Virginia Lake Cabin

About

Virginia Lake Cabin offers a true Alaska wilderness experience on a scenic lake in Tongass National Forest. The 16' x 16' A-frame cabin with a 10' x 18' addition sits on relatively flat terrain near Porterfield Creek, surrounded by steep mountains and old-growth rainforest of Sitka spruce, western hemlock, and cedar. A sandy beach fronts the cabin, and a floating dock provides floatplane access. The cabin sleeps up to 8 guests with multiple bunks, and includes a wood stove, table, benches, and a wheelchair-accessible wrap-around deck. A 14-foot skiff with oars is provided for lake exploration, though guests must bring their own personal flotation devices. The .9-mile Mill Creek Trail can be accessed by paddling across the lake to the outlet, where hikers can see evidence of historic mining and an old sawmill. This area is home to brown and black bears as well as moose. Fishing opportunities include cutthroat trout and Dolly Varden from May through October and sockeye salmon in August and September. Water is available from tributary creeks but must be treated before drinking. Guests should bring sleeping bags, cooking gear, food, firewood or #1 stove oil, toilet paper, and garbage bags.

Directions

The cabin is on the east end of Virginia Lake, 10 miles east of Wrangell on the mainland above Eastern Passage. Access is by floatplane from Wrangell. Alternative access is by portaging watercraft over the 0.9-mile Mill Creek Trail from Eastern Passage saltwater and paddling across Virginia Lake to the cabin site.