Hatcher Pass, Fishhook Road & Independence Mine State Park
Hatcher Pass - is one of the more scenic drives located close to Anchorage and the Valley.
From Anchorage, take the Glenn Highway through Eagle River and across the flats to the George Parks Highway. Head north to Hatcher Pass Road turn right and your on your way. Hatcher Pass Road will turn to gravel and then wind up and over the mountain coming out at Independence Mine State Park on Fishhook Road.
Hatcher Pass Road from Mile 17.5 to Mile 32.5 is a rough gravel road that
is narrow and steep. This 15 mile long stretch of the road is not maintained
in the winter. In the summer, the road is open to travel but expect slow
going. Driving large RV's or vehicles pulling trailers is possible but
not recommended.
Although Hatcher Pass is gravel road for much of the drive, your time spent traveling this scenic route that spans some 49 miles from Willow to Palmer is well worth the trip. This gravel portion of the road climbs up and over an incredible mountain pass through the Talkeetna Mountains, linking the Glenn Highway to the Parks Highway. Driving Hatcher Pass will take you through the Willow Creek Mining District to the site of the Independence Mine State Historical Park and other abandoned structures from the historic gold-mining days dating back to the early 1900s.
One of the first roads in the original Alaska Territory, Hatcher Pass
was the original route between the town site of Knik and the old Grubstake
Gulch placer fields then located on Willow Creek. Later on, the road was
extended to connect the town of Palmer with the Independence Mine. Today
this section is referred to as Fishhook-Willow Road.
In a nutshell; here are the reasons why we rate Hatcher Pass as our #6
Most Scenic Drive in Alaska.
The serene alpine scenery that surrounds this Alaska scenic drive is fantastic. Brilliant displays of wildflower, abundant blueberry picking and the ever-present possibility of spotting some of Alaska’s famous wildlife makes this one of our featured daylong drives from Anchorage. Now add in the historic presence of Independence Mine and the old mining structures along the river and this drive really has a WOW Factor that sets it above the rest.
Driving To Independence Mile State Park?
Be
sure to take your time on this absolutely picturesque drive through the
countryside and up the mountains between Palmer and Wasilla Alaska. See Independence Mine State Park
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