Spurt Cove Cabin

Spurt Cove Cabin sits on the mainland in a small cove on the north side of Thomas Bay, a favorite destination among boaters and kayakers, and makes a good base camp for exploring the bay. It is accessible by boat or float plane only. The cabin is in southeastern Alaska's Tongass National Forest, the largest national forest in the United States; the surrounding terrain is predominantly gently sloping with some steep bluffs, and Spurt Cove is known for its interesting rock formations. Halibut and king salmon fishing is available in the bay, while anglers may find trout in the beaver ponds behind the cabin. Orca whales and porpoises can often be seen in the area. A moderately difficult 1.1-mile trail to Spurt Lake starts a quarter-mile northeast of the cabin, marked by red and white diamond stakes; a boat is necessary to reach the trailhead. The Thomas Bay area offers numerous options for single and multiple-day trips to Baird, Muddy and Patterson glaciers, Scenery Cove and the Cosmos Mountain Range, and kayaking is popular in the bay's protected waters. The hunter-style cabin has two wooden bunks accommodating up to four people, a table, benches, a clean-burning oil heater and a wood stove that can be used for cooking. An outhouse with a pit toilet is provided. Water is not supplied; the nearest source is a small stream near the cabin, and any outdoor water should be treated or boiled before drinking. Bring sleeping bags and pads, a cook stove and cooking gear, towels, food and clothing, fire starter and garbage bags, plus enough kerosene or No. 1 heating oil for the heater, which burns roughly a gallon a day. A broom, dust pan, axe and splitting maul are generally available but may be missing or damaged. The cabin needs to be cleaned prior to leaving, and all garbage and food carried out.