Garnet Ledge Cabin

Overview

Garnet Ledge Cabin provides a basecamp for boaters and paddlers exploring the Stikine River and Delta. It is also known for its location near Garnet Ledge, a garnet bedrock outcropping on private land.

The site can be accessed by a shallow draft boat or a float plane, depending on conditions. Boats need a tide of at least 15 feet and float planes require at least 18 feet in order to access the cabin. Visitors are responsible for their own travel arrangements and safety, and must bring several of their own amenities.

Recreation

Garnet Ledge is the source of the garnets sold by children in the town of Wrangell. The ledge is on private property left to the children of Wrangell, held in trust for them by the First Presbyterian Church of Wrangell. An unmaintained trail along the beach leads from the cabin to Garnet Ledge (the old boardwalk trail was destroyed by extensive blowdown in 2005). Contact the Presbyterian Church for information regarding the collecting of garnets.

This cabin is also a popular stop for paddlers on their way to Wrangell from floating the Stikine River. Paddlers can explore the area around the cabin, but should check local tide charts first. Anglers can fish for hooligan in the Stikine River in April.

Facilities

The 16-by-16 cabin (A-frame style) was built in 1964 and can sleep up to seven people. It has two single bunks (one with a trundle bed) and a second-floor loft. The cabin also has a table with benches, a wood stove, a woodshed (firewood not guaranteed), broom and an outhouse. The partially covered front porch has a bear-proof food storage locker available for use.

Water and electricity are not provided. Water is available from a stream behind the cabin, but guests should be sure to treat water before drinking or cooking with it ( water safety tips ). It is recommended that guests bring their own water supply. In addition to bringing a cook stove, guests should provide their own firewood, sleeping bags, sleeping pads, lanterns or flashlights, cookware, plates, utensils, food, toilet paper, garbage bags, a fire extinguisher and matches, among other necessities. Guests are expected to pack out trash and clean the cabin before leaving ( click here for more cabin details).

Natural Features

The cabin sits on flat land overlooking the Stikine River delta and tidal flats with a backdrop of moderately steep mountains. The surrounding rainforest is primarily Sitka spruce and western hemlock.

Brown and black bears, bald eagles, sea lions, harbor seals, gulls and moose inhabit the area ( bear safety information ). Alaska's second largest concentration of bald eagles occurs during the April hooligan (eulachon) run at the mouth of the Stikine River.