Conrad Kain Hut - Bugaboo Provincial Park (one way distances)

• 4.60 km
  Distance
  
• 715.15 m
  Elevation Gain
  
• 154 0 m
  Trail Head Elevation
  
• 2232.64 m
  Maximum Elevation
  
• 21.68 m
  Cumulative Elevation
  
• 5-7 hour(s)
  Average Time
  

Trail Description

This is another must-do hike if you are planning to spend any time in the Purcell Mountains. The hut is named after Conrad Kain, a legendary climber, philosopher and mountain guide. Kain arrived in the Purcells in 1910 after leaving his native Austria to work as a guide for the Alpine Club of Canada. Over the next 23 years, he logged 69 first ascents in Canada including the Howser Spire and Bugaboo Spire. The hut caters almost exclusively to climbers, but it is also a great destination for a day hike. The trail starts with boardwalks through marshy areas and a boulder field along the valley bottom. The first 1.5 km is relatively flat, a veritable walk in the park. But that changes quickly as the trail swings through the forest and up an avalanche slope at the base of a rock slide. The elevation gain over the next 3 km is about 700 metres, a real test of your hiking fitness. And it includes a couple of unique features; steps cut into the rock, concrete steps, chains to help you with handholds over some exposed areas, and then to cap it off, an aluminum ladder that climbs a rock face. That’s followed by more rock steps and chains before the trail gets back to a traditional mountain path as you make the final push to the hut. This is the heart of the area that was once Conrad Kain’s playground. Stunning views of vast glaciers encompassing the Bugaboo Spires will help you appreciate why this area attracts climbers from around the world. If you have the time and energy, hike up another kilometre to the Applebee Dome Campsite or follow some of the trails to the right of the hut for an even better view of the spires and the glaciers.

Directions to Trail Head

Set your odometer to zero at the traffic lights on Highway 93/95 at the Invermere junction. Head north to Radium for 13 km on Hwy 93/95. From the 4 way stop in Radium, continue on Highway 95 towards Golden. At 42 km turn left on Brisco Road (signed the Bugaboos). At 42.5 km cross the railway tracks and follow the road to the right. At 45.5 km keep right at the junction to stay on Brisco Road. At 47 km keep right at another junction to continue on Brisco Road. At 50.6 km turn left at the junction onto Westside Road. At 53.2 km stay right. At 64.5 km turn right at yet another junction. At 89.3 km turn right at the junction at the Bugaboo Provincial Park sign. The parking lot and trailhead for the Conrad Kain Hut are at 92 km.

Trail Surface

Variable outdoor terrain

Trail Season

Summer, early fall

Points of Interest

Uncommon Hazards

Must be comfortably able to navigate trail ladder.

Trail Features