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Starrigavan Creek Cabin
Baranof Island
Capacity: |
8 |
Access: |
or ![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090510164146im_/http://www.fs.fed.us/r10/tongass/recreation/images/icons/hike.gif) |
Stove type: |
Wood |
Rowboat: |
No |
Activities: |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090510164146im_/http://www.fs.fed.us/r10/tongass/recreation/images/icons/access.gif) ![fishing](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090510164146im_/http://www.fs.fed.us/r10/tongass/recreation/images/icons/fish.gif) ![hiking](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090510164146im_/http://www.fs.fed.us/r10/tongass/cabins/images/icons/hike.gif) ![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090510164146im_/http://www.fs.fed.us/r10/tongass/recreation/images/icons/photog.gif) ![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090510164146im_/http://www.fs.fed.us/r10/tongass/recreation/images/icons/binocs.gif) ![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090510164146im_/http://www.fs.fed.us/r10/tongass/recreation/images/icons/bike.gif) |
Rental fee: |
$50 per night |
Season of use: |
Year round; drive up mid April to mid November, walk in over snow in winter and early spring. |
Description: |
Cabin capacity is 8 persons regardless of age, camping or just visiting. Low Impact and Leave no Trace camping essential. All activity must take place on the gravel pad or along gravel pathways. Fully ADA compliant cabin and site mid April through mid November; rustic 16’ x 20’ young growth log cabin with one ADA accessible lower bunk; full loft reached by staircase. Extensive gravel pad with picnic table, fire ring/grill with adjacent log benches, gravel pathway 60 feet to bench overlooking Starrigavan Creek. |
Location: |
7 miles north of downtown Sitka, Alaska, and 3/4 mile from Alaska Marine Highway Sitka Ferry Terminal; within Starrigavan Recreation Area, Estuary Loop, Campsite 6
Longitude: |
135.362869 |
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Latitude: |
57.129625 |
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Suggested USGS topo map: |
Sitka A5 |
Access: |
15 minute drive from downtown Sitka or 2 minute drive from Alaska Marine Highway Sitka Ferry Terminal.
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Terrain: |
Level streamside terrain adjacent to Starrigavan Creek, with the overstory of a hemlock-spruce forest and understory of primarily salmonberry bushes. Visual screening between the cabin and adjacent campsites can be maintained if activities and travel are kept to the cabin pad, designated pathways and the parking spur. |
Facilities: |
- Wood bunk (single over an ADA accessible bunk)
- Full sleeping loft
- Table with 4 separate benches
- Wood stove with glass door
- Cooking counter
- Broom and dustpan
- Romtec vault restroom, 200 feet away
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- Artesian well water, 300 fee away
- Picnic Table
- Combination fire ring/grill with log benches
- Parking space for up to 4 standard vehicles
- Gravel pathway to bench overlooking creek
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What to bring: |
Sleeping bags, sleeping pads, cots if needed for the loft, cooking stove, lanterns, flashlights, garbage bags, pots, pans, plates, utensils, food, tablecloth, coolers, fire starter, matches, rain gear, rubber boots, camp chairs. Potty pail for those unable or unwilling to trek out into the night or cold to restroom. |
More information: |
- Bring your own dry kindling and split firewood or it is available at local grocery stores or it is available from the Host at a cost. Wood pallets and wood with metal hardware and nails is prohibited.
- DO NOT leave food, operating or non operating equipment behind when vacating this cabin.
- Pack out all gear that you bring.
- Contact Starrigavan Recreation Area manager at 907-747-4216 or email at r10_sitka_rd@fs.fed.us for more specific information.
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Special features: |
Cabin constructed in 2008 using 35-40 year old young growth spruce logs harvested from upper Starrigavan Valley fall of 2007. These spruce trees were thinned from areas adjacent to upper Starrigavan Creek to improve wildlife and fish habitat. Logs were hand scribed as part of a construction class held in May 2008 at the University of Alaska SE , Sitka Campus. This cabin is an experiment in learning the longevity of young spruce logs for construction purposes. The cabin is the first young growth cabin on the Tongass NF and the first cabin on the Tongass located within a recreation area. Nearby federal facilities within the Starrigavan Recreation Area include: 34 campsites, 6 picnic sites, two Host sites, ¼ mile ADA accessible Estuary Life Boardwalk Trail and parking lot, Starrigavan Bird Viewing Shelter, artesian well, the Mosquito Cove Trailhead and parking lot with about 1000 feet of ADA accessible trail. State facilities include: ¾ mile protected pedestrian walkway from ferry terminal; Sitka State Historic Site and boat launch, ¾ mile ADA accessible Forest and Muskeg Trail and 1 mile dirt tread Mosquito Cove Trail. All these facilities are open year round with limited vehicle access to camping and picnic areas when snow covers the roadways.
Lots of "TLC" by many people went into the crafting of the logs for this cabin and into the final construction of the cabin and its beautifiul site. Responsible use of this facility and cabin site is a way of showing appreciation for this uniquely located cabin. |
Alerts |
- Contact recreation area manager at 907-747-4216 or via e-mail at r10_sitka_rd@fs.fed.us at least one week in advance of your reservation to 1) request firewood if not bringing your own and 2) give the approximate time of your arrival so host is available to check you in.
- Deposit may be required at the time of check in to cover use of the cabin key. Deposit will be returned when cabin key is returned.
- If writing checks, a separate check must be written for the cost of the wood.
- Camping must be done within the cabin. Tents, motor homes, RV’s, 5 th wheels, travel trailers, pickup campers, pop up tent trailers, pop up vans are not allowed at this site.
- Cabin is locked when not reserved. The key is available as part of checking in with the Host. Reservations require check in with Host using confirmation letter and photo ID, names on each should match.
- Gates accessing camping loop where this cabin is located are closed and locked. Closure times depend on time of year and darkness factor.
- Bearproof garbage containers provided May 1- September 15. At other times, the Pack It In, Pack It Out policy is in effect. Wood stove is not a trash burner.
- Restroom is about 200 feet away. Potty pails or buckets may be necessary for nighttime use for those who choose not to use the restroom in the dark.
- Sleds not provided for packing in gear in winter over snow.
- Active brown bear area, more intensely mid July through early October when spawning salmon are in the creek in front of the cabin. Keep children close; pets leashed, quiet and under control; food covered and stored; trash disposed of properly. Bears and humans can coexist if humans do their part.
- Firewood gathering prohibited at site.
- This cabin is available when it is not reserved for walk up use. This requires contacting the Starrigavan Host during daylight hours (in winter that is 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.), realizing the host may not always be at the Host Cabin and using exact $$ to pay the fee.
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To reserve: |
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