Salmon Lake Cabin – Sitka

Book Cabin | Additional Cabin Information

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. 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.

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.

Directions:

Located on Baranof Island on the east Shore of Salmon Lake 11 miles southeast of Sitka; 10 minute floatplane flight from Sitka or by boat with a 2 mile (3-km) hike up Salmon – Redoubt Lake Trail from head of Silver Bay.

Updates:

2023: Lake was noted as not being overly long, advice given was to go as light as possible. Preference was given to arriving from the North, flying overhead the west side at 1000′ then flying along the southside of the valley. Valley provides plenty of room to maneuver and leaves the option of going-around to the North.

Last Updated 02/14/2024