Laughton Glacier Cabin

Laughton Glacier Cabin is located 2 miles west of the Canadian border on the north side of the Sawtooth Mountains. The site is reached by train, followed by a 1.5-mile hike, and is available only while the White Pass and Yukon Railroad operates, May 1 to September 30 — the surrounding area is owned by the railroad, so the cabin is closed in the off-season. Guests are responsible for their own travel arrangements and safety. The access trail to the cabin follows the Skagway River and leads hikers through lush rainforest. Beyond the cabin it continues along the rocky banks of Laughton Creek to Laughton Glacier; the total distance is three miles round-trip, with an elevation gain of 200 to 600 feet. Mountain goat and bear hunting is possible in designated seasons with the proper permits. This 12-by-14-foot pan-abode style cabin sleeps six, with two single and two double bunks. It also has a table and benches, a broom, an oil heater and an outhouse. A wooden cooler box for food storage is attached to the outside of the cabin, and a fire ring is located out front. Water and electricity are not provided. Water is available from the Skagway River, but should be treated before drinking or cooking with it, and it is recommended that visitors bring their own supply. Heating oil is not supplied by the Forest Service either: bring your own #1 stove oil, one gallon of which lasts a day on the lowest heat setting, in addition to bedding, cooking gear, lighting, food and all other supplies. Visitors are expected to pack out trash, empty the cabinets and clean the cabin before leaving. The area around the cabin is mountainous and covered with spruce and subalpine fir forest, and wildflowers bloom around the cabin in summer. The cabin overlooks the Skagway River, with Laughton Glacier nearby. Moose, brown bears and black bears are common in this area, and mountain goats can sometimes be spotted on the surrounding mountains.