Peyto Hut and the Mini Wapta – A Thousand Hilltops

Trip Details
Date: February 16-18, 2019
Total Elevation Gain: 820 m + 333 m
Total Distance: 11.2 km + 13.9 km
Round Trip Time: 7:17 + 7:11
Difficulty Notes:
Crevasse and avalanche hazard.

After complete the Wapta Traverse last Easter, I was itching to get back on the icefield. Of the two readily accessible huts (Peyto and Bow), Peyto was the obvious choice for me. I like the format of the Peyto and Balfour Huts: they are more intimate and have big windows with which to enjoy the view. I also didn’t get to see much of the Peyto area last year thanks to a couple of stormy days, so it was on the top of my list of areas to explore further. Finally, while the approach to Peyto Hut is longer and harder, I feel that it is safer than the approach to Bow Hut. When you are booking six months in advance and have no idea what the conditions might be, you want to tip the odds in your favor wherever you can.

Thankfully we were given stable avalanche conditions and some great clear weather! The approach day was long and a little overcast, but that night it cleared up and gave us two gorgeous days with which to enjoy the icefield. I was able to stand on the porch of Peyto Hut and survey the glacier. We made a ski ascent of Mt. Thompson, played cards and ate pie (and some croutons). With the stables conditions, and some guidance from Lisa, we decided to do the Mini Wapta Traverse and exit via Bow Lake. That way we got to see even more of the icefield and found a really cool ice cave.

All in all, it was great weekend. Thank you everyone who came out!

Day 1 – Approach to Peyto Hut

The key to getting to Peyto Lake is to walk down the road a little instead of skiing straight down from the parking lot.
After briefly following the Icefield Parkway, we were ready to ski down the old road.
Peyto Lake with Mt. Patterson in the background.
Crossing the Lake. Mt Jimmy Simpson on the left and Cauldron Peak on the right.
I don’t know what caused this hole in the ice, but it is disquieting.
A kite skier getting set up.
The group experimenting with a map and compass.
Row, row, row your boat, gently up the stream…
I didn’t expect to see this much water here…
Laura taking it in strides.
A second small creek crossing.
The moraine rears its head. It’s a long way up that thing.
A closer look at the moraine and Peyto Peak.
Ascending the slopes on the right. Getting a little bit of bush in before we leave it behind.
In my opinion, this slope represents the greatest avalanche hazard on the way to Peyto Hut. Take care crossing it.
Look what we found.
A frozen waterfall below Peyto Peak.
And so the climb up the moraine begins. This thing sucks way more life out of you than you’d expect.
Switchbacks are fun!
Just ask Becky.
Across the moraine and making out way towards the glaciology research station.
Roped up and climbing the glacier. It’s also starting to get a bit dark. 🙁
Looking back at Peyto Peak from near the top of the glacier.
We did it!
That outhouse is a sight for sore eyes.
Slowly making the final climb up to Peyto Hut.

Day 2 – Mt. Thompson

We spent our day “at Peyto Hut” summiting Mt. Thompson. I have a separate trip report dedicated to it.

http://athousandhilltops.com/mt-thompson/

Day 3 – Exit via Bow

The sun rises on Peyto Peak as we prepare to leave the hut.
Gotta love that outhouse.
Mt. Habel and Mt. Rhondda.
Making our way up the high point between Bow and Peyto Hut. The Peyto area lies behind us.
Mt. Thompson.
It’s the long gentle climbs that kill you. But look! There are peaks ahead.
Enjoying more of the icefield after finally summiting the rise. We were able to ski/free heel it all the way to Bow Hut from here.
The Onion stands guard over Bow Hut with the mighty Crowfoot Mountain behind it.
Portal Peak on the left.
Portal Peak and Mt. Thompson.
Some tracks on Mt. Rhondda.
The President and Vice President rise over the distant Little Yoho Valley.
Swapping leads.
Oops.
There’s a small incline by the Onion. We had cold, sticky conditions, so it wasn’t a problem.
Looking back on Portal and Thompson.
Becky is looking forward to skiing!
That extra bit of elevation was totally worth it. Trust me.
Starting to head downhill towards Bow Hut!
St. Nicholas Peak and the Vulture.
Turns! Mine are the ones on the far left.
The entrance to the ice cave. I have a whole section devoted to it below.
St. Nicholas Peak and another set of turns. It’s a great spot to ski, but it is still on the glacier.
The track starts to head down again after a short flat section. Lisa trying to get photos of us.
Descending down to Bow Hut.
Bow Hut. As you can see, it’s much bigger than Peyto Hut.
The view from the patio.
We had part of our lunch on the porch and part of it inside enjoying the warmth.
Making our way down from Bow Hut and about to ski the headwall (where we found a group skinning up).
The team traverses below the Vulture. It’s a pretty flat traverse.
The canyon opens up below us. A nice terrain trap.
Getting ready to head into the canyon a little further down.
Coming out of the canyon. The coverage was good, but you could definitely see running water.
Alas! There is a hill after the canyon.
Enjoy Bow Falls and Portal Peak from the top of the hill.
No expedition is complete without running into this guy.
Making our way down the gravel flats towards Bow Lake.
Bow Lake. Num-Ti-Jah Lodge and the end are in sight!
Cirque Forepeak and Crystal Ridge above the lake.
Bow Peak and Mt. Hector in the distance.
Crowfoot Mountain proudly watches over Bow Lake. We’re coming for you!