Cabin Rentals

Occupancy of Forest Service cabins is by permit only. Reservations may be made up to 180 days in advance by calling 1-877-444-6777 (518-885-3639 overseas) or via internet at www.recreation.gov. Reservations are restricted to a maximum stay of 7 consecutive nights per party for any one reservation May 1 - September 30 and a maximum stay of 10 consecutive nights per party October 1 - April 30.

Reservation Info	This site can be reserved by calling Toll Free 1-877-444-6777 (International 518-885-3639 or TDD 877-833-6777) or on-line at www.recreation.gov
Size Restrictions	Max no of people - 6

Lake and Pond Fishing

Distin Lake is usually ice free by early May through mid November for fishing. Shallow along edge of lake.

Fish Species	Small population of cutthroat trout, Dolly Varden and kokanee
Special Designations	For fishing information, contact the Alaska Department of Fish and Game.
Fishing Mode	skiff, shoreline, hip and chest waders
Water Temperature	Ice covered for five months and fed by snowmelt and cold rain runoff, this lake remains cold
Fishing Method	Lures: artificial lures - shiny spoons and spinners, and flies
Water/Flow Level	Lake level will rise abruptly and cover shoreline beach during periods of heavy rainfall

Day Hiking

The Distin To Thayer trail is 3.1 miles one-way and can be accessed by cabin skiff or personal canoe. This trail begins at Distin Shelter Cabin and ends at Thayer Lake. The trail climbs from either lake through a spruce/hemlock forest with a maximum elevation and muskeg meadow at the midway point. The trail receives minimal use and is primitive. The round trip hike can be fairly strenuous when conditions are very wet.

Elevation desc	Maximum trail elevation at 1250 feet from either Lake. Snow free from mid May through mid November.
Difficulty Level:	Moderate

Big Game Hunting

The Distin To Thayer trail is 3.1 miles one-way and can be accessed by cabin skiff or personal canoe. This trail begins at Distin Shelter Cabin and ends at Thayer Lake. The trail climbs from either lake through a spruce/hemlock forest with a maximum elevation and muskeg meadow at the midway point. The trail receives minimal use and is primitive. The round trip hike can be fairly strenuous when conditions are very wet. For hunting regulations, contact the Alaska Department of Fish and Game.

Species	Brown Bear, Sitka Blacktail Deer
Difficulty Level:	Moderate

Small Game Hunting

The Distin To Thayer trail is 3.1 miles one-way and can be accessed by cabin skiff or personal canoe. This trail begins at Distin Shelter Cabin and ends at Thayer Lake. The trail climbs from either lake through a spruce/hemlock forest with a maximum elevation and muskeg meadow at the midway point. The trail receives minimal use and is primitive. The round trip hike can be fairly strenuous when conditions are very wet. For hunting information, contact the Alaska Department of Fish and Game.

Species	Marten, Red Squirrel, River Otter, Beaver, Mink
Difficulty Level:	Moderate

Game Bird/Waterfowl

The Distin To Thayer trail is 3.1 miles one-way and can be accessed by cabin skiff or personal canoe. It begins at Distin Shelter Cabin and ends at Thayer Lake. The trail climbs from either lake through a spruce/hemlock forest with a maximum elevation and muskeg meadow at the midway point. The trail receives minimal use and is primitive. The round trip hike can be fairly strenuous when conditions are very wet. For hunting information, contact the Alaska Department of Fish and Game.

Species	Grouse, Canada geese, scoters, long-tailed duck, Barrow's goldeneye, harlequin, and buffleheads along with mallards, scaups, and mergansers.
Difficulty Level:	Moderate

Viewing Wildlife

Admiralty Island's combination of varied ecotypes, pristine habitat, and healthy wildlife populations provides wildlife viewing from the cabin door. Further wildlife viewing can occur along the 3.1 miles one-way Distin To Thayer trail accessed by cabin skiff or personal canoe. This trail begins at Distin Shelter Cabin and ends at Thayer Lake. The trail climbs from either lake through a spruce/hemlock forest with a maximum elevation and muskeg meadow at the midway point. The trail receives minimal use and is primitive. The round trip hike can be fairly strenuous when conditions are very wet.

Species	Brown bear, Sitka blacktail deer, numerous bird species, mink, marten, river otter, beaver, red squirrel, western toad, rough skinned newt are among the list of creatures inhabiting the area.
Difficulty Level:	Moderate

Viewing Plants

Admiralty Island's varied pristine ecotypes provide for extraordinary plant viewing all around the cabin area. Further plant viewing may be gained from hiking the 3.1 miles one-way Distin To Thayer trail accessed by cabin skiff or personal canoe. This trail begins at Distin Shelter Cabin and ends at Thayer Lake. The trail climbs from either lake through a spruce/hemlock forest with a maximum elevation and muskeg meadow at the midway point. The trail receives minimal use and is primitive. The round trip hike can be fairly strenuous when conditions are very wet.

Species

Admiralty Island comprises one of the greatest remaining blocks of productive old-growth temperate rain forest in the world. Alpine, tidal marsh and muskeg meadows are some of the other plant communities. The temperate rainforest primarily consist of western and mountain hemlock, Sitka spruce, alder, yellow cedar and shore pine. Forest understory consists primarily of blueberry, huckleberry, salmonberry, thimbleberry, fern, mosses ,devils club, false azalea, mushrooms and dwarf dogwood.

Difficulty Level:

Moderate

Boating - Motorized

skiff with oars located on lake shoreline by Sportsman cabin

Type of Craft	lake skiff
Motor Type	Cabin users may also choose to bring a small outboard motor (less than 10 horsepower due to wilderness regulations).
Difficulty Level:	Easy

Boating - Non-Motorized

skiff with oars located on lake shoreline by Sportsman cabin

Difficulty Level:	Easy to Intermediate

Swimming

Distin Lake is ice covered for five months, snowmelt and cold rain keeps it full during the spring and summer so the water temperature is never considered warm. Late July through August the surface water near the shoreline can warm enough that on a sunny afternoon a swim is possible.

Difficulty Level:	Easy