Located about four miles south on the western shore of Eklutna Lake inside Chugach State Park, the new, spacious Kokanee Cabin offers backcountry paddling and skiing with a strong wilderness vibe. Off the trail system and reachable only by traveling across the lake, the cabin is surrounded by forest that’s seen almost no human use. With this isolation, it’s a place that asks for self-sufficiency and gives solitude, plus a taste of what it might feel like to be a pioneer on a remote lake.
Isolation And Solitude
As the sun sets, it can be an eerie setting, inspiring wariness. You might hear the howling of wolves. Come morning, though, you are poised to explore the lake’s least visited shore and well-positioned for snow adventures in upper Eklutna Valley. The campfire area has great lake views, while the covered porch protects during chilly downpours.
Amenities
Stylish 16-by-20 partial log cabin on pillars, overlooking Eklutna Lake, with sleeping space for six in bunks and two more on floor. Wood stove, cooking bench and large table inside. Outside are fire ring, picnic table and outhouse. Lots of storage space inside and beneath the cabin for winter gear.
New in 2016, the Kokanee Cabin has an elevated covered porch with a good view and shelter from the rain. Four of the sleeping spots share the same big platform that acts as seating for the table. It’s an ingenious arrangement, but sleeping six would be cozy, and eight might feel crowded.
If the lake is cloudy, fresh water can be found at a spring up a trail, but should be purified. There’s plenty of downed wood for campfires and heating, but you’ll need a camp saw, especially in winter.
Tent camping is allowed on the beach, but lake levels can vary a lot and the beach sometimes submerges during high water periods.
What Can You Do At Eklutna Lake Kokanee Cabin?
- Paddle the shore to explore river and creek mouths that are difficult to access on foot. Some people circumnavigate the lake in sea kayaks.
- Hike an untouched mountain slope behind the cabin on game trails.
- Depending upon ice and snow conditions, you might hike, ski, snow bike, Nordic skate on glare ice. Skate ski on spring crust. Dog sled or snowshoe through new snow, or cruise on snowmobiles.
- Take a multi-day trip. The cabin is one third of the way to Serenity Falls Hut — six or seven miles away at the valley’s head — making Kokanee a potential first-night stop.
