Winstanley 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: 25 miles at 045
Direct from Cabin to Mountain Point: 25 miles at 226

VFR Directions: To the Lake 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. [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 [3 minutes]
  6. At Candle Island, turn right to a heading of 028 ... this is the heading for Winstanley Lake. There are two lakes on this bearing, the one you want is the second one 3.1 miles ahead. [2 minutes] Be careful on this approach at low altitudes, there are 2600 foot features on both sides of your course.
  7. As you are over the lake, you may swing to starboard and fly toward the cabin which is located on the east side of the lake.

VFR Directions: Returning to Ketchikan

  1. Leave the lake on a heading of 199 heading for Candle Island, about 2.7 miles ahead. [1 minutes]
  2. At Candle Island, set a heading of 182 that takes you over Smeaton Island, 3.7 miles ahead. [2 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 wood-burning stove and sleeping space for 4 to 6 people. The cabin was built in 1967.

Location: Approximately 33 air miles (53 km) northeast of Ketchikan on the mainland east of Winstanley Island, elevation 400 feet (122 m). 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). Access by canoe involves a 2.5 mile (4 km) hike from salt water plus a 2.5 mile (4 km) paddle to the cabin. A mooring buoy is located at trailhead. 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, 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

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: Recreation opportunities abound at this cabin. The cabin location offers scenic views, access to fishing and hunting, quiet solitude, and just relaxation. For the more adventurous at heart, a paddle down to the outlet will lead you to the historic Winstanley Lake Shelter constructed by the CCC back in the early 1930s. From here a person can hike to salt water on the Winstanley Lake Trail (#743). Fishing includes cutthroat and kokanee. Hunting for mountain goat, Sitka blacktail deer, black bear, and brown bear all occurs in this area. Keep your eyes open for mink, marten, beaver, and otter.