Dale Clemens Cabin

DALE CLEMENS CABIN

Part of Chugach National Forest

Overview

Dale Clemens Cabin is a rustic cabin in south-central Alaska. It offers great views of the surrounding mountain peaks, and Resurrection Bay and Seward in the distance. Visitors enjoy hunting and exploring, as well as fishing in nearby Lost Lake.

The cabin can be accessed by hiking, biking, skiing and snowmobile. It is open year-round, though conditions may impact travel plans. Visitors are responsible for their own travel arrangements and safety, and must bring several of their own amenities.

Facilities

The two-story cabin has two entrances via stairways at ground level. A wooden deck with seating overlooks the surrounding peaks. The cabin is oufitted with a Nordic oil drip stove for heat. Cabin users are responsible for supplying his/her own kerosene/number one fuel oil at a rate of one gallon per day June-August and two gallons per day the rest of the year. Contact the Seward Ranger District for more information. Heating system will be changed to Nordic oil stove on September 11, 2019. Users are responsible for supplying kerosene/number one fuel oil after September 11, 2019.



Inside the cabin are wooden bunks and a loft that will sleep up to eight people. Counterspace,table,benches, and an oil drip heater are provided. An outhouse is located outside the cabin. There is no electricity, potable water, mattresses, bedding or cooking utensils. Visitors should bring kerosene/heating oil at a rate of one gallon per day June-August and two gallons per day the rest of the year, sleeping bags and pads, a cook stove, cooking gear and food. Water from the lakes or streams should be treated or boiled before consumption.

Natural Features

The cabin is located west of Seward Highway at an elevation of about 1,750 feet. The cabin sits just above tree line, amid mountain meadows and groves of hemlock and spruce trees, as well as grasses and abundant wildflowers.

Winter snow can linger into July and the cabin is susceptible to heavy fog and rain in the summer, as well as whiteout conditions in the winter.

A variety of wildlife makes its home in the area. For more information on access and regulations pertaining to this cabin, trail conditions, safety precautions and outdoor safety and ethics, please contact the Seward Ranger District.

Recreation

Visitors enjoy fishing for rainbow trout in Lost Lake. Hunting is available in season for moose, black and brown bears, wolves, mountain goats and ptarmigan.

Hiking, cross country skiing, snowshoeing and snowmobiling are also popular activities.

Nearby Attractions

Resurrection Peak and Mt. Ascension tower above the area, at 4,700 and 5,700 feet respectively.

Important Notices

  • 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.
  • Bikes and horses are not recommended on the access trail, due to numerous rock steps, crossings and water bars, narrow boardwalks (12 inches wide) and fragile alpine vegetation.
  • There is no source of fresh water near the cabin; guests must bring their own, or boil or treat water taken from lakes and streams.
  • 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.
  • It is unlawful to use a public recreation cabin without a valid cabin reservation.
  • Occupying a Public Recreation cabin with more than eight individuals per cabin for each permitted day is prohibited.
  • Camping, pitching tents, or staying overnight within 300 feet of any public recreation use cabin is prohibited unless you have a valid cabin reservation.
  • It is prohibited to hitch, tether, or hobble any saddle or pack animal including dog teams, within 200 feet of an established trail, water source, or developed recreation site, including Forest Service recreation cabins.
  • Camping and/ or occupying any one Public Recreation Use Cabin for a period longer than seven consecutive days by any person or group including but not limited to family members, members of the same household, and members of the same camping party within a 30 day period, and three consecutive days May 15 to August 31.
  • Learn more about Chugach National Forest
  • Don't Move Firewood: Prevent the spread of tree-killing pests by purchasing firewood near your destination and burning it on-site. For more information visit dontmovefirewood.org.
  • Cabin users are responsible for supplying their own kerosene/fuel oil at a rate of one gallon per night.

Available Activities

  • WILDLIFE VIEWING - Wildlife Viewing
  • WINTER SPORTS - Cross Country Skiing
  • HUNTING - Hunting
  • HIKING - Hiking
  • FISHING - Fishing
  • CAMPING - Camping

Directions

From milepost 5 on Seward Highway turn onto Scott Way and follow signs to the Lost Lake Trailhead. In the summer, hike 4.5 miles to the cabin. In the winter, ski or snowmobile 2.5 miles to the cabin. From milepost 17 on the Seward Highway, at Primrose Campground and Trailhead, hike 12.6 miles to the cabin on a steep and rugged <a href="https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprd3818053.pdf ">trail</a> . <br /><br /> Winter travelers need to be able to evaluate <a href="http://www.cnfaic.org/">avalanche</a> and over-ice travel conditions. For more current travel conditions call the district office. The trail is closed to horse/pack stock from April 1 to June 30, and is closed to motor vehicles between April 30 and Nov. 30. <br /><br /> Refer to USGS topographical maps Seward A7 and B7. <a href="http://ask.usgs.gov/to_order.html">Maps</a> are available online or by calling the Seward Ranger District at 907-288-3178. For more trail information see the following links:<br /><br /> Lost Lake Trail<br /><br /> <a href="https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/chugach/recreation/hiking/recarea/?recid=16811&amp;actid=51" target="_blank">https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/chugach/recreation/hiking/recarea/?recid=16811&amp;actid=51</a><br /><br /> Primrose Trail<br /><br /> <a href="https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/chugach/recreation/hiking/recarea/?recid=16812&amp;actid=51" target="_blank">https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/chugach/recreation/hiking/recarea/?recid=16812&amp;actid=51 </a>

Contact Information

Seward Ranger District, 33599 Ranger Station Spur
SEWARD, AK 99664

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