South Stikine Spring

City and Borough of Wrangell County, Alaska · Near Wrangell
56.5800°N, 132.1800°W · 2,848 ft
46°F air · Good soaking weather 2,848 ft Open Backcountry US Forest Service Camping nearby (6.3 mi)
Aerial view of the ground around South Stikine Spring

The orange dot marks the spring, in a frame about three quarters of a mile wide.

South Stikine Spring sits high in the Tongass, close to three thousand feet up, roughly 18 miles from Wrangell in the City and Borough of Wrangell. It is Forest Service land, and access is open. No temperature has been recorded, so the spring is a destination on faith. What the row does make plain is the weather.

Location

Backcountry, between eight and nine miles from the nearest road. More than 280 inches of snow fall in a season, with rain to match. Average yearly temperature is a few degrees above freezing. That adds up to snowbound winters and a short open season. There is a cabin, Mount Rynda, in the file.

Mount Rynda Cabin, about six miles off, is the only shelter the record mentions. No fee and no recommended months appear in the file. With snow that deep, the usable window is short and falls in summer. Treat the temperature as unknown and the route as unmarked, since the record describes neither.

Terrain

USGS hasn't flown a detailed laser scan here yet, so this view comes from aerial photos and older elevation data.

Setting
Canyon floor
Steep ground climbs away on both sides of the spring.
Highest ground nearby
135 ft above the spring
Within a quarter mile, to the west
Cross-section through the spring

A slice through the ground from west to east, about 0.6 miles end to end.

Elevation data: USGS 3D Elevation Program. Aerial imagery: USGS The National Map. Public domain.

Monthly Climate
20°
Jan
19°
Feb
23°
Mar
30°
Apr
39°
May
45°
Jun
49°
Jul
49°
Aug
44°
Sep
33°
Oct
24°
Nov
20°
Dec
Annual Precip: 122.5 in Annual Snow: 281.4 in
Current Conditions
46°F
Fog ESE 12.4 mph 100% Good soaking weather
Tuesday 54° Low 43° Patchy Fog then Mostly Sunny
Wednesday 48° Low 45° Light Rain 100% precip
Thursday 48° Low 46° Light Rain Likely 69% precip
Friday 47° Low 46° Heavy Rain 100% precip
Saturday 47° Low 45° Light Rain then Rain Showers 100% precip
Nearby Camping
Nearby Camping
Mount Rynda Cabin 6.3 mi away

Overview Mount Rynda Cabin is located on Andrews Creek near its confluence with the Stikine River. It is located within the Stikine-LeConte Wilderness and is popular for fishing and paddling. The site can be accessed by float plane or shallow draft boat, depending on conditions. A tide of 14 feet or higher is required to cross the Stikine River tide flats. Guests are responsible for their own travel arrangements and safety, and must bring several of their own amenities. Recreation Two miles...

Reservable Yes
Reserve on Recreation.gov →
Temperature
No data recorded
Avg Air Temp 33°F
Access
Open
Road Access Backcountry
Distance to Road 8.6 mi
Land
Ownership Federal
Agency US Forest Service
Designation National Forest
Unit Tongass National Forest
Manager US Forest Service
Protection 3 - Protected, subject to extractive use
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is South Stikine Spring located?
South Stikine Spring is located in City and Borough of Wrangell, Alaska at 2,848 feet elevation, near Wrangell. Coordinates: 56.5800°N, 132.1800°W.
How do I get to South Stikine Spring?
South Stikine Spring has Backcountry road access (8.6 mi from the road).
Is South Stikine Spring free to visit?
South Stikine Spring has Open access. It is managed by US Forest Service.
Can I camp near South Stikine Spring?
Yes, Mount Rynda Cabin is located nearby (6.3 miles away).