Manzanita Lake Cabin

Minimum ceiling:2000 feet
Minimum flying altitude: 1700 feet
Minimum visibility: 1 mile
Approximate distance: 33 miles

Direct from Mountain Point to Cabin: 23 miles at 013
Direct from Cabin to Mountain Point: 23 miles at 193

VFR Directions: To the 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. [5.5 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 during this leg. At this point, you are in the Behm Canal, a body of water that circles the Ketchikan Area. [6 minutes]
  5. At Smeaton Island, set your heading at 334 for Cactus Point. This point juts out from the port side of the channel helping to form Sargents Bay. [7.5 minutes]
  6. At the leading edge of Cactus Point turn left to a heading of 267. You will see Manzanita Lake 5.6 miles ahead. [3 minutes] This lake has to branches, you are lined up on the branch where the cabin is located. Fly down this branch and land toward the end of the lake. The cabin is on your left at the end of the lake.

VFR Directions: Returning to Ketchikan

  1. Leave the lake on a heading of 087 heading for Cactus Point, about 5 miles ahead. [3 minutes]
  2. Over Cactus Point, turn to a heading of 154 for 13 miles. This takes you to Smeaton Island. [7.8 minutes]
  3. At Smeaton Island, set a course for Alava Point at a heading of 199, 12.4 miles ahead. [7.5 minutes]
  4. At Alava Point, set a heading of 269 for Bold Island 8.3 miles ahead. [5 minutes]
  5. Over Bold Island, set a heading of 275 for Pennock Island [5.5 minutes] ... you are now in the Tongass Narrows and ATC should be directing your destination.

Description: This is a rustic style 12' x 14' 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 1973.

Location: About 28 air miles northeast of Ketchikan, on Revillagigedo Island on the scenic northwest arm of Manzanita Lake. 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, 14' aluminum skiff with oars and NO life jackets

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

Special Features: This cabin is ideal for those who love to fall asleep to the sound of falling water. The cabin is located about 100 yards from the lake shore beside a spectacular series of cascading waterfalls. If the falls don't tempt you, then the view of steep granite walls and snow-capped peaks will. This glaciated valley is one of a kind and you are in the middle of it. The cabin is also surrounded by large old-growth spruce, hemlock, and cedar. The lake has one other cabin, Beaver Cabin, located on the south arm of the lake. Fishing is rated as excellent for cutthroat, dolly varden, and kokanee (land-locked salmon). Hunting for Sitka blacktail deer and black bear is popular in this area. Beaver, mink, and marten are common.