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Overview

The Gut Island Cabins provide a basecamp for exploring the Stikine River tideflats. The tideflats offer a different experience from the usual rainforest setting of Southeast Alaska and provide opportunities for paddling, wildlife watching and hunting. Gut Island 2 Cabin was built in 1967 and is the oldest of two cabins on-site, which are a few hundred feet apart and connected with a trail. The cabin is 12 miles from Wrangell, Alaska, or 7 miles from the boat ramp on the south end of Mitkof Island.

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 17 feet in order to access the cabin. A short walk is required from the anchorage point to get to the cabin. Guests are responsible for their own travel arrangements and safety, and must bring several of their own amenities.

Recreation

The waters around the cabin are ideal for exploring by kayak or canoe during high tide. The Forest Service does not provide boats, and guests must also bring their own flotation devices. Tide tables should be consulted before any boating excursion. This cabin is also in a prime location for waterfowl hunting in the fall.

Facilities

This 12-by-14 cabin (hunter-style) has two single bunks and two double bunks to sleep up to four people. It is also equipped with a table and benches, broom, oil stove for heat (No. 1 oil only) and an outhouse toilet. A wooden cooler box for food storage is attached to the cabin.

Water and electricity are not provided. Water may sometimes be available from a rain catchment bucket, 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. Heating oil is not supplied by the Forest Service. In addition to bringing a supply of No. 1 stove oil, guests should pack sleeping bags, sleeping pads, a cooking stove, 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 Gut Island Cabins are located in the Stikine-LeConte Wilderness, tucked into spruce and hemlock trees on a low rock outcrop between the Stikine River tide flats and the forest. The surrounding terrain is relatively flat with grass and shrubs growing on the tide flats. Wildflowers are prominent in May and June.

Brown and black bear, moose, waterfowl, shorebirds, eagles, hawks and owls can be seen in this area ( bear safety information ). The Stikine River tideflats are a major stopover spot during spring and fall bird migrations.