alan
title = Scrambles in the Canadian Rockies, 3rd Edition
publisher = Rocky Mountain Books
date = 1999
url = http://www.rmbooks.com/books/dousel.htm
isbn = 0-921102-67-4 ]

The Elizabeth Parker Hut is very popular for backcountry skiing in winter. It is one of the few ACC huts which can be reasonably reached with light cross-country skis. The ski touring in the area ranges from easy, flat tours to advanced ski mountaineering. [ cite book
last = Scott
first = Chic
title = Ski Trails in the Canadian Rockies, 3rd Edition
publisher = Rocky Mountain Books
date = 2002
url = http://www.rmbooks.com/books/scoski.htm
isbn = 0-921102-87-9 ]

The area has one well-known ice climb on Wiwaxy Peak – Sad and Beautiful World (160 m, WI 4). [ cite book
last = Josephson
first = Joe
title = Waterfall Ice Climbs in the Canadian Rockies, 4th Edition
publisher = Rocky Mountain Books
date = 2002
url = http://www.rmbooks.com/books/joswat.htm
isbn = 0-921102-68-2 ]

Parks Canada information

Elizabeth Parker hut is in Yoho National Park. All vehicles stopping in a National Park must have a Park Motor Vehicle Permit. Annual or single day permits can be purchased at most Park entrance gates and Park visitor centres. cite web
last =
first =
title = Fees
work = Yoho National Park
publisher = Parks Canada
date = 2007
url = http://www2.parkscanada.gc.ca/pn-np/bc/yoho/visit/tarifs_fees_e.asp?park=4
accessdate = 2008-01-02]

Banff, Jasper, Kootenay, Yoho, and Glacier National Parks collect a fee for backcountry overnight use in the Parks. The fees collected from the wilderness passes go towards maintaining trails, supplying the voluntary registration service, avalanche forecasting, backcountry bridge-building, etc. Overnight users of the Elizabeth Parker hut (ages 16 and over) are required to pay this fee. cite web
last =
first =
title = Fees
work = Yoho National Park
publisher = Parks Canada
date = 2007
url = http://www2.parkscanada.gc.ca/pn-np/bc/yoho/visit/tarifs_fees_e.asp?park=4
accessdate = 2008-01-02]

The maximum group size for hiking is 10 persons. If your group is larger, you will need to split into smaller groups.

It is recommended that anyone participating in hazardous activities in the backcountry register with the Park Wardens. This registration is free and is the best method of ensuring that someone comes looking for you should the worst happen. You can register at any Parks Canada Visitor Centre. [ cite web
last =
first =
title = Visitor Safety
work = Yoho National Park
publisher = Parks Canada
date = 2007
url = http://www2.parkscanada.gc.ca/pn-np/bc/yoho/visit/visit6_e.asp#voluntary
accessdate = 2008-01-02]

Nearby

* Lake O'Hara
* Abbot Pass
* Mount Victoria
* Mount Lefroy
* Wiwaxy Peak

Maps

* cite map
publisher = Chrismar Mapping Services
title = Lake O'Hara
scale = 1:20,000
series = The Adventure Map
year =
edition =
section =
url = http://www.chrismar.com/P03AMap.htm
isbn = 0-929140-39-7
accessdate = This map shows trails and area highlights in detail
* cite map
publisher = Gem Trek Publishing
title = Lake O'Hara
scale = 1:20,000
series = Guides for Hiking and Recreation in the Canadian Rockies
year =
edition =
section =
url = http://www.gemtrek.com/lakeohara.html
isbn = 1-895526-38-7
accessdate = This map shows trails and area highlights in detail
* cite map
publisher = Gem Trek Publishing
title = Lake Louise and Yoho
scale = 1:50,000
series = Guides for Hiking and Recreation in the Canadian Rockies
year =
edition =
section =
url = http://www.gemtrek.com/lakelouise.html
isbn = 1-895526-64-7
accessdate = This map shows the trails and highlights of the area.
* cite map
publisher = Canadian Government
title = 82N/8 (Lake Louise)
scale = 1:50,000
series = National Topographic System (NTS)
edition =
section =
url = http://maps.nrcan.gc.ca/index_e.php
accessdate = The "Alpine Club" cabin marked on the south shore of Lake O’Hara is not the Elizabeth Parker hut. The hut is located at grid reference 457893

References

Further reading

* Cite book
last = Scott
first = Jim
title = Backcountry Huts and Lodges of the Rockies and Columbias
date = 2002
publisher = Johnson Gorman Publishing
isbn = 0-921835-58-2
* cite book
last = Beers
first = Don
title = The Wonder of Yoho
publisher = Rocky Mountain Books
date = 2003
url = http://www.rmbooks.com/books/beewon.htm
isbn = 0-921102-29-1
* cite book
last = Copeland
first = Kathy
coauthors = Copeland, Craig
title = Don't Waste Your Time in the Canadian Rockies: The Opinionated Hiking Guide
publisher = Hikingcamping.com
date = 2004
url = http://hikingcamping.com/time_canadian_rockies.php
isbn = 0-9689419-7-4
* cite book
last = Corbett
first = Don
title = The 11,000ers of the Canadian Rockies
publisher = Rocky Mountain Books
date = 2004
url = http://www.rmbooks.com/books/cor11000.htm
isbn = 1-894765-43-5
* cite book
last = Gooch
first = Jane Lytton
title = Artists of the Rockies: Inspiration of Lake O'Hara
publisher = The Alpine Club of Canada
date = 2003
isbn = 0-968003-62-1

External links

* [http://www.alpineclubofcanada.ca/facility/ep.html Elizabeth Parker hut at the Alpine Club of Canada]
* [http://www.bivouac.com/GtxPg.asp?GtxId=220 Elizabeth Parker hut at bivouac.com]
* [http://www.weather.ec.gc.ca/ Weather forecasts from Environment Canada]
* [http://www.avalanche.ca/ Public avalanche bulletins from the Canadian Avalanche Centre]
* [http://www.pc.gc.ca/pn-np/bc/yoho/index_e.asp Yoho National Park] at [http://www.pc.gc.ca/index_e.asp Parks Canada]
* [http://earth.google.com/ Google Earth] Find the Elizabeth Parker Hut at 51° 21' 19.52" N, 116° 20' 38.69" W (or search for "Lake O'Hara")