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Hinchinbrook Island is in the Gulf of Alaska at the entrance to Prince William Sound. The Double Bay cabin is located on a narrow peninsula with Double Bay on one side and Prince William Sound on the other. It sits near a tidal lagoon that transitions to low, rolling hillsides defined by muskeg and a patchy forest of mature spruce and hemlock. Wildlife in the area abounds, including migratory waterfowl, Sitka black-tailed deer and brown bear ( learn more about bear safety ). The beaches on the Prince William Sound shoreline offer views of the Sound and the surrounding mountains. Occasionally, humpback and killer whales can be seen spouting offshore.
Recreation: Anglers will find several creeks flowing into the bay. In mid-July, pink and chum salmon enter the bay to spawn in the creeks, with the coho salmon arriving in mid-August. Halibut can be found in the saltwater near the mouth of the bay and in the Sound. Although these creeks can be accessed from shore, the hike can be difficult at high tide when the creeks are flooded and deep, or at low tide when the mud flats are exposed ( local tide tables ). It is best to bring a small inflatable boat and motor to get around the bay to the creeks, and to fish the bay at low tide. Hunters can take advantage of a long hunting season on the island and in the surrounding national forest. Bear season occurs during spring and fall, while deer season begins in late summer and lasts through late fall.
Nearby: Located on the southwest end of Hinchinbrook Island, Cape Hinchinbrook Lighthouse is a fantastic historical site that has proved invaluable at directing vessels to and from Prince William Sound. Though no longer used as a primary navigational aid, the beacon still serves as a reassuring presence along the rugged Alaskan coast.