| alert |
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| contractID |
NRSO |
| description |
Spencer Bench Cabin is located at 1,900 feet in elevation at the end of Spencer Bench Trail, climbing away from the lake revealing breathtaking views of the Placer River Valley, Spencer Lake and Glacier below. The cabin sits just below several alpine meadows with vegetation of low shrubs, grasses and summer wildflowers. Spencer Bench Cabin is available to rent on Recreation.gov from September 19 through May 26 annually. During the summer season, from May 27 through September 18, the Alaska Railroad provides access to the area as well as reservations for Spencer Bench Cabin. To reserve the cabin during the summer season, call the Alaska Railroad at 800-544-0552. |
| drivingDirection |
The nearest place to park before heading overland to this cabin is the Placer River Boat Launch at Mile Post (MP) 78 of the Seward Highway. Head south from Anchorage on the Seward Highway, the boat launch is one mile south of the Portage Highway junction; head northeast from anywhere on the Kenai Peninsula on the Seward Highway until reaching the boat launch. |
| facilitiesDescription |
The cabin is a 15x17-foot, trapper-style cabin made entirely out of Alaskan yellow cedar. It can sleep six people and offers a small kerosene heater, wooden bunks, a table with benches, fire extinguisher, and an outhouse. Electricity, water and fuel for the heater are not provided. Guests are responsible for supplying their own drinking water, kerosene for heater (one liter will last about four hours), a cook stove, flashlights or lanterns, bedding, mattresses, toilet paper, garbage bags, cookware, dishes and utensils. A creek is located near the cabin site but water must be treated before consumption. |
| facility |
SPENCER BENCH CABIN |
| facilityID |
132241 |
| fullReservationUrl |
http://www.reserveamerica.com/campsiteSearch.do?contractCode=NRSO&parkId=132241&cmp=39-32--joewils |
| importantInformation |
Access to the Spencer Bench Cabin between October and June can be extremely difficult. Boating up the Placer River is possible, but the river is very shallow in places. Extensive wetlands make cross-country travel nearly impossible. Once the temperatures have dropped below freezing for several weeks and especially after several feet of snow, travel is much improved using snowmachines or skis. Check for motorized use closures prior to using a snowmachine. Spencer Bench Cabin is available for reservations through the Alaska Railroad from May 27 through September 18, annually. To reserve the cabin during the summer season, call the Alaska Railroad at 800-544-0552. The cabin is not available at any time during the year on a first-come, first-served basis. A reservation is always required. Forest Order (10-04-00-14-47) that limits occupying/renting a public use rental cabin for more than seven consecutive days by any group or person |
| nearbyAttrctionDescription |
The Placer River Valley and Spencer Lake developed Recreation area offers diverse recreational opportunities including easy hiking, rock climbing, ice climbing, rafting and fishing during the summer months. In the winter this area is popular with backcountry skiers and snowmobilers. |
| note |
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| orientationDescription |
Black and brown bears, wolves and moose inhabit the area. Mountain goats, marmots, arctic ground squirrels and spruce grouse may be spotted on the terrain around the cabin. Crow berries are plentiful in the late summer, along with low-bush blueberries. |
| recreationDescription |
Spencer Bench provides a picturesque view into the heart of the Chugach National Forest. Although the Spencer Bench Trail currently ends at the cabin, the open alpine areas just above the cabin offer excellent off-trail hiking and sightseeing opportunities. Glaciers and peaks around the cabin offer experienced climbers a challenging adventure. |