Thank you for your interest in “The Cape”, we are eager to share this magnificent place.  The following is a synopsis of the what’s, where’s and how’s; if you still have questions please email the above addresses.

OUR MISSION

To preserve and attempt to restore the Cape St. Elias lighthouse station for public use.

WHAT

The Cape is leased to the CSELA a 501 (c) (3) non profit established in 1998 at which time the United States Coast Guard (USCG)in order  to cut the government costs  leased  out most of the lighthouses in Alaska.  We chose to accept the challenge, which has been a most daunting, extremely expensive and difficult due to time, distance and transportation costs, albeit it’s been a rewarding, enlightening and a grand adventure!

WHERE

CSELA is located on Kayak Island approximately 60 air miles southeast of Cordova Alaska. Kayak island is approximately 22 miles long and 2 miles wide. Cape St. Elias is located on the tip i.e. east coast is on the Gulf of Alaska and the west coast nearer the entrance to Prince William Sound.

Kayak Island is inhabited with the usual Alaskan mammals, brown bear, marmot, deer, occasional moose, a plethora of birds, a rookery of sea lions and numerous small animals. Due to its location and geography a vast assortment of flotsam and jetsam often finds its way onto the island beaches and yes, that includes the occasional glass balls. This makes for an exciting hike, as you never know what you might come upon.

HOW

The process to reserve the cabin is to email through this website info@capestelias.org. your email will be answered as soon as possible, please include in the first first inquiry the full names, DOB, phone and email contact of every person planning to travel.

If you have questions please read our FAQ’s first and if needed add your questions in the notes, upon receipt of your reservation we will reply and you will be given directions to the next step in your adventure.

There is no guarantee the weather will cooperate Cape St. Elias Lighthouse Assn. will not penalize anyone who is unable to fly out due to poor weather. We do however require a 50% of lodging deposit that will be forfeited if reservation is cancelled within 14 days or less of departure. The remaining 50% will be due upon your return to Cordova.

TRANSPORTATION

Fly Alaska Air or ferry AMHS.gov into Cordova, Alaska

• Ridgeline Aviation: Owner and operator is Stephen Richards (a.k.a. Captain Steve)
  907-429-6966
  info@flyridgeline.com
  www.flyridgeline.com

  • Ridgeline Aviation staff will inform you of availability of aircraft and costs to travel to The Cape.

  • Ridgeline Aviation is a completely separate company.

FOR ALL OTHER QUESTIONS NOT RELATED TO FLYING PLEASE CONTACT: INFO@CAPESTELIAS.ORG

***THE 1st STEP is to email your request, dates and travelers information through this site INFO@CAPESTELIAS.ORG

THE HIKE IN

YOU ARE GOING TO UNINHABITED & WILD ISLAND, AND A POSSIBLY UNFORGIVING SITUATION FOR THOSE UNPREPARED. KAYAK ISLAND CAN CREATE IT’S OWN WEATHER SYSTEM AND THIS CAN CAUSE DELAYS IN GOING OUT OR GETTING BACK FROM THERE. IT IS HIGHLY SUGGESTED HAVING BACK COUNTRY EXPERIENCE, PROPER GEAR, ADEQUATE FOOD AND TIME IN CASE OF DELAYS DUE TO WEATHER.

WE REQUIRE COMMUNICATION VIA PHONE WITH EVERYONE WHO IS INTERESTED IN GOING TO THE CAPE, PRIOR TO A CONFIRMED RESERVATION.

WE REQUIRE THIS CHAT TO EXPLAIN, THE ENTIRE EXPERIENCE THAT IS AHEAD OF YOUR GROUP, TO ENSURE YOU UNDERSTAND THAT YOU WILL BE ON YOUR OWN AND TOTALLY IN CHARGE OF YOUR BEHAVIOR.

It is easy for some and hell for others, be prepared to take your time, drink plenty of water and eat your snacks.  But do stop, look up and around a lot…. it’s a magical place.  The hike into the lighthouse is rigorous and involves some scrambling over wet logs and boulders. Just shy of three miles, it takes approximately 2 hours and is best done at low tide. This is a wilderness trip and you need to be prepared for that. Once the plane leaves you are on your own. Just remember the tide waits for no one… so be aware.

THE CAPE

Is rustic, there is no electricity or running water.  However the beach just out front provides wood fuel that will heat the bunkhouse, there is a water catchment system which is adequate for providing fresh water which should always be treated.

The bunkhouse is very comfortable and can sleep up to ten people. There are dishes, pots and pans, cooking utensils, silverware, spices, tools, a propane stove (pilot light needs to be lit and then shut off completely at departure) and propane lights if needed.  In addition there are oil lamps, some dried and canned goods in case of an extended stay due to weather.  Cell phone reception is also usually good but not a guarantee, depending on your server and the weather.

To make you trip the most pleasurable we suggest the following items be brought with you:

• Sleeping gear and pad.

• Water additives i.e. flavorings

• Good waterproof hiking shoes, (your shoes/boots will get wet) and flip-flops/slip-ons around the camp.

• Bug repellent

• Camera

• Bath towel or washcloth

• Matches

• Binoculars

• Spare batteries

• External charger (that’s charged up)

• VHF or satellite handheld radio is nice if you have one; there are lots of boats passing The Cape in case you need immediate help

• And a sense of adventure

THE GALLEY

Did you know there are at least 30 can openers at The Cape among other items, yes, people  think their helping out or don’t want to carry some stuff out, please don’t be one of those people. Take out what you carry in please!

FOOD

Canned food, dehydrated food, fresh food but keep it inside the cabin (bears love human food), candy bars, snacks, water…if you are going to The Cape we have to assume you have common sense and know what to bring.

In closing, we trust that you will be consciences to keeping the area clean, take out all of your trash, if you have GLASS bottles you can bust them in the ocean to create sea glass.

IMPORTANT THINGS TO REMEMBER

• Make sure you read the in/out postings to ensure the next group has as great experience as you.

• The firewood is replenished

• Make sure the pilot light on the stove and propane tanks are TURNED OFF

• Make sure the door is shut tight and the window shutters are put back up.

  ***Please visit our TESTIMONIALS page after your visit and document you trip for others to read***

Thank you & enjoy your stay,
The Keepers

P.S.  The bears out at The Cape are WILD, please keep it that way! Make lots of noise while hiking and in camp, be very aware of food, bear spray and flares are suggested (inform the pilot so any dangerous cargo can be secured outside the plane) carry a bell, sing, dance make merry and come out without event.