Salmon Lake Cabin Sitka

About

Salmon Lake Cabin offers a remote wilderness experience on Baranof Island, 11 miles southeast of Sitka in the Tongass National Forest. The rustic 15'x17' Pan Abode-style cabin was constructed in 1998 by U.S. Coast Guard volunteers and sits on the east shore of Salmon Lake, surrounded by spruce and hemlock-forested mountains rising to 2,500 feet. The cabin accommodates up to six guests on two double and two single plywood bunks and comes equipped with a wood stove for heat, table with benches, cooking counter, cupboard, axe or splitting maul, and an outhouse. Fishing is the primary draw, with excellent cutthroat trout and Dolly Varden in the lake and pink and sockeye salmon runs in the outlet stream from July to mid-August, followed by coho salmon from late August through September. A small skiff with oars is provided for exploring the lake. The 2-mile Salmon Lake-Redoubt Lake Trail connects the cabin to Silver Bay for those arriving by boat. Visitors must be self-sufficient, bringing sleeping bags and pads, a cooking stove with utensils, food, toilet paper, garbage bags, lantern, fire extinguisher, fire starter, and personal flotation devices. Lake water must be boiled or treated before drinking. Brown bears frequent the area, and all garbage and food must be packed out. Firewood may be scarce, so visitors should plan accordingly.

Directions

Located 11 miles southeast of Sitka on Baranof Island. Access by floatplane directly to Salmon Lake (10 minutes from Sitka) or by boat 10 miles from Sitka to Silver Bay, then a 2-mile hike on the Salmon Lake-Redoubt Lake Trail. Boat access requires timing arrival with high tide at Silver Bay. A mooring buoy is available at the head of Silver Bay.