Red Alders Cabin

Minimum ceiling: 2000 feet
Minimum flying altitude: 1700 feet
Minimum visibility: 1 mile
Approximate distance: 24 miles

Direct from Mountain Point to Cabin: 17 miles at 030
Direct from Cabin to Mountain Point: 17 miles at 210

VFR Directions: To the Cabins

  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 (far end) of Bold Island, set a heading for 068 for Cone Point, 3.7 miles ahead. [2 minutes]
  4. Fly over Cone Island over Cone Point and change heading to 360 heading for Evo Point, distance 5 miles [3 minutes]
  5. At Evo Point, set heading of 008 for Gokachin Lakes 6.6 miles, approaching these, your altitude must be 1700 feet minimum. [4 minutes]
  6. At Gokachin Lakes, slightly correct heading for 358. Ella Lake is 3 miles ahead. Begin dropping altitude and head for the center of the lake [2 minutes]
  7. At the center of the lake, take the left branch (heading 310) and this cabin is at the end of this branch of the lake.

VFR Directions: Returning to Ketchikan

  1. After leaving either cabin, head for the center of the lake and begin climbing to 1700 feet. Once at the center of the lake, select a heading of 178, continue climb to 1700..
  2. Fly 3 miles to Gokachin Lakes and reset heading for 183 direct to Cone Point (11.5 miles). [7 minutes]
  3. At Cone Point, set a heading of 252 for Bold Island, 3.7 miles [2 minutes]
  4. Over Bold Island, set a heading of 274 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 12' Pan-Abode log cabin with a wood-burning stove and sleeping space for 4 to 6 people. The cabin was constructed in 1962.

Location: Approximately 24 air miles northeast of Ketchikan on Revillagigedo Island on the north end of Ella Lake. It is accessible by float plane or canoe. 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.

Note: Look at the smoke in the picture to the right. Notice it will drift in different directions depending upon the wind direction at the time! This is a nice feature of the Misty Fjords scenery package ... the smoke can give you and indication of wind direction so you can choose a safe landing.

Season of Use: Year-around.

Facilities: 2 single plywood bunks, 2 double plywood bunks, Table and benches, Wood stove, Cooking counter, Food cupboard and shelves, Broom, mop and bucket, outhouse toilet, Axe, Maul and wedge, 14' aluminum skiff with oars and NO life jackets (unless you are flown in).

Water is available from the lake. Treat all water before using. Bring your own sleeping bags, sleeping pads, cooking stove, lantern, pots, pans, plates, utensils, food, toilet paper, garbage bags, fire extinguisher and fire starter. This cabin contains a wood stove. Please conserve firewood; supplied firewood is for wood stove use only.

Special Features: The cabin is located on the lake shore in an old-growth stand of spruce, hemlock, and cedar with a thick understory of red alder. This cabin features a flat cobblestone beach with a small section of sandy beach. There is an open muskeg close to the cabin with many of the plant species found in Southeast Alaska. It is also common to see deer grazing in this area. The lake has one other cabin, Ella Narrows Cabin, located on the north 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, marten, and many bird species are common.