Baranof Lake Cabin

Baranof Lake Cabin sits on the shores of greenish-blue Baranof Lake, on the lake's southwestern edge, 20 air miles east of Sitka, Alaska, and is generally available June through October. This is a remote site, reached by a 25-minute floatplane trip; in poor weather and low clouds flying time can double, as flights must go the northern route around Baranof Island. Recreation options include wilderness-like solitude, photography and fishing. Cutthroat trout, Dolly Varden and rainbow trout runs occur from late July to late August, especially near inlet streams. Dense vegetation along the shoreline makes fishing and hiking along the shore impossible. The 12-by-14-foot wood Pan Abode-style cabin accommodates up to six people with two double and two single plywood bunks. Amenities include a wood stove for heat, a table with benches, cooking counter, cupboard, broom, an axe or splitting maul and an outhouse toilet. There are no mattresses or cooking utensils: bring bedding, a cook stove and cookware, a lantern, food, a fire extinguisher, fire starter and flotation devices. Rain gear and boots are recommended. Water is available from the lake or a nearby inlet stream but must be treated; bringing your own is recommended. A small but heavy square-bowed skiff with oars is provided, and a long-shaft 2-10 hp outboard enhances its use but is not. Be sure the plug is in before launching, and tie the skiff well up on shore with the plug pulled before leaving so it does not fill with rain water. Baranof Lake is a glacier-fed lake surrounded by a spruce and hemlock forest, with mountain ridges rising to 3,000 feet on either side. The lake is nearly 3 miles long and half a mile wide, and sits at an elevation of 145 feet. The cabin has a small, sandy beach and is located near the mouth of the Baranof River. The sound of rushing water prevails as the river enters the lake in view of the cabin, and a beautiful waterfall cascades over steep slopes across the lake. Brown bear frequent the area.