Sitkoh Lake (east) Cabin

Sitkoh Lake East Cabin is nestled at the eastern end of Sitkoh Lake on southeastern Chichagof Island, 35 miles northeast of Sitka, Alaska. The lake offers two public recreation cabins: this one near the east end, and Sitkoh Lake West Cabin 2 miles away. This is a remote site, accessible when the lake is ice-free, generally April through October, via a 30-minute flight from Sitka. It can also be reached by boat and trail: from False Island in Peril Strait, hike or OHV-ride 8 miles following Roads 7540 and 7544 as shown on the Sitka Motor Vehicle Use Map, then follow a half-mile foot trail (#675) to the cabin, leaving any OHVs parked at the road. Sitkoh Lake offers fishing, hiking, hunting and off-highway vehicle riding. The lake supports cutthroat trout and Dolly Varden, and Sitkoh Creek has runs of steelhead in the spring, pink and sockeye salmon from July to August and coho from August through September. Past logging has left a system of isolated roads open to hiking and OHV riding. Although it is in poor condition, hikers can explore a 4.3-mile trail along Sitkoh Creek to Sitkoh Bay. Deer hunting is popular in the surrounding area, and waterfowl hunting is possible at Sitkoh Bay. The 12-by-14-foot wood Pan abode-style cabin sleeps up to six on two double bunks and two single bunks. Amenities include a wood stove for heat, a table with benches, cooking counter, cupboard, broom, axe or splitting maul and an outdoor screened cooler box, with an outhouse toilet close by. There are no mattresses or cooking utensils: bring bedding, a cook stove and cookware, a lantern, food, a fire extinguisher, fire starter, rain gear, boots and flotation devices. Water is available from the creek but must be treated; bringing your own is recommended. A small but heavy square-bowed skiff with oars is provided, though as of June 2024 one of the skiffs between the east and west Sitkoh Lake cabins was reported damaged and possibly out of service. A long-shaft 2-10 horsepower outboard enhances its use but is not provided. Tie the skiff well up on shore and pull the plug before leaving so it does not fill with rain water. The cabin lies at the edge of an old-growth forest of spruce and hemlock, with muskeg and open meadows to the east and seasonal salmonberries and blueberries in the area. Sitkoh Creek, the lake's outlet channel, is nearby. The lake sits at an elevation of 194 feet, is 2.5 miles long and a half-mile wide, and is surrounded by forested mountains rising to near 2,500 feet. Brown bear frequent the area. An abandoned logging camp site lies about 6 miles west at False Island, with an isolated road system for exploring.