Upper Russian Lake Cabin

The cabin is great. The boat provided is marginal at best, it leaks and hasn’t been fixed in YEARS. The last 5 mi of the 11 mi trail in from the Upper Russian trailhead is covered with 5’ Devil’s club and brush so is very wet most of the time! Blueberries are plentiful, enjoy!

My favorite cabin of the three on the Russian Lakes Trail. It is the most authentic, rustic “log cabin” with hand hewn walls, beams and roof. I really liked the hand made furniture: chairs, benches, table and bed frames. And the view of the Upper Russian Lake from the beach area was spectacular. This cabin also had the best sleeping arrangement of the 3 cabins with adequate space for 4 people on the bottom bunks and 2 people on top. None of the cabins were built for 8 people unless 2 are willing to sleep on the floor. The only downside of this cabin is that the interior has less light than the other 2, partly because of the surrounding cottonwood trees and partly because of the smaller windows. But overall we were quite pleased with this cabin.

Cabin was in good shape. Not much wood left as of 2/14/22

Unable to locate the cabin the first night had to spent the night camped out. Appon arriving at the cabin the next day there was no firewood at all had to find a dead stand of trees and cut and split wood and left the firebox full for the next visitors.

Cute old cabin. It is a bit dark and the windows don't open so if you want fresh air, you have to leave the door open. Not an option at night given the bears in the area. Lots, and I mean LOTS, of bear sign at this time of year given the salmon in the river. The cabin also needs a deep clean. It was a bit dingy. I was expecting it to be more scenic at the cabin so I was disappointed to see all the tall trees and vegetation around the cabin. Very scenic from the beach just a short walk from the cabin. Glad we visited but probably won't come back to this cabin.

Great cabin. Feels like the real Alaska. Be near aware!

The cabin was in great shape. As per the logbook, a previous hiker had recovered the rowboat, which presumably had been improperly tied up by someone prior. Immediately before my stay, a USFS ranger made temporary repairs to the boat, and we were able to take it out on the lake for a short trip. (The ranger advised that a new boat was on-order.) No bear sightings, but we saw salmon entering the lake and a young porcupine near the cabin.

Great wilderness values; pretty remote. Cabin is nice. Arduous 9 mi hike from Snug Harbor Road makes you feel you have earned the trip. pervasive bikepackers coming through the camp taints some of the remoteness. The hole in the boat renders it useless which should be remedied immediately.

Great little cabin with lots of character and plenty of firewood.

Used to be our favorite cabin. However I don't think we will come back. Cabin needs signage to let people know that when it is rented they should not approach. Spent weekend explaining people why they are not welcome to come and check the cabin inside, or have a picnic by it or just hang out around it, when we are currently renting it and are there. Had to argue with couple cyclists who apparently agreed to meet someone at the cabin and was determined to sit on the cabin porch and wait for their buddies. Used to be great staying in it. Now, I would not advise booking it. At least if your schedule allows - not on weekends.
Also, its getting trashed. People leave their stuff there: old sleepers, food leftovers, sleeping pad just to name a few we discovered. It was not as bad previously.