“The Woodshed” pen and ink drawing by Gail Niebrugge, collection of the artist.
On a rocky peninsula jutting out into the canyon 800 feet above a creek stood an amazing cabin with an even more amazing outhouse. This privately owned property is located many miles up the Nugget Creek trail and can be reached only by all terrain vehicle in the summer, and snow machine in the winter. To access the cabin we parked the ATV’s in a small pull-out along the trail and climbed down the cliffs using a narrow footpath to a very small ledge where the little cabin is perched on a pinnacle on the edge of the steep canyon. The outhouse shares space with the woodshed and is placed next to a sheer drop off. The view from the outhouse is spectacular and scary, from the seat inside you can see the river far below. The narrow canyon is only about 200 yards wide and its’ vertical walls are higher than the cabin. We were struck dumb by the meticulous construction at this difficult site, knowing all the materials had to be hauled in over the same trail we just traveled. Our stay at this delightful place was restful and full of wonder. I made many sketches of the area, kept a journal, and drew maps and elevations of the building site. Having permission to stay in this remarkable place is an honor and a privilege.
More tomorrow,
Gail Niebrugge, Artist of Alaska
