Not a town and occasionally referred to as Gold Rush Country, Hatcher Pass is actually an alpine paradise that at 3,886 feet is filled with stunning views of the Talkeetna Mountains, gold mine artifacts and even some unique lodging possibilities but few other services. Gold was the first treasure people found here; today it's foot trails, abandoned mines and outstanding skiing in the winter that outshine the precious metal. Most of all it’s panoramas as the area is one of the most photographed in the Mat-Su Valley. The pass itself is 22 miles out of Palmer from the Glenn Highway but can also be reached from the George Parks Highway via Wasilla and Willow.
The main attraction of Hatcher Pass is 272-acre Independence Mine State Historical Park; a huge, abandoned gold mine sprawled out in an alpine valley. Within the beautiful bowl-shaped valley of the park are the remains of 16 buildings that were built in the 1930s by the Alaska-Pacific Mining Company, one of the leading hard rock gold mines in Alaska in its day. Abandoned in 1955 and now a state park, the mine and the company town that was built around it make for a fascinating day. Today you can explore the structures, hike several trails and take in the stunning views at Hatcher Pass.
The pass is also a popular destination for parasailing, on most calm evenings, you can sit on a ridge and watch the daredevils strap themselves to the colorful sails and glide with the wind. Summit Lake State Recreation Site is also located in the area not far from Independence Mine. Summit Lake is a small cirque lake, or tarn, reaching a depth of 20 feet. The site does not have camping, but provides the perfect spot for a picnic in a spectacular setting.
Once the snow arrives, winter sports enthusiasts flock to designated areas in Hatcher Pass to telemark and cross-country ski as well as snowboard. Snowmobiling is allowed in and is very popular west of the Pass but travelers are encouraged to check current regulations, as the area is only open if conditions allow. The Mat-Su Borough also maintains an excellent sledding hill near Independence Mine State Historical Park that is free for the public.