The public cabin at Middle Ridge has been closed down for the week, following reports of vandalism over the Thanksgiving weekend.
An Alaska Wildlife Trooper who discovered the scene
on Sunday called the United States Forest Service’s Wrangell office, which maintains the site.
“We got a report things had been broken,” said Randy Griffith, a supervisor for Wrangell Ranger District. Wall surfaces were effaced and some broken furniture was counted among the damage.
Public use of the popular cabin has been suspended until repairs can be made. The damage was not as extensive as initially feared, and by Tuesday Griffith guessed a crew would be able to wrap up work pretty quickly.
“They’ve got all the necessary equipment,” he said. “We’re hoping to have the closure lifted by the weekend.”
Repairs for facilities are paid for with the district’s general budget, though cabin refurbishment funds can sometimes be acquired through Resource Advisory Committee grants.
An investigation into the damage is ongoing. The office requests that any information regarding the incident be conveyed to USFS law enforcement officer Doug Ault at 874-2323.
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