Swan Lake Cabin Petersburg

About

Swan Lake Cabin offers one of the most spectacular alpine settings in southeast Alaska. Perched at 1,514 feet elevation on the mainland east of Thomas Bay, this A-frame cabin is surrounded by the steep talus slopes and peaks of the Cosmos Range. The cabin was rebuilt in 2005-06 and features two wooden bunks, a sleeping loft accommodating up to seven people, a table with benches, and a clean-burning oil heater. An outhouse is provided, and two rowboats with oars are available for exploring the lake. The cabin provides excellent access to backcountry recreation. Rainbow trout fishing is popular in the lake, and mountain goats frequent the steep surrounding slopes. The Cascade Creek Trail can be reached by boat from the west end of the lake, leading to Falls Lake and a three-sided shelter about a mile out, then continuing 5 miles to the Cascade Creek Cabin in Thomas Bay. Rock, ice, and glacier climbing opportunities abound in the area. Guests must be fully self-sufficient, bringing sleeping bags, cook stoves, cooking gear, food, drinking water, and life jackets for boating. The cabin's oil heater requires guests to supply clean #1 heating oil or kerosene. All garbage must be packed out. Poor weather can delay float plane travel, so visitors should be prepared for potential extended stays.

Directions

Accessible only by float plane or helicopter, 18 air miles from Petersburg. Float plane access when the lake is open (typically July through October). Helicopter access year-round. Refer to USGS topographic maps Sumdum A3 and A2.