Facility Details - BARBER CABIN, AK

Overview

Barber Cabin offers a remote lodging experience on the Eastern Kenai Peninsula of south-central Alaska. The rustic cabin has few amenities, but provides access to the great outdoors and a scenic mountain lake. There is great fishing in Lower Russian Lake, and hiking and biking trails abound. Wildlife viewing is good in the area as well, though visitors should watch out for bears.

Visitors must either hike, bike, ski or fly to the site, depending on conditions. The cabin is more than 3 miles from the nearest parking area. The route is longer in the winter. Visitors are responsible for their own travel arrangements and safety, and must bring several of their own amenities.

Natural Features:

The cabin is close to Cooper Landing off Sterling Highway, in a fairly flat area on the east shore Lower Russian Lake. It is surrounded by a scattered spruce forest, and meadows with shrubs and brush, providing scenic mountain views.

A variety of wildlife make its home in the area, including moose, black and brown bears and wolves. The surrounding area has a particularly high concentration of bears. For other information on access and regulations pertaining to this cabin, trail conditions, safety precautions, and outdoor safety and ethics, please contact the Seward District office.

Recreation:

Visitors enjoy boating and rainbow trout fishing on Lower Russian Lake. A rowboat with oars is provided at the cabin. Fishing equipment is not provided and permits are required to fish in the state (click here for Alaska Department of Fish & Game regulations). The lake freezes during winter months.

A variety of trails and unexplored areas exist near the cabin. Hikers and bikers can explore varying terrain, including muskeg, meadows and high-canopied forest along the 21-mile Russian Lakes Trail, toward the Upper Russian Lake Cabin. There is a high avalanche hazard on Russian Lakes Trail in the winter (learn about avalanche safety). Snow can remain on the trail until early June. Hunting is popular along the trail and in the surrounding area.

Facilities:

The 16x20-ft. accessible log cabin sleeps four comfortably, but can accommodate a maximum group size of eight people. The cabin has wooden bunks, a table, benches and a wood stove for heat. An outhouse, splitting maul, saw and rowboat with oars are also provided.

There is no electricity, potable water, mattresses, bedding, cooking utensils or cut firewood at the cabin. Visitors should bring sleeping bags and pads, a cook stove, cooking gear and food. Water taken from the lake should be treated or boiled before consumption.

Activities and Amenities

Within Facility
Accessible Sites Bunkbed(s) Cabin Rentals Cross Country Skiing Dock Fishing Hiking	Lake Access Mountain Biking Non-Motorized Boating Snowshoeing Table & Benches Vault Toilets Wood Stove

Know Before You Go

This facility is located in an extremely remote and wild area; before making a reservation, become aware of bear, water, and weather safety (including cold)
Recreating in Alaska can present both obvious and hidden dangers; please be aware of your surroundings and be prepared for extended stays due to occasionally poor weather
Access is closed to all motorized vehicles
Bears frequent the area; keep food and garbage in appropriate containers
There is no source of fresh water near the cabin; guests must bring their own, or boil and treat water taken from the lake
Use of this cabin by a commercial operator, such as an outfitter or guide, is not allowed
All garbage and food must be packed out
Learn more about Chugach National Forest

Getting There:

GPS Info. (Latitude, Longitude):
60.43778, -149.985
60°26'16"N, 149°59'6"W

Access by hiking, horseback riding, biking, skiing or snowshoeing along the Russian Lakes Trail, 3.3 miles from Russian River Campground parking area. Turn onto Barber Cabin spur trail at mile 2.5. The route is 4.2 miles in the winter and follows the campground entrance road, the summer trail for 1.8 miles, then a marked winter route and across the frozen surface of Lower Russian Lake.

Via floatplane, the cabin is 25 minutes from Seward or Cooper Landing. Refer to USGS topographic map Seward B8. Maps are available online or by calling the Seward Ranger District at (907) 224-3374.

Winter travelers need to be able to evaluate avalanche and over-ice travel conditions. For current travel conditions, call the district office. Motorized access is prohibited year-round. The trail is closed to horse/pack stock from April 1 to June 30.