HOOK POINT CABIN

Hinchinbrook Island is in the Gulf of Alaska at the entrance to Prince William Sound. The cabin is located in a mature spruce stand at the edge of a long, sandy intertidal beach on the Gulf of Alaska side of the island. Steep mountains rise from behind the cabin. Wildlife in the area abounds, including Sitka black-tail deer and brown bear ( learn 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: Hook Point Cabin has two small creeks in the area, but only one of them is fishable. Pink salmon, coho salmon and cutthroat trout are found in a creek about a mile east of the cabin. Razor clams can provide a tasty alternative to fish. The best clamming spots may take awhile to find, but in a minus tide (0.0 feet or lower), visitors can search the shore for them ( local tide tables ). There are miles of sandy beach for beachcombing. This is one of the better beaches in the spring, as winter storms wash up Japanese fishing floats, shells, bottles and other wave-swept treasures from the open ocean. Several primitive trails extend from the cabin into the forest. A nearby waterfall makes a good day hike destination. 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.