The Hatcher Pass area of the Talkeetna Mountains is one of great natural splendor. There are mountains, rivers, lakes and lush green hillsides. To create a scenic drive loop of about 80 miles from the Palmer/ Wasilla area, head up either the Palmer-Fishhook Road or the Wasilla Fishhook Road and continue straight onto Fishhook-Willow Road (aka Hatcher Pass Road). Enroute you will pass several State Recreation Areas. At the Independence Mine State Historical Park, turn left to continue on the Fishhook-Willow/Hatcher Pass Road. From this turn until the town of Willow, you will be on a gravel road. The gravel road section has some steep shoulder drop-offs, washboard sections and is quite narrow and twisty in places. Due to snow, the gravel section is not maintained through winter and may not open in the spring until well into June. When you reach the Parks Highway in Willow, turn left (south) to finish the loop back to the Palmer/Wasilla area.
We completed this scenic loop drive including Hatcher Pass Road in our Jeep
Another view of the Talkeetna Mountains along this scenic drive
Hatcher Pass is also the location of our hike’s trailhead
Trailhead sign
Hatcher Pass is home to the April Bowl Hiking Trailhead. April Bowl has a lovely turquoise tarn. We hiked this trail on a July Sunday and it was fairly busy. Hiking traffic thinned out as we continued further up the trail. The trail starts up switchbacks until just short of a dome’s crest, which the trail goes around before continuing uphill in steeper section. The trail surface has gravel throughout and appropriate footwear is recommended. Also, care in foot placement should be used on the steep sections. Fortunately there were no significant drop-offs, so while a slip on gravel may cause a minor injury, you would not be careening off of the mountainside. We were comfortable on the steeper section, but saw numerous hikers turn back or wait for the rest of their party to complete it.
An example of the early trail switchbacks
Looking back down at the trail
Mike at the top of the climb (raised arms with hiking poles)
The trail is listed as 2 miles round trip and has almost 1000 feet elevation gain as it heads up the ridge to Hatch Peak at an elevation of 4,811 ft above sea level. From the ridge, panoramic views of the Talkeetna Mountains and more distant views of the Chugach Mountains and the Alaska Range can be viewed. This hike is entirely alpine, i.e. occurring above tree line. There were wildflowers present and some ground squirrels. We also saw several people hike up and then paraglide off of the peak.
View of the Hatcher Pass area including the April Bowl tarns
Panoramic views of the Talkeetna Mountains reward you at the top
Looking south with Talkeetna Mountains (close) and Chugach Mountains (in the distance)
