Wrangell, AK

Shakes Slough 1 Cabin

Availability

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About this spot

Overview

Shakes Slough 1 Cabin makes an excellent basecamp for exploring the Stikine River. It is located at the confluence of the Stikine River and Shakes Slough and within a few hundred feet of neighboring Shakes Slough 2 Cabin. These cabins offer spectacular views of the surrounding Stikine-LeConte Wilderness. The site can be accessed by float plane or shallow draft boat, depending on conditions. A tide of at least 14 feet is required to navigate the Stikine River tide flats. Guests are responsible for their own travel arrangements and safety, and must bring several of their own amenities.

Recreation

This area of the Stikine River offers plenty of places to explore by boat. Shakes Lake and Glacier are located three miles north of the cabin and offer excellent opportunities to view wildlife and scenery. The Chief Shakes Hot Springs are approximately four miles upstream, and can be accessed by boat from Hot Springs Slough, which is off the Ketili Slough. A 0.3-mile trail leads from Hot Springs Slough to the Chief Shakes Hot Springs. River levels and tide charts should be checked before any boating activity in the area. Cutthroat trout and Dolly Varden are in the river from June to October, but a boat is needed to reach the trout streams. Hunting is also available in the area during designated seasons.

Facilities

The 12-by-14 cabin (pan-abode style) was built in 1962 and has two single and two double bunks, to sleep up to four people. The cabin also has a table and benches, broom, oil heater and an outhouse. A wooden cooler box for food storage is located on the partially covered front porch. Water and electricity are not provided, and there are no natural drinking water sources near the cabin. Guests must bring their own drinking water. 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 cabin is tucked into a stand of spruce trees back from the bank of the Stikine River. It overlooks Shakes Slough and offers spectacular views of Popof Glacier, Mount Basargin and other nearby peaks. The vegetation in front of the cabin is primarily ferns and salmonberry, with willow and alder along the slough. The surrounding rainforest consists of Sitka spruce and western hemlock, with cottonwood on the valley bottom. Brown and black bears roam the area, and moose are sometimes seen among the willow thickets ( bear safety information ). Mountain goats can occasionally be spotted in the surrounding mountains. The Stikine River tide flats are a major stopover point in the spring and fall for migratory shorebirds and waterfowl.

Typical weather

Air temperature

Average daily high-low
Average daily high and low air temperature, January through DecemberEach vertical bar shows a monthly average daily high and low in degrees Fahrenheit.32°26°JJanuary: average high 32°F, average low 26°F32°23°FFebruary: average high 32°F, average low 23°F37°27°MMarch: average high 37°F, average low 27°F44°32°AApril: average high 44°F, average low 32°F52°40°MMay: average high 52°F, average low 40°F63°49°JJune: average high 63°F, average low 49°F66°54°JJuly: average high 66°F, average low 54°F67°55°AAugust: average high 67°F, average low 55°F58°49°SSeptember: average high 58°F, average low 49°F47°38°OOctober: average high 47°F, average low 38°F35°28°NNovember: average high 35°F, average low 28°F28°21°DDecember: average high 28°F, average low 21°F

5-year average · Open-Meteo

Stikine River

Average water temperature
Average water temperature for Stikine River, January through DecemberEach point shows the monthly average water temperature in degrees Fahrenheit.33°JJanuary: average water temperature 33°F33°FFebruary: average water temperature 33°F33°MMarch: average water temperature 33°F35°AApril: average water temperature 35°F44°MMay: average water temperature 44°F47°JJune: average water temperature 47°F47°JJuly: average water temperature 47°F46°AAugust: average water temperature 46°F43°SSeptember: average water temperature 43°F39°OOctober: average water temperature 39°F35°NNovember: average water temperature 35°F33°DDecember: average water temperature 33°F

Water: STIKINE R NR WRANGELL AK (USGS 15024800)

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