Esker Stream Cabin
Wrangell - St Elias National Park & Preserve
Built in 2002, Esker Stream Cabin is located near Yakutat, 20 miles (32 km) across Yakutat Bay in the southern coastal region of Wrangell-St. Elias Preserve, offering seclusion and relaxation. The cabin is accessible by air via beach landing in a wheeled airplane and is dependent on tide and glacial ice conditions. There is no Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) identifier or landing strip, nor good tie-down area for private aircraft. The cabin is located at sea level, surrounded by mature spruce and birch, and may include opportunities to see bears, moose, wolves, whales and shorebirds. Access to the cabin requires a short but unimproved 0.34 mile (.5 km) walk with a stream crossing. Off-Road Vehicles (ORVs) are not allowed for recreational or subsistence use in the park or preserve in the Malaspina Forelands.
The cabin has no running water or plumbing. You may collect water from nearby Esker Stream, a short easy walk from the cabin. In winter, the park recommends carrying potable water since the stream may be frozen. The cabin contains four twin-sized wooden bunks (sleeps four people), a table with benches and an oil burning stove. Heating oil is not provided. The park recommends bringing your own subbly of kerosene or K1 commercial grade fuel. There is also a porch and a rustic pit toilet that is not regularly maintained. Please bring your own toilet paper. For more info, visit the Esker Stream Cabin page on the park website.
Need to Know
- There are no on-site payment facilities at this location. All payments, changes and refund transactions will be through Recreation.gov.
- The cabin is accessible by air via beach landing in a wheeled airplane and is dependent on tide and glacial ice conditions.
- There is no FAA identifier or landing strip, nor good tie-down area for private aircraft.
- The maximum use of a cabin per person is seven nights in a 30-day period, unless you have written permission from the superintendent.
- This cabin is located in a remote, rugged area. The remoteness of this cabin necessitates being prepared to handle any emergency situation.
- Excursions onto glaciers should not be attempted without prior knowledge and experience in glacier travel and safety.
- The park does not stock heating oil, water, dishes, supplies, sleeping pads, bedding, or other amenities.
- Cabins are not regularly maintained. There is no running water or plumbing.
- Dogs are allowed but please clean up after your pet.
- Be wildlife aware! Bears and moose frequent the area; be prepared for encounters. To learn more, download the park's bear safety brochure (PDF)
- There are numerous insects in this area. The park strongly recommends head nets during the summer months.
- You must pack out all garbage and leftover food. Burying or burning garbage is prohibited. No food is to be left behind!
- Do not remove or relocate any artifacts or deface any buildings.
- Please clean when you leave. It is a tradition is to leave the cabin cleaner than when you arrived!
Natural Features
The cabin is surrounded by mature spruce and birch with Yakutat Bay nearby. The Malaspina Glacier is to the northwest of the cabin and other glaciers are located throughout the bay area, including the Hubbard Glacier. There are numerous streams, lakes, marshes and tidal flats in the area, and mountains of the Tongass National Forest can be viewed from across the bay.
Nearby Attractions
Although the cabin is remotely located, there may be opportunities to visit other attractions in Yakutat Bay, depending on your mode of transportation and experience level. The Malaspina and Hubbard Glaciers may be accessible, along with several other smaller glaciers. The Russell Fjord Wilderness of the Tongass National Forest is located across the bay from the cabin; all travel is dependent on tide and glacial ice conditions.
Recreation
Opportunities for recreation include sea kayaking, whale watching, exploring and hiking around the cabin and the Esker Stream drainage, or walking on the beach southeast for three miles to Bancas Point. This is a remote, rugged area, dependent on tide and glacial ice conditions. Be sure you're familiar with backcountry safety before venturing out to hike. To learn more, visit the Backcountry Safety page on the park website.
This cabin is located in the preserve, so sport and subsistence hunting is allowed. A State of Alaska hunting license is required, and if you are a subsistence hunter, a federal subsistence hunting permit may be required. Please refer to state and federal hunting regulations. ORVs are not allowed for recreational or subsistence use in the park and preserve in the Malaspina Forelands. Nearby Esker Stream is suitable for fishing. If you plan to fish, a State of Alaska fishing license is required.
Changes & Cancellations
A $10 fee applies to change or cancel reservations.
Contact Information
Mailing
PO Box 439 Mile 106.8 Richardson Hwy Copper Center AK 99573
Phone Number
For campground inquiries, please call: 907-822-7250
Rental Options
Learn more about gear rental options for your trip
Driving Directions
It is not possible to drive to the cabin. Esker Stream Cabin is located near Yakutat, 20 miles (32 km) across Yakutat Bay and is accessed by air via beach landing in a wheeled plane. There is no airstrip or FAA identifier; the fly-in access is a beach landing that is dependent on tide and glacial ice conditions. There is no good tie-down area for private aircraft. Planes generally land on the opposite side of Little Esker Stream from the cabin, and it is recommended that you bring hip boots for the stream crossing. The trail to walk to the cabin is 0.35 miles and is signed but not improved. Groups often share an air taxi on their arrival/departure day.
GPS Coordinates: -139.767237933, 59.88095201
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