Hatcher Pass, Alaska – a Gorgeous Destination for Hiking and Adventure

I’ve loved Hatcher Pass for year. It’s a stunning alpine wonderland in Alaska’s Talkeetna Mountains, and is a treasure trove of natural beauty, mining history, and endless outdoor fun. Located between Palmer and Willow, Hatcher Pass is the perfect spot for anyone looking to experience the ruggedness of Alaska.

Hatcher Pass is a great addition to an Alaska road trip or an easy day trip from either Anchorage or Palmer. We’ve got hikes and history stops for you to make your visit to Hatcher Pass a fun day in the mountains. If you have any questions about visiting or more road trip stops in the MatSu borough, please leave a comment or send us a note. We’re always happy to share more.

State Parks and Recreation Areas in Hatcher Pass

Alright, picture this: 300,000 acres of beautiful Alaskan wilderness. That’s what you get with the Hatcher Pass Management Area. Managed by the Alaska Department of Natural Resources, this vast expanse is an awesome hiking destination, or just a whole lot of beautiful landscapes to enjoy. Hatcher Pass is a combination of alpine meadows that’ll make you want to break into song full-on Sound of Music style, mountain slopes that’ll challenge even the toughest hikers, and historic mining sites that’ll transport you back in time (more on that below).

Independence Mine State Historical Park

Ever wondered what life was like during Alaska’s gold rush or the early 20th century mining days? Well, wonder no more! Independence Mine is your ticket to the past. Once a bustling, large scale gold mining operation, it’s now a fascinating historical park where you can wander through old mining buildings and learn about mining life, including WHY gold mining stopped. The visitor center is packed with cool photos and info, making it a great place to visit with kids. And there’s hiking here too!

The Gold Cord Lake trail is a wonderful hike leaving from the Independence Mine parking area. This will lead you up through the meadows and streams past an old mining cabin, and then up to one of the prettiest alpine lakes in Alaska. I’ve done this hike many times and it never gets old.

Archangel Valley and Archangel Road

If you’re into scenery that’ll make your Instagram followers green with envy, Archangel Valley is your spot. In summer, this place is a riot of colorful wildflowers, perfect for macro photography (if you’re into it). There are lots of small trails to explore, similar to off-trail hiking in Denali NP, as the trails will get you into the wilds and then it’s up to you to navigate. At the end of Archangel Road is the Lane Basin Trail. This is one of the most beautiful/magical feeling hikes I’ve ever done. You’ll love the fairy pools and mossy mounds!

NOTE: I’ve driven MANY bad roads in Alaska. The Archangel Road is the WORST road I’ve even been on and unless you have a very high clearance vehicle you won’t make it to the end. There is parking before the worst of the road though. It’ll add a little over a mile to your Lane Basin hike, but it’s worth it to be able to do the hike AND not get stuck.

And when winter rolls around? The road transforms into a snowy paradise for skiing, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling. The small trails from summer lead to open spaces for winter trekking.

Gold Mint Valley

Calling all hikers and nature enthusiasts! The Gold Mint Trail is a 16-mile adventure that’ll knock your socks off **BUT YOU DON’T HAVE TO DO THE WHOLE THING**. Following the Little Susitna River, this trail is all about the scenic views – we’re talking forests, peaks, and rushing water. Don’t worry if you’re not up for the full 16 miles; plenty of folks enjoy shorter day hikes along this beauty.

The portion of the trail that most hikers do when they come to Hatcher Pass is short version. It’s about 6 miles round trip and is easy to follow. Remember though, like with any hike in Hatcher Pass, there’ll be muddy sections. A lot of water flows through these valleys all spring and summer.

Fun Things to Do in Hatcher Pass

One of the coolest things about Hatcher Pass? It’s an all-season playground! From early fall until late spring the biggest section of the Hatcher Pass Road closes for snow. You’ll be able to access the paved areas mostly, but where the pavement ends (about ten miles from Willow or at Independence Mine HSP) the road closes.

Whether you’re a casual stroller or a hardcore trekker, there’s a trail for you. And the views? Out of this world! You’ve also got trails and off-road areas for mountain biking. Hit up trails like the Willow Fishhook Road or the unpaved Archangel Road on your trusty bike, but be mindful of ATV and vehicle traffic. Alaska Wildlife watching in Hatcher Pass is awesome, especially in spring. Keep your eyes peeled for moose, Dall sheep, marmots, and a whole host of birds. Just remember, look but don’t touch!

Summer Hiking and Backpacking Trails

Gold Mint Trail • Distance: 16 miles round trip (but feel free to turn back whenever, 6 miles RT is the usual distance) • Difficulty: Moderate • Trailhead: Gold Mint Trailhead

This trail is like a greatest hits album of Alaskan scenery. You’ve got the Little Susitna River, lush valleys, rugged peaks – the works! If you’re feeling extra adventurous, you can hike all the way to the Mint Hut. It’s a remote shelter that’ll make you feel like you’re on top of the world.

Lane Basin Trail • Distance: 5 miles round trip • Difficulty: Moderate • Trailhead: Lane Basin Loop

I’ve already mentioned how much I enjoy this trail. While the distance of the Lane Basin Loop is 3 miles, because of how bad the road is, you need to add 2 miles onto your total hike to account for the walk on the road to the trailhead. Once there you’ll have a gradual slope that levels out, passing ponds and small waterfalls with mossy, fairy streams. The route back down is MUCH MORE STEEP and you can either follow the trail to the valley floor on proceed on the portion of the loop you started on.

Reed Lakes Trail • Distance: 8 miles round trip • Difficulty: Challenging (but oh-so-worth it) • Trailhead: Reed Lakes Trailhead

Prepare to fall in love with the Hatcher Pass area if you haven’t yet. I love this hike. This trail serves up waterfalls, glacial rivers, and the star of the show – the turquoise waters of Lower and Upper Reed Lakes. Fair warning: there’s some boulder scrambling involved, but trust me, the views are worth every scramble.

April Bowl Trail • Distance: 2 miles round trip • Difficulty: Easy to moderate (I think it’s hard) • Trailhead: Summit Lake Parking Lot

Short, sweet, and oh-so-scenic! This trail takes you to April Bowl and Hatch Peak, where you’ll be treated to panoramic views that’ll make your heart sing. It’s perfect for families or anyone who wants big views without a big time commitment. This trail is steep, so even though it’s not long and the elevation gain isn’t crazy, it can be difficult, especially if it’s muddy.

Summit Lake Trail • Distance: 1.5 miles round trip • Difficulty: Easy, hard if you do the full Government Peak trail • Trailhead: Summit Lake Parking Lot / Government Peak Tail

Looking for a quick nature fix? Summit Lake Trail has got you covered. In just a short jaunt, you’ll find yourself at a viewpoint overlooking the stunning Summit Lake. On a clear day, you might even catch a glimpse of the Alaska Range in the distance. Talk about bang for your buck! If you are feel energetic and want to go for the peak, Government Peak is beautiful and a challenging hike. You’ll get amazing views and will earn a nice meal in Palmer afterwards.

Winter Skiing and Snowboarding

There is actually a ski area at Hatcher Pass near Palmer. The Seetawk Ski Area opens in fall and stays skiable into mid-spring. There’s a lift and several runs, and this is a great alternative to going down to Alyeska in Girdwood. Backcountry skiing around Independence Mine? Yes, please! If cross-country is more your style, there are plenty of maintained trails to explore.

Snowshoeing is also an option at many trails in the lower Hatcher Pass area. Strap on those snowshoes and discover a whole new side of your favorite summer hiking trails. Snowmobiling is also available but you need to know a local or book a tour. Snowmobiling is fun, and is similar to having an ATV adventure, but the chilly version. There are designated trails for snowmobiling and ATVs, so if you’re going on your own, pay attention for your own safety and the preservation of Hatcher Pass.

Aurora Viewing, aka seeing the Northern Lights is also a reason to come up into Hatcher Pass fall through spring. Want to see the northern lights dance across the sky? Hatcher Pass’s remote location makes it a prime spot for aurora watching because there is ZERO light pollution. You can see them pretty well from nearby Palmer, but for the best, most crisp photography of the Northern Lights, come up into the pass.

Can I go Gold Panning in Hatcher Pass?

Nope, don’t do it. You may want to channel your inner prospector and try your luck at striking it rich, but unless you’re with a local Alaskan who has access to their family claim, you DO NOT want to go gold panning or digging. Who knows, you might just find something, but then you’ll be prosecuted and your trip will be ruined.

As you drive across Hatcher Pass you’ll see lots of “no trespassing” signs. There are lots of mining claims all through Hatcher Pass and you DON’T want to experience a bad interaction. The best way to explore the off-road areas of the Pass and its recreation areas is to use both maintained and common trails, paying attention to signs along the way. There are lots of good places to stop and enjoy the scenery and hiking, but be very mindful of private property and DO NOT go gold panning.

Planning Your Hatcher Pass Adventure

Keep in mind that some roads in Hatcher Pass close from October to June due to snow, including the namesake Hatcher Pass Road that connects Willow to Palmer. Always check road conditions before you head out. From the Palmer side you’ll be able to at least get to the ski area once it’s snow season.

Be Prepared. There aren’t many services in Hatcher Pass, so pack like you’re heading into the wilderness (because, well, you are). Bring plenty of water, snacks, and safety gear. The Hatcher Pass Lodge is really cute and is usually open for lunch and dinner for much of the year. It can get busy, but I love having lunch here with a beautiful view.

Also, to make sure you don’t permanently move into the wilderness of Hatcher Pass download offline maps for roads AND hiking trails. AllTrails has the ability to download hiking maps in the paid version of the app. I love it. If you don’t use AllTrails, you can usually navigate offline on common trails if you have an offline map through your standard phone navigation program.

While most of Hatcher Pass is free to access, Independence Mine State Historical Park and Archangel Valley charge a small parking fee which you can pay at a solar powered kiosk. Some trails might also require permits for camping or overnight stays, so do your homework and don’t just head off into Hatcher Pass thinking it’s an unmonitored area.