Welcome to Camping Hiking For More Information Area History Hatcher Pass East Management Area has two Hatcher Pass has plenty to offer those making camping areas located along Hatcher Pass Road: their way by foot. The scenic walk around State Parks Government Peak Campground (mile 11), and Gold Summit Lake is short and easy. Gold Mint Trail Hatcher Pass Management Area, located in the Mat-Su/Copper Basin Area Office Mint Trailhead (mile 14). Well water is available at is moderate and popular, but those looking for southwestern , owes its 7278 E. Bogard Road Welcome both campgrounds. Backcountry campers must set a challenge can hike the Reed Lakes Trail. rugged, vertical landscape to tectonic collisions Wasilla, AK 99654 occurring along the Castle Mountain Fault. The up camp at least 0.5 mile from any road or facility. Long ago, miners wandered into the Talkeetna See the map inside this brochure for fault—crossing under the road a few miles south of (907)745-3975 Mountains searching for gold, but what they descriptions of some popular trails. You can Hatcher Pass—forced ancient slabs of rock skyward, atcher ass www.alaskastateparks.org H P found was even more precious. With over find more detailed information at with some containing veins of gold that would East Management Area 300,000 mountainous acres, historic sites, and www.alaskastatetrails.org. attract fortune seekers millions of years later. diverse wildlife, Hatcher Pass is one of Alaska’s favorite backcountry getaways. Robert Lee Hatcher discovered lode gold near Huts the summit of Skyscraper Mountain in September Most of the Hatcher Pass East Management 1906. After the discovery, the area sprang to Three huts, the Snowbird, Bomber, and Mint, Area is managed by Alaska State Parks. life with industry and multiple mining interests. are managed by the Mountaineering Club However, portions are cooperatively managed Business was booming, but when the United States of Alaska. They are available on with the Division of Mining Land and Water entered World War II, gold production was deemed a first come, first served basis. and the Mat-Su Borough. nonessential and the mines fell silent. A fourth, the Lane hut, is Hiking, biking, berry picking, paragliding, not actively managed. After the mines closed, local residents were quick and horseback riding will thrill you in the See map inside for locations. to realize the value of the access roads leading summer. Skiing (cross-country and downhill), deep into the mountains. The area surrounding snowboarding, sledding, snowshoeing, and Hatcher Pass became known for its natural snowmachining will chill you in the winter. beauty and recreational opportunities. In 1974, Beautiful alpine scenery can be appreciated Independence Mine was added to the National any time of the year. Register of Historic Places and later to the Hatcher Pass Management Area. Miners may have grabbed most of the gold, Photo courtesy of Nicole Acevedo but they left the best parts behind. So, lace up your boots, and top off the rig, because the memories will be priceless. Touring Visitors less inclined to blisters and trail mix can still take in the history and scenery along Hatcher Pass Road. Typically open between July and September, depending on snow depth, the road peaks at 3,886 feet and is one of the highest scenic drives in Alaska. The Palmer- Fishhook Road is paved until mile 17.5, but the next 15 miles is a rough, narrow, and steep gravel road and is not recommended for RVs, trailers and large vehicles. The drive can be

Independence Mine slow, but the views are worth it. The road ends Photo courtesy of Dan Kehlenbach at mile 71.2 on the Parks Highway near Willow.

Back country ridge walk in Hatcher Pass EMA Ridge above Summit Lake Bluff near Summit Lake Photo courtesy of Nicole Acevedo Photo courtesy of Matthew Johnson Photo courtesy of Nicole Acevedo

Hatcher Pass East Management Area Background photo courtesy of Nicole Acevedo Alaska State Parks

Wildlife Highlights Hatcher Pass’s alpine landscapes may seem devoid of wildlife because most alpine inhabitants are camouflage experts. However, if you stand still, listen, and watch carefully, you may detect movement. Independence Mine State Historical Park Moose, caribou, sheep, black and brown bears, wolf, wolverine, Bald Eagle Photo courtesy At Independence Mine State Historical Park (SHP), coyote, beaver, fox, marten, mink, hare, Arctic ground squirrels, of Bill Evans Winter Wonderland you can learn what it was like to live and work collared pikas, hoary marmots, and lynx can all be found in the area. As the first miners explored these mountains, they in one of Alaska’s largest gold mining camps. Look up and you may see a bird of prey soaring above you, scanning took up skiing as a way to travel the terrain and pass Interpretive displays lead visitors through the the area for its next meal. Ptarmigan, spruce grouse, songbirds, and small the time. Historic photos show miners skiing when Snowmachiner historic mine buildings and equipment. Guided Photo courtesy of Mike Morris mammals all live here and are on their menu. Some birds, such as Lapland Independence Mine was in operation. In the 1960s tours may be offered during summer. longspurs, whimbrels, and long-tailed jaegers, occasionally shortcut their normal and 1970s, Anchorage residents would flock to the Although the mine shut its doors in 1951, there’s migration and nest in this area. Keep your binoculars and camera close! old Fishhook Inn to use the rope tow. Today, the still a bit of gold left. Prospectors are allowed Hatcher Pass area is one of the best cross-country Little Susitna to recreationally pan for gold within the park— skiing destinations in the state. Independence Mine provided it’s with shovels only. SHP and Archangel Road are regularly groomed and popular with skiers. Ample slopes attract Snowmachining Scientists and park employees evaluating snow Hoary Marmot snowboarders and downhill skiers as well. pack for avalanche safety Summit Lake State Recreation Site Photo courtesy of Gina Smith More into horsepower than ski wax? Hatcher Pass is one of the premier snowmachining areas in Southcentral Summit Lake State Recreation Site (SRS) is located Alaska. You can ride on a wide variety of terrain, ranging Avalanches at mile 19.3 along Hatcher Pass Road. This small from groomed trails to backcountry valleys. Be sure to Avalanches can occur throughout the Hatcher Pass cirque lake, or alpine tarn, is a remnant of a glacier abide by park rules, and know the hazards of the routes Northern Harrier Left—1st Lieutenant Edith Spitzer, Army Porcupine area. Steep, snow-covered slopes, gullies, and areas that once sat amid these peaks. A trail leading Photo courtesy of Christopher Taylor Nurse, skiing at Independence Mine in you’re traveling. Photo courtesy of Bill Evans around the lake allows for easy exploration, and a 1943. Notice Boomtown in below steep ridges are particularly susceptible. Most the background. nearby bluff offers exemplary views and is a popular Photo courtesy of ALSAP/Sanferd Spitzer. The entire length of Archangel avalanches happen after heavy or sustained snowfalls and Road, and Summit Lake SRS to windstorms, but they can happen anytime snow is on the launch site for paragliders. Below—Skiing Hatcher Pass Photo courtesy of Dan Joling and the the Gold Mint parking lot, are slopes. Take a class to learn the warning signs, techniques, Lynx Mat-Su Borough Photo courtesy of Gina Smith open to snowmachining. and gear needed to protect yourself. Check local avalanche centers for updates.

Brown Bear Photo courtesy of Rolland Martin

Collared Pika Photo courtesy of Ike Waits www.denaliguidebook.com

Alpenglow on mountains at Hatcher Pass Photo of Independence Mine and Summit Lake Ground Squirrel Photo courtesy of Andre Kaeppele courtesy of Steve Neel Photo courtesy of Steve Neel Bomber Hut Gold Cord Independence Lake Trail Mine Area 1. Manager’s House E a (Visitor Center) s t Snowbird Hut F 2. Bunkhouse No. 2 o r

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3. Framing Shop F Mint Hut Hut at Mint Glacier i s Photo courtesy of Cecil Sanders h 4. Bunkhouse No. 1 h o l o i k 5. Apartment House a r T C k 6. Engineering/ c r o e

0.23 R e k rd Trail Descriptions Commissary a 7. Bunkhouse/ H For more information on trails in Hatcher Pass Warehouse 0.09 0.06 East Management Area, visit

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i 10 l 3 l L 4 Gold Mint Trail oo 1 1 p T r 0.08 a 0.08 il p Access: Mile 14 on the Palmer-Fishhook Road o 7 o L 11 9 Travel Means: Foot, bike, ski e

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5 n 9. Plumbing, Sheet Metal, 0.35 I Following the west bank of the Little Susitna and Electrical Shops 0.05 River to its source in the Mint Glacier Valley, the 10. Assay Office Gold Mint Trail is relatively easy, but steepens into a glacier-rimmed valley toward the end. 11. Mill Complex 8 12. Mine Shops Reed Lakes Trail 2 Access: Archangel Road Travel Means: Foot, bike Distance: 9 miles round trip 1 Elevation Gain: 1,600 feet 3 This trail follows Reed Creek and passes turquoise lakes, waterfalls, and the abandoned Snowbird Mine ending at Upper Reed Lake. The first 1.5 miles are easy and follow an old road to an abandoned cabin. The rest of the trail is challenging and includes a boulder field marked by cairns. Legend Area Boundary Snowmachine trail Gold Cord Lake Trail 3

East/West Boundary* Snowmachine route Access: Independence Mine Area Parking Travel Means: Foot Road Biking Distance: 1.7 miles round trip Elevation Gain: About 800 feet Parking Cross-country skiing Gold Cord Lake Trail is an excellent choice for Trailhead Downhill skiing 4 families with children or groups with different fitness levels. The final section gains moderate Hiking trail Dog mushing elevation to the lake.

Hiking trail (inset) Hut (privately managed) April Bowl Trail 4 Accessible (paved) Camping Access: Mile 19 of the Hatcher Pass Road Interpretive Trail Picnicking Travel Means: Foot Distance: 2.2 miles round trip Restrooms Viewing Elevation Gain: About 800 feet Information Water This trail begins with switchbacks, taking you through a small valley with a cirque lake and *The E/W Boundary may change in the near future several small ponds. It soon turns into a ridge trail and is extremely narrow and rough, ending at Hatch Peak.

Backcountry Safety • ALWAYS let someone know where you’re going. • Hatcher Pass is an AVALANCHE HAZARD AREA. Be sure to take your beacons, shovels, and probes and know how to use them.

• Hypothermia is deadly. Weather conditions can change Falls at Reed Lakes unexpectedly, leaving the unprepared in danger. • Learn the hazards of the terrain. Never travel alone, and always carry a pack with safety gear and emergency provisions. You’ll never regret being too prepared. Miner’s cabin

Blueberry picking Photo courtesy of Danielle Wagar

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Miles Small alpine tarn above Summit Lake along the April Bowl Trail Mint Glacier Kilometers Photo courtesy of Nicole Acevedo Photo courtesy of Gordon Sanders 0 1 2 3 Reed Lakes Photo courtesy of Daniel Thompson