By:
Submission
Humpback Lake Cabin is located on the mainland within the Misty Fiords National Monument Wilderness. It has the feel of a secluded getaway, even though a commercial lodge is nearby. The cabin is open year-round, offering relaxation, sightseeing and recreation in Alaska's beautiful Inside Passage.
The site can be accessed by floatplane, depending on conditions. Guests are responsible for their own travel arrangements and safety, and must bring several of their own amenities.
A 14-foot aluminum skiff with oars is available at the cabin, but guests must provide their own life jackets. Guests can row to the Humpback Creek Trailhead and enjoy a scenic 3-mile hike to Mink Bay. The trailhead is located at the north edge of a large log jam near the west end of the lake.
The lake offers excellent fishing for Dolly Varden and cutthroat trout.
This 12x14-ft. pan-abode style cabin sleeps six and comes equipped with two single bunks, two double bunks, a table and benches, oil heater, broom and an outhouse.
Water, heating oil and electricity are not provided. Guests must bring a supply of #1 diesel oil or kerosene for the heater; five gallons will last approximately a week. Water is available from the lake, but guests must treat water before drinking or cooking with it. It is recommended that guests bring their own water supply.
Other items to pack include sleeping bags, sleeping pads, lanterns or flashlights, cookware, plates, utensils, food, toilet paper, garbage bags, a fire extinguisher and fire starter. Guests are expected to pack out trash and clean the cabin before leaving. [Click here](http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/tongass/recreation/camping-cabins/recarea/?recid=78889&actid=101) for more cabin details.
The cabin offers spectacular views of the glacier-carved lake and the surrounding high alpine peaks with sheer granite walls. The landscape is covered in lush old-growth forest of Sitka spruce, cedar and western hemlock.
This area is home to a large population of brown bears. Other species that make their home in the Wilderness include Sitka black-tailed deer, wolves, martens and moose. A variety of waterfowl may be seen around the lake.
The cabin is approximately 48 air miles southeast of Ketchikan, east of Mink Bay on the mainland and is accessible by floatplane. This cabin is in a designated Wilderness area, and access by helicopter is illegal. Refer to USGS Ketchikan A-2. In fall, winter and early spring, the cabin may be inaccessible due to frozen lake surface (floatplanes cannot land). Please contact the Ketchikan-Misty Fjords Ranger District for information prior to making reservations during these periods.
Only one change per reservation for all Alaska cabins is allowed. Change is defined as a modification to the start or end date of the reservation; after one change has been made, if additional changes are desired, the customer must cancel the current reservation and re-book the new dates.
I have been there 4 times and planning another trip in 2018. It is where you leave reality for a while and refresh your spirit in the back country.
There are two cabins on Humpback lake. The images that appear on Google are of the privately owned 'Chalet' but the link takes you to the recreation.gov for the 'forest service' cabin. The location marked on Google Earth is for the 'forest service' cabin...the 'Chalet' is further East at the head of the lake.
