Spencer Bench Cabin

Overview

Spencer Bench Cabin is located at 1,900 feet in elevation at the end of the Spencer Bench Trail. The trail climbs away from the lake revealing breathtaking views of the Placer River Valley, Spencer Lake and the Spencer Glacier below. The cabin sits just below several alpine meadows with vegetation of low shrubs, grasses and summer wildflowers.  Please note: some years Spencer Bench Trail maintains snow coverage until July. For current trail conditions call the Glacier Ranger District at (907) 783-3242.

Spencer Bench Cabin is available for rent year round although winter recreation here requires an advanced skillset and knowledge of avalanche hazards to access this Cabin via skis or snowmachines in the winter. Some parties do opt to charter a ski plane or helicopter to provide quick and easy winter access. 

From May 25th through September 15th 2024, the Alaska Railroad provides access to the area via the Glacier Discovery Train. Please verify schedules and book train tickets at the Alaska Railroad website prior to relying on the train for transportation.   

Outside of the core summer season, the Placer river valley (and Spencer Lake) is accessible via jet boat and float plane.  

Recreation

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 during the summer months. Glaciers and peaks around the cabin offer experienced climbers a challenging adventure.

For winter recreationists, this cabin provides an incredible base camp for backcountry skiing and snowmachine adventures. It takes an advanced skillset and knowledge of avalanche hazards to access this Cabin via skis or snowmachines in the winter. Some parties do opt to charter a ski plane or helicopter to provide quick and easy winter access. More information on avalanche hazards in this area can be found at the Chugach National Forest Avalanche Center website .  

Facilities

The cabin is a 15x17-foot, trapper-style cabin made entirely out of Alaskan yellow cedar. It can sleep six to eight people and offers a small kerosene heater, wooden bunks, a table with benches, fire extinguisher, and an outhouse. Electricity, water, toilet paper, and fuel (kerosene) for the heater are not provided. Guests are responsible for supplying their own drinking water, kerosene for heater (Typically 1 gallon/ day is sufficient), 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 should be treated before consumption.

Natural Features

Black and brown bears, wolves, lynx, wolverine 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 and Salmon Berries are plentiful in the late summer, along with low-bush blueberries.

Contact Info

Nearby Attractions

During Summer months train transportation is required to reach the Spencer Whistlestop. To catch the train (reservations required) to the Spencer Whistle Stop, drive south from Anchorage on the Seward Highway to the Portage Rail Depot (Milepost 80) and check in at the Train station. In the winter months there are 2 snowmachine parking lots at Seward Highway Milepost 78 where snowmachines can access the Cabin by heading up the Placer River Valley. Please note: over snow access is condition dependent. For current conditions call the Glacier Ranger District office at (907) 783-3242.