Goulding Lake Cabin

About

Goulding Lake Cabin offers wilderness solitude in the West Chichagof-Yakobi Wilderness on the western edge of Chichagof Island. The rustic A-frame cabin sits on the northwest shore of Otter Lake, surrounded by terrain ranging from open muskegs to densely forested steep slopes. The cabin accommodates up to 8 people and includes a sleeping loft accessed by vertical ladder, one double plywood bunkbed on the lower level, wood stove, table with benches, cooking counter, cupboard, axe, broom, outdoor screened cooler box, and outhouse. Access is by floatplane only, a 50-minute flight from Sitka or Juneau. No boat is provided at the lake, so visitors should bring a packraft or inflatable watercraft to explore Otter Lake and connected Goulding Lake to the east. Fishing opportunities include cutthroat trout below the falls and in the lower lake year-round, Dolly Varden year-round, and seasonal steelhead and coho. Visitors must be fully self-sufficient. No potable water is available; lake and stream water requires treatment. All garbage must be packed out. Essential items to bring include sleeping bags and pads, cooking stove and gear, food, toilet paper, lantern, fire extinguisher, rain gear, rubber boots, and personal flotation devices. Brown bears frequent the area, and poor weather may extend stays unexpectedly.

Directions

Located on Chichagof Island 60 miles northwest of Sitka in the Goulding Lakes System. Accessible by floatplane only, approximately 50 minutes from Sitka or Juneau. Reference USGS topographic map Sitka D-7.