Hiding out in the backcountry of Garibaldi Provincial Park, a few ridges over from Whistler Mountain and nestled under the striking red rock of Fissile Peak, is one of the most impressive public mountain huts I’ve ever seen.
The Kees and Claire Hut is more than just a shelter; it’s a haven. A heated, boot room-equipped, coffee-plunger-carrying haven. For backcountry hikers (and skiers), it’s a little slice of luxury in the alpine. And as someone who has lived at the base of Whistler for over seven years, this is the one overnight hike I keep coming back to. I’ve done it five times, and a couple of summers ago, I took my parents with me.
Why Russet Lake Keeps Calling Me Back
There are several overnight hikes around Whistler that are world-famous, but Russet Lake often flies under the radar. That’s part of its charm.
The route I recommend skips the big ascent and heads straight into the alpine with a lift-assisted start via Whistler Blackcomb’s gondolas (you’ll need a lift ticket). This means you start with big mountain views from the very first step. As you get off the Peak Chair, you’ll be greeted with peaks in every direction.
Take a quick side trip across the Cloudraker Skybridge for panoramic views stretching all the way down the valley. Timed right, the meadows on the way to the hut will be teeming with wildflowers, as you look over the unbelievably blue Cheakamus Lake and out onto glaciated peaks as far as you can see.
Add to that a night in the Kees and Claire Hut, and this might be the best bang-for-your-buck hike in the Sea to Sky.
The Route: My Recommended Way In and Out to the Kees and Claire Hut
There are a few ways to get to Russet Lake, but this is the route I swear by:
- Start: Take the Blackcomb Gondola up from the Upper Village, ride the PEAK 2 PEAK across to Whistler, then hop on the Peak Chair to reach the summit. It’s worth it for the views from the top of the mountain! Buy your tickets here.
- Route Choice: From there, you can choose Matthews Traverse to Half Note, or the longer High Note Trail, depending on whether you want the direct or more scenic route.
- Link up with the Musical Bumps Trail, and make your way over Flute and Oboe.
- Hike up Cowboy Ridge (the steepest bit – you’ve been warned), and you’ll arrive at Russet Lake and the Kees and Claire Hut.
- Exit: Hike out via Singing Pass Trail, which winds gently downhill through the forest all the way back into Whistler Village. You finish right at the base of the mountain, ready for a burger and a beer.
Total Route Length: 9.5 kilometres in and 14 kilometres out.
Total hiking time: 3 to 5 hours in and 4 to 6 out, depending on pace (and how many photo stops you take).
Taking My Parents
Two of the best things about this hike are how light your pack can be, thanks to not needing heavy camping gear, and how much elevation gain you skip by riding Whistler Blackcomb’s gondolas straight to the alpine.
This made it the perfect overnight adventure to show my parents the incredible backyard I’m lucky enough to call home: soaking in the views, spotting alpine wildlife, and spending quality time together in the mountains.
While gondola access and lighter packs make this hike more accessible, it is still no stroll in the park. Climbing up and down mountains is no small feat, but one well worth pushing yourself to do!
The Kees and Claire Memorial Hut
The hut is the first in a proposed network of three huts being built for the challenging multi-day Spearhead Traverse. Luckily for us, the Kees and Claire Hut is easy for beginners to access as an overnight trip.
Built in memory of some local legends gone too soon, it sits on the unceded territories of the Skwxwú7mesh-ulh Temíx̱w, Lil’wat, and St̓át̓imc Tmicw First Nation. Take a moment to read their stories here.
The hut features an incredibly well-stocked kitchen upstairs, with epic views of the surrounding peaks, and a 38-bed dorm divided into six sleeping areas downstairs.
If you’re lucky with the weather, you’ll be soaking in pink alpenglow and stunning sunsets from the huge windows in the hut.
What I Packed (and What I Left at Home)
Staying at the hut means you can ditch a lot of the usual overnight gear. Here’s what I actually brought:
- Sleeping bag + pillow
- Headlamp
- Food for dinner, breakfast, and snacks
- Lightweight clothes, warm layers + rain gear
- Earplugs (bunk beds are communal!)
- A small garbage bag – there’s no trash collection
- Map + inReach (satellite communication device)
Remember: Always check you’re carrying the 10 essentials and leave a trip plan. For more safety advice, visit BC AdventureSmart.
What I didn’t need to bring: sleeping pad, stove, cookware, plates, hut shoes or utensils. The hut kitchen is incredibly well-stocked. They even have French presses and a teapot! Just maybe avoid smelly things like fish or anything that burns a lot of gas – it’s flown in and costs a fortune!
For a full list of what is provided, check out the information here.
Hot Tips for Your Trip to the Kees and Claire Hut
- Book early. The hut fills up fast in summer, especially on weekends. Click here to make a reservation.
- Get a Whistler Blackcomb sightseeing pass here.
- Check trail conditions: for the Whistler Blackcomb Trails, check here, and for the trails beyond the Whistler boundary, check here.
- The Singing Pass Trail: the last few kilometres feel long at the end. Bring gummy bears.
- Bring delicious food – make the most of having a full kitchen and a light pack – leave those dehydrated meals for other hikes!
- Parking: If you’ve booked the hut, you can park overnight in Lot 4 – just follow the signs or leave a note in your window with your reservation number.
Hut Etiquette: A Few Key Things
The Kees and Claire Hut is still a backcountry hut – not a hotel – so it runs on mutual respect. A few reminders:
- Pack it in, pack it out: There are no garbage facilities. Don’t leave anything behind – even apple cores or uneaten food.
- Clean up properly: Wipe down the counters, sweep, refill water jugs – leave it better than you found it.
- Quiet hours matter: People are tired, and sound really carries in a hut. Read one of the books from the library shelf or bring headphones if you’re a night owl.
Leave No Trace
It might look rugged up there, but alpine plants are delicate and slow-growing. Stick to the trails, don’t shortcut across meadows, and keep your impact light.
This hike is beautiful because people have taken care of it – let’s keep it that way.
Final Thoughts
This trip has everything I love about Whistler: big views, easy access to adventure, and a chance to disconnect.
If you’re looking for an overnight hike that’s beginner-friendly but still breathtaking, that offers comfort without losing the spirit of backcountry adventure – this is the one.
Do your research, come prepared, and bring someone you love. You won’t regret it.
