Facility Details - SALMON LAKE CABIN SITKA, AK

Overview

Salmon Lake Cabin sits on the east shore of Salmon Lake on Baranof Island, 11 miles southeast of Sitka, Alaska. The cabin was built in 1998 by volunteers from the U.S. Coast Guard.

This remote site is generally accessible year-round by boat to Silver Bay, then walking 2 miles along the Salmon Lake-Redoubt Lake Trail. The cabin can also be accessed via float plane, a 10-minute ride from Sitka. Visitors are responsible for their own travel arrangements and safety, and must bring their own amenities.

Natural Features:

Spruce and hemlock-forested mountains rise to 2500' in elevation around Salmon Lake and the cabin. Salmon Lake is approximately 3/4-mile long and 1/4-mile wide. The cabin is 2 miles from the end of Silver Bay, which may freeze mid-November through mid-February. Brown bear frequent the area.

Recreation:

Recreation options include fishing, hiking and seasonal deer hunting. The lake offers good cutthroat trout and Dolly Varden fishing, while its outlet stream has pink and sockeye salmon runs from July to mid-August and coho salmon from late August through September.

Visitors enjoy hiking along the 2-mile Salmon Lake-Redoubt Lake Trail, which leads from the cabin to Silver Bay.

For information about fishing and hunting permits and seasons, visit the Alaska Department of Fish and Game website.

Facilities:

The 15'x17' wood Pan Abode-style cabin accommodates up to six people with two double and two single plywood bunks. Amenities include a wood stove for heat, a table with benches, cooking counter, cupboard, broom, an axe or splitting maul and an outhouse toilet.

A mooring buoy is located at the head of Silver Bay for boat anchorage. Cabin reservation does not include exclusive use of the buoy. Mooring buoys are configured using a 4200-lb concrete block with 90 feet of 7/8th-inch stud link chain. Mariners are responsible for determining how suitable an anchoring system is for the size of their craft.

The cabin does not include mattresses or cooking utensils. Visitors should bring sleeping bags and pads, a cooking stove, pots, pans, plates, utensils, food, toilet paper, garbage bags, a lantern, fire extinguisher, fire starter and personal flotation devices (PFDs). Rain gear and boots are recommended.

Water is available from the lake but must be treated before using. It's recommended that visitors bring their own water.

A small but heavy square-bowed skiff with oars is provided. A long-shaft 2-10 hp outboard motor enhances use of the skiff, but is not provided. Each person in the skiff should wear a Coast Guard approved personal flotation device (PFD). Tie the skiff well up on the shore and pull the plug before leaving so the boat does not fill with rain water.

Click here for more cabin information and maps.

Activities and Amenities

Within Facility
Bunkbed(s) Cabin Rentals Cooking Area Firewood Fishing	Heating Stove Hiking Lake Access Outhouse Table & Benches
Less Than 1 Mile
Hunting

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
Plan arrival and departure during high tide, unload gear at east shore at estuary head, then tie up boat at mooring buoy
Cabin may be inaccessible by plane from November through early April due to frozen lake surface (floatplanes cannot land); please contact the local Forest Service Ranger District office for current information prior to making reservations during this period
Cabin may also be inaccessible by boat as the head of Silver Bay may freeze mid-November through mid-February
Cabin not maintained in the winter
For boat or air charters, contact the Sitka Convention and VisitorsBureau at 907-747-5940 or www.Sitka.org
Boil or treat lake water before drinking
Pack out all garbage and food
Rain gear is necessary
Firewood may be scarce
Click here to learn more about Tongass National Forest

Getting There:

GPS Info. (Latitude, Longitude):
56.96136, -135.14729
56°57'41"N, 135°8'50"W

Accessible nearly year round, depending on mode of access. Located 11 miles southeast of Sitka on Baranof Island, approximately 10 minutes by floatplane.

Access by boat from Sitka to Silver Bay is 10 miles, and a 2-mile trail leads to the cabin. Trail begins near mooring buoy at the end of Silver Bay. Plan arrival and departure during high tide, unload gear at east shore at estuary head, then tie up boat at mooring buoy. Please consult local tide tables before departing for the cabin.

For geographic features surrounding the cabin, refer to USGS topographic map Port Alexander D-4 and Sitka A-4.

Contact Information:

Mailing Address:

SALMON LAKE CABIN SITKA

TONGASS/SITKA AK

Phone Number:

Project Office:(907)747-6671

SALMON LAKE CABIN SITKA, AK