Gambier Bay (Church Bight Cabin)

[alaskacabin]

The Church Bight Cabin is on the South side of Gambier Bay. In Church Bight Around Church Point which is near chapel Island. It has long been a favorite of bear and deer hunters and has also saved a few people who were desperate for shelter in bad weather. It is an older cabin as are most of the Forest Service cabins on Admiralty. It has seen regular maintenance by both the Forest Service and Territorial Sportsmen. The access is great at high tide but low tide reveals a long tidal flat. If you are comming by boat you will need to anchor about a third of a mile out. The anchorage is good in a southeast may be a little bit bad in a northerly. The area is rich in viewable wildlife land and sea. About 16 miles from 5 finger lighthouse it is centrally located for lots of summer fun. This is a great place to bring a kayak or small boat (inflatable) and spend some time.

Just an aside about Forest Service Cabins. Many cabins are barely used this cabin at my last check had only 2 days in the next 6 months booked. In talking with the Forest Service we can actually save cabins and get them more maintenance attention just by renting them. They are inexpensive (although that is also an issue) and a great resource to visitors and locals. So get out there and save a cabin.

You can access this cabin with your own boat although you need to be able to run at least 180 miles without refueling. You can charter a plane (make sure it is high tide) or you can charter a boat. This cabin is about 70 miles from Juneau and about 55 miles from Petersburg.

[CanCanCase]

Hi Peter!

Since this one's on Admiralty, is it operated and maintained by the Feds, or is it still a part of the State park system? I couldn't find any reference to it on the State Park website...

-Case

[alaskacabin]

It is a usfs cabin here is a link to there website Pybus Cabin

[alaskacabin]

Quick reply I gave the link to Pybus. I guess that is another thread. Here is Church Bight Church Bight Cabin

[tater03]

May I ask why the Church Bight Cabin in not all that popular? I just find it such a shame to hear that it might have to close so was wondering why it is not popular? Thanks.

[alaskacabin]

I think that some of these more remote sites have just been overlooked. It is difficult to get to them so people tend to rent the cabins closer to town. These cabins are all in good places but no one is really promoting them. They are important to our region and this forum will hopefully help generate some interest and get them rented and used.

[CanCanCase]

I was just going to say I'll bet it has to do with the more remote location.

Hey, Peter... how long do you suppose it will take us to get authorization from the FS to make a few improvements (if necessary) to Church Bight? I'll be down that way the majority of May and again in early August.

-Case

[alaskacabin]

I have a pretty good relationship with the Admiralty folks at the Forest Service. I bet I can get permission for at least some stuff by just asking. Some of the contact people are out until their seasonl employment starts back up. We can make a plan and I will follow up ASAP

[CanCanCase]

Maybe you can stop by for a quick survey on your way up in April. If we can get permission fast enough, I'll put my Home Depot credit card into the hat, and haul a few supplies down the week before MayFest...

-Case

[lena_mae1983]

I was curious so I visted the link. The photos look so peaceful and serene there. Beautiful country!

[alaskacabin]

It really truly is peacful country. Pybus Bay, Gambier, Portage Bay, Five Finger Lighthouse, Port Alexander and many others all share that quality. Even during a storm it is somehow peaceful inside a cozy cabin.

[Roguegal]

That is absolutely a most beautiful place I've ever seen. If it wasn't for the access, I would love to spend a week or two there.

[alaskacabin]

The access will all change when the cabin gets rebuilt in the next few years. USFS has this to remodeled as an accessible site. We will see more and more access for all types of users and have made great improvements in the past 4 or 5 years. Access can be improved more quickly if private foundations or grant money is pursued. The government is spending all our money on Humvees.

[Roguegal]

That's great! Maybe you can get a couple of government grants to take care of it. I don't think they need Humvees.

[alaskacabin]

Church Bight Cabin Update

The Forest service will be adding an oil stove this spring. If all goes as they have planned it should have an oil and a wood stove. Niether wood or oil is provided so plan on bringing your own. A little under a gallon per day of #1 diesel is plenty for summer use. Also it is good practice to leave some extra as these cabins are very important emergency shelters.

[Oigen]

I don't think I can afford to save more than one cabin. But I'll talk to some people, see what can be done. You've got great initiatives, it's good to see there still are people like you out there...