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STEED HUT ROUTES
The ski-tours around the Steed Hut are located at the headwaters of Granite Creek, Rush Creek and Glade Creek. The east-facing basin surrounding the hut, known as Marble Basin, is the primary ski touring area. It is bound by the 2240m south summit of Siwash Mountain to the north and by Marble Mountain (grid 673-652, NAD 83, unnamed on map) to the south. The steep and appealing runs from Marble Mountain down to Marble Lake can be fantastic when the conditions are right and you judge the avalanche danger as low. Some fine gentler options in times of higher avalanche danger can be found closer to the hut and along the south side of the ridge separating the Marble Lake basin and the headwaters of Rush Creek. Some of the terrain characteristics include: very good tree skiing, sub-alpine meadows, open bowls, a few cool ski peaks along with many steep avalanche paths. It is probably one of the best venues in the Bonnington range and is the ideal place to spend an extra night while doing the Bonnington traverse.
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View Steed Hut in a larger map
(This map is not meant to be used as a navigational aid but rather a visual indication of the route description.)
ROUTES:
1. Lost Marbles
2. Knuckle Down
3. Pony Up
4. Sunny Side Down
5. Upside Downright
6. Bright Eyes
7. Injury to Insult
8. Siwash Direct
For a full listing of backcountry huts, cabins and lodges check out the Interior Mountain cabins/huts/lodges page over here.
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A beautiful, steep, wide-open northeast facing run drops off the south peak of the Marble Lake basin directly down to the lake. Due to its aspect, the snow can remain nice long after the storm when southern aspects get sun-baked. Lost Marbles and its sister Knuckle Down can be accessed from the south ridge where the traverse descends to Steed Cabin. From the cabin head south, veering southeast up through the open face to the sharp ridge and proceed east along the ridge to the summit. A quality, long run that should only be attempted when avalanche risk is low. From the bottom, proceed up the basin to the hut or traverse up west to the up track for another shot on Knuckle Down. Elevation gain from the lake back to the top is 330m/1083'.
ROUTE: #1
ACCESS: Steed Hut
MAP: 82 F/6
TIME: 1-2 hours
ELEVATION GAIN: 130m/426’
ATES RATING: Not yet rated
A beautiful, wide-open northeast facing run runs off the south peak of the Marble Lake basin directly down to the lake. Due to its aspect, the snow can remain nice long after the storm when southern aspects get sun-baked. Knuckle Down shares the approach to Lost Marbles. From the Cabin, head south veering southeast up through the open pitch to the sharp ridge and proceed east along the ridge to the summit. A quality, long run that should only be attempted when avalanche risk is low. From the bottom, proceed up the basin to the hut or traverse up west to the up track for another memorable run. Elevation gain from the Lake back to the top is 390m/1280'.
ROUTE: #2
ACCESS: Steed Hut
MAP: 82 F/6
TIME: 1-2 hours
ELEVATION GAIN: 190m/624’
ATES RATING: Not yet rated
This short, east-facing run holds snow well and is an easy climb from the cabin. Multiple hot-laps can be made in the Pony Up area for consistently exciting runs. From the cabin, return on the traverse line south and gain the obvious ridge. From there, head south along the sharp ridge to the first peak. Descend back towards the cabin.
ROUTE: #3
ACCESS: Steed Hut
MAP: 82 F/6
TIME: 1 hours
ELEVATION GAIN: 170m/560’
ATES RATING: Not yet rated
From the top of Pony Up, descend west on the other side of the ridge from the cabin down through open glades and old growth for some fun tree skiing. This southwest slope can be sun affected so plan accordingly. To get back, climb to the traverse track and gain the ridge where you can take Pony Up or Upside Downright to the cabin. Elevation gain from the bottom of this route to the top again is 200m/656'.
ROUTE: #4
ACCESS: Steed Hut
MAP: 82 F/6
TIME: 2-3 hours
ELEVATION GAIN: 170m/560’
ATES RATING: Not yet rated
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To get to the top head due east of the cabin and up a shallow draw to the ridge. From there, head due north up the steep ridge to the summit. Note large cornices can build along this ridge and should be approached with caution. The due east face holds snow nicely and is a fun, short rip to the cabin.
ROUTE: #5
ACCESS: Steed Hut
MAP: 82 F/6
TIME: 1 hour
ELEVATION GAIN: 210m/690’
ATES RATING: Not yet rated
Located on the north end of Marble Lake basin, Bright Eyes is a fun pitch with sparse trees. But be cautious when the sun bakes it later in the day. Bright Eyes and its neighbour Upside Downright make good early morning runs. Due to steep exposure on the west and cornice build-up, it’s often safer to access Bright Eyes from the north ridge of Marble basin. Proceed along the traverse up-track to the north. Once you gain the ridge, climb east steeply. Note, sometimes cornices can make accessing the summit difficult and/or dangerous.
ROUTE: #6
ACCESS: Steed Hut
MAP: 82 F/6
TIME: 1 hour
ELEVATION GAIN: 230m/755’
ATES RATING: Not yet rated
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Injury to Insult is a fun northeast facing line that holds its snow well. As per Bright Eyes, climb the traverse route north and once on the ridge climb east steeply to the summit. Note cornice build-up is common at the top, which also affords a great view of Siwash Mountain. From the bottom, climb the traverse route south to the ridge and descend to the cabin.
ROUTE: #7
ACCESS: Steed Hut
MAP: 82 F/6
TIME: 2 hours
ELEVATION GAIN: 230m/755’
ATES RATING: Not yet rated
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As the highest peak in the Bonnington Range (2320m), Siwash Mountain is a nice bag if you can get it when it’s safe. The obvious way to approach Siwash from the Steed Hut is from the top of Injury to Insult/Bright Eyes. However, large cornice build-up on the east side of the ridge and dense, small trees on the west can make travel a challenge. It is also possible to access Siwash from the north ridge but it’s longer and has the same cornice challenges. From the peak of Siwash, ski an open face east into the broad bowl. From the bottom, climb the traverse route south to the ridge and descend to the cabin.
ROUTE: #8
ACCESS: Steed Hut
MAP: 82 F/6
TIME: 3-4 hours
ELEVATION GAIN: 280m/920’
ATES RATING: Not yet rated
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