Esker Stream Cabin

Open — Open year-round with reservations required. Reservations available up to six months in advance through Recreation.gov at $25 per night. Maximum stay is seven nights per 30-day period.

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Special Weather Statement issued February 8 at 1:57PM AKST by NWS Juneau AK

1:57 PM — February 9th, 4:00 PM

After a series of shortwaves that brought rain and gusty winds over the past few days, a stronger front will approach southeast Alaska from the west on Tuesday. South to southeast winds will increase through the day Tuesday. Confidence is increasing for windy conditions with strong gusts Tuesday night into Wednesday morning as the front pushes west to east across southeast Alaska. Gales with storm force gusts will be possible ahead and along the frontal passage, especially along north-south oriented channels and along the coastal waters. A period of moderate to heavy rainfall will be possible with the frontal passage, but with the progressive nature of the front, flooding is not expected at this time. Another gale to potentially storm force low will quickly lift northeast into the Gulf and looks to push across southeast Alaska sometime later Wednesday into Thursday, bringing another round of strong gusty winds and moderate to heavy rainfall. Further details on the high wind and flooding potential for this system will be honed in on in the coming days. Looking further ahead, a cooling trend is favored to commence in the wake of these passing systems by late work week into the weekend. Snow levels will begin to lower and a colder outflow wind pattern could set up by late weekend. This could result in a return of snow for some coastal communities, especially across northern southeast Alaska. Further details on the pattern change and snow potential will be honed as the weekend approaches.

About

Esker Stream Cabin sits in the southern coastal region of Wrangell-St. Elias Preserve, providing a secluded backcountry experience in one of Alaska's most remote settings. Built in 2002, the cabin is accessible only by air via beach landing in a wheeled airplane on Yakutat Bay's shore, dependent on tide and glacial ice conditions. From the landing area, guests must ford Little Esker Stream and walk 0.34 miles on an unimproved but signed trail. The rustic cabin sleeps four people on twin-sized wooden bunks and includes a table with benches, a porch, and an oil-burning stove. Guests must bring their own heating fuel (kerosene or K1 commercial grade recommended), as well as all bedding, cooking equipment, and supplies. Water can be collected from nearby Esker Stream, though in winter the park recommends carrying potable water as the stream may be frozen. A rustic pit toilet is provided but not regularly maintained. Surrounded by mature spruce and birch forest at sea level, the cabin offers access to Yakutat Bay with views of the Malaspina Glacier to the northwest and other glaciers throughout the bay, including Hubbard Glacier. The area features numerous streams, lakes, marshes, and tidal flats with opportunities to see bears, moose, wolves, whales, and shorebirds. Recreation options include sea kayaking, whale watching, fishing in Esker Stream (Alaska license required), hiking the Esker Stream drainage, and walking three miles southeast along the beach to Bancas Point. The cabin is located in the preserve, so sport and subsistence hunting are permitted with appropriate state and federal licenses.

Directions

Not accessible by road. Located 20 miles across Yakutat Bay from Yakutat, accessible only by wheeled plane beach landing dependent on tide and glacial ice conditions. No airstrip or FAA identifier exists. Planes typically land opposite Little Esker Stream from the cabin. Hip boots recommended for stream crossing. Walk 0.34 miles on signed but unimproved trail to cabin.