Residents and visitors of Hoonah can now reserve the newly constructed Forest Service cabin at Eight Fathom Bight. Visitors can rent Eight Fathom Cabin by calling the National Recreation Reservation Service at 877-444-6777 or online at www.recreation.gov.
Story last updated at 5/5/2010 - 3:10 pm
HOONAH - Residents and visitors of Hoonah can now reserve the newly constructed Forest Service cabin at Eight Fathom Bight. This cabin, funded with stimulus dollars from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, provided much needed jobs to the local community.
"This contract came at a critical time," said Wes Tyler, owner of Icy Straits Lumber and Milling, a subcontractor for the project. "[Staffing] got very thin just before. We were having to lay people off, so this was a real big boost."
Icy Straits Lumber and Milling constructed the 16-by-20-foot cabin from yellow cedar and spruce harvested and processed in the Hoonah area. The cabin is complete with a stove, table, benches, bunks and a full loft.
This cabin replaces a thirty-year-old cabin inherited by the Forest Service, which was difficult to access and made even more so by a wind storm that knocked trees down around the cabin.
Cabin construction took place at the ferry terminal in Hoonah to allow visitors to see their tax dollars, and the employees they funded, at work. Once completed, the structure was transported by barge to its permanent location at Eight Fathom Bight, which is easily accessible by boat or plane.
Eight Fathom Bight is a popular location for hunting and fishing. A network of roads provides motorized access around the area. After a long day of hunting, fishing, or exploring, visitors can relax at the nearby Neka Hot Springs.
