HATCH PASS ROAD

This mountain trail to Hatcher Pass passes through the southwestern Talkeetna Mountains. It is located between Palmer and Willow and twists and turns for 64 km, offering impressive and wonderful views, a scenic landscape. On a clear day you can see the Chugach Mountains and Palmer's Pioneer Peak. This is a tour to be done by SUV or 4x4 to get to Willow (which is 42 km from the pass), as the trail is rough and only open from July to September. Visitors usually only do one part of the trail, from Palmer to the pass (19 km), with Hatcher Pass Lodge nearby. It is dotted with bucolic picnic areas. It leads to the start of many marked hikes in the alpine tundra colored with wild flowers, blueberries and other wild berries. The best chance to see marmots, hawks and golden eagles in these mountains is on foot. This route also leads to the Summit Lake State Recreation Site, a starting point for paragliders that take off from the steep slopes of this area, and to Independence Mine Park, an old gold mine that has been transformed into a small museum about mining during the gold rush in the area between 1938 and 1950. The tour of the historic buildings takes 45 minutes. The Hatcher Pass Road trail also leads in winter to a ski area, Independence Bowl, for sliding on the fresh powder enjoyed by the Junior Olympic cross-country ski team that trains here all season.