Big Goat Lake Cabin

Minimum ceiling: 2500 feet
Minimum flying altitude: 2200 feet
Minimum visibility: 3 mile
Approximate distance: 45 miles

Direct from Mountain Point to Cabin: 35 miles at 40
Direct from Cabin to Mountain Point: 35 miles at 220

Note: This is a more difficult cabin to approach, especially in minimum weather conditions. You must have a ceiling of 2500 feet and you will be flying at 2200 feet altitude as you approach the cabin. This is a "high lake" cabin, resting at almost 1756 feet in altitude.

VFR Directions: To the Island Cabin

  1. After leaving PAKT or 5KE, position over Pennock Island in the Tongass Narrows at a heading of 110
  2. At the south end of Pennock Island, head toward Bold Island, Set your heading at 094. Bold Island is 9 miles ahead. [5.4 minutes]
  3. At the south end of Bold Island, set a heading for 088 for Alava Point, the point of land 8.3 miles ahead. [5 minutes]
  4. At Alava Point set your heading at 017 for Smeaton Island, 9.6 miles ahead. You will fly over Rudyerd Island on this leg. At this point, you are in the Behm Canal, a body of water that circles the Ketchikan Area. [5.5 minutes]
  5. At Smeaton Island, set your heading at 002 for Candle Island. This is the small island at the southern tip of Winstanley Island [2 minutes]
  6. Over Winstanley Island, set a heading of 333 for the Eddystone Islands, a small group of little islands 4.7 miles ahead [3 minutes]
  7. Over the Eddystone Islands, turn to a heading of 357 to cross over Louise Point, at the entrance of Rudyerd Bay. [2 minutes]
  8. At Louise Point, turn into Rudyerd Bay on a heading of 046 ... and be ready about 2 miles later to make a slight heading change to 29 degrees following Rudyerd Bay. You will see Punchbowl cove leading off to your right, you will ease left and continue following Rudyerd Bay. [5 minutes] NOTE: Be sure you are at 2200 feet minimum!
  9. You will see an intersection ... you are going to take the right fork into Big Goat Inlet on a heading of 141. [3 minutes]
  10. At the end of Big Goat Inlet you will take a sharp right turn to a heading of 088. NOTE: Be sure you are at 2200 feet minimum!
  11. You will see a mountain wall ahead of you with a waterfall coming over the top. Fly just to the right of the waterfall, once over it, you will be looking at Big Goat Lake. The lake veers a little to the left, make a slight heading correction and land. Big Goat Lake Cabin is on the second point on your right.

VFR Directions: Back to Ketchikan ... there are 2 ways you can go back to Ketchikan

1st Alternative Return: Returning as you arrived, back down Big Goat Inlet and Rudyerd Bay.

  1. Taxi to the far end of the lake and head back toward the cabin, an approximate heading of 254 ... give yourself plenty of room for takeoff
  2. Take off, flying over the cabin and once you are clear of the lake and out over the dropoff, be ready to make a right turn into Big Goat Inlet, Heading 319 for 3.4 miles [1.5 minutes]
  3. Be ready to make a sharp turn to the left (heading of 210) following Rudyerd Bay back to Louis Point, about 8 miles. [5 minutes]
  4. At Louis Point, set a heading of 177 toward the Eddystone Islands about 2 miles.
  5. Over the Eddystone Islands, set a heading of 154 degrees to fly over Winstanley Island. 5 miles [3 minutes]
  6. Over Winstanley Island, set a heading of 170 for Smeaton Island 5 miles ahead. [3 minutes].
  7. At Smeaton Island, set a course for Alava Point at a heading of 199, 12.4 miles ahead. [7.5 minutes]
  8. At Alava Point, set a heading of 269 for Bold Island 8.3 miles ahead. [4.8 minutes]
  9. Over Bold Island, set a heading of 275 for Pennock Island [5 minutes] ... you are now in the Tongass Narrows and ATC should be directing your destination.

2nd Alternative Return: Returning via Wilson Lake

  1. Set a heading of 077 for takeoff from the cabin.
  2. As you fly over the edge of the lake, make a right turn to a heading of 179 taking you over Wilson Lake. Wilson lake is immediately visible as you make the turn.
  3. At the south end of the lake, begin following the Wilson River down to the Thorne Arm of Smeaton Bay, approximately 5 miles. (Approximate heading 150). [3 minutes]
  4. Turn right into the Wilson Arm and fly an approximate heading of 187, making a correction about 3 miles later to 240 heading toward the Behm Canal.
  5. Fly to Nelson Point, which is the point to the left of Smeaton Bay (this channel) and here you enter the Behm Canal.
  6. At Nelson Point, set a heading of 210 for Alava Point 11.3 miles ahead. [7 minutes]
  7. At Alava Point, set a heading of 267 for Bold Island, 8.1 miles ahead. [5 minutes]
  8. Over Bold Island, set a heading of 275 for Pennock Island (8.7 miles) ... you are now in the Tongass Narrows and ATC should be directingyour destination. [5 minutes]

Description: This is a rustic style 12' x 12' Pan-Abode log cabin with a oil-burning stove (use #1 diesel fuel) and sleeping space for 4 to 6 people. The cabin was constructed in 1964. This cabin has been removed from the reservation system due to poor outhouse and skiff conditions. It is on a first-come first-served basis now and is free.

Location: About 45 air miles northeast of Ketchikan, on the mainland east of Rudyerd Bay, elevation 1775 feet (540 meters). Accessible by float plane. In fall, winter and early spring, the cabin may be inaccessible due to the frozen lake surface (float planes cannot land). This cabin is located within the Misty Fiords National Monument Wilderness. Please Leave No Trace of your visit.

Season of Use: Year-around.

Facilities: 2 single plywood bunks, 2 double plywood bunks, Table and benches, Oil stove (fuel not provided), Cooking counter, Food cupboard and shelves, Broom, mop and bucket,Outhouse toilet

Water is available from the lake. Treat all water before using. Bring your own fuel oil (#1 diesel) for the oil stove, sleeping bags, sleeping pads, cooking stove, lantern, pots, pans, plates, utensils, food, toilet paper, garbage bags, fire extinguisher and fire starter.

Special Features: This is the most scenic cabin on the district. This lake cabin is located in a saddle surrounded by alpine cliffs. This gives numerous opportunities for hiking/exploring, boating, scenic photography, fishing (grayling were planted in 1965; fishing has been good), and wildlife viewing. Mountain goats are plentiful in the area surrounding the cabin. Please note: This cabin is located in the flightseeing flight path with heavy plane traffic June to September