Hatcher Pass Road out of Willow

I still had not driven Hatcher Pass Road from the Willow west end...

The occurring times I was in the Susitna Valley always wanting to take the side trip, the road was either washed out and closed, was time constraint, or too early in the season and still closed during May (and the majority of June in which not too often the road could open a little earlier than the 4th of July weekend) as alaskan-rver covered every specific detail upon that posted message.

The east side entrance that coincides with Palmer Fishhook Road starts the unpaved portion at mile 17 and is an immediate 12 percent grade going westbound towards the summit at mile 19 as it levels off a bit but is still a wicked hill for some rigs, as the not recommended for RV's and large vehicles and trailers sign is clearly posted at the intersection however I seen a couple class C RV's on the top of the summit.....What makes this road on the edge is there are no guard rails in place as noted compared to the paved portion of Hatcher Pass-Palmer Fishhook Road.

Here are a few pics from the area taken in September 2006 :

Mile 17 Hatcher Pass Road (eastbound) on the final stretch to the intersection with Palmer Fishhook Road within the 12 percent grade :


Mile 18 Hatcher Pass Road (eastbound) :


Mile 18 Hatcher Pass Road (westbound) :


Mile 8 Hatcher Pass-Palmer Fishhook Road (northbound) with the fall colors that crosses Little Susitna Bridge (parking area access) :




As you approach mile 13 (northbound) the road starts to climb pretty good and before you know it the tree line already disappears...

Mile 15 Hatcher Pass-Palmer Fishhook Road overlooking the range :


Mile 16 Hatcher Pass-Palmer Fishhook Road :


Last set of pics is at Mile 19 Hatcher Pass Road which is the top of Hatcher Pass Summit (the third highest point in the Alaska road system officially at 3886 ft. as my instruments read higher than that) :




View overlooking Summit Lake :


This area is one of those places with stunning views from every direction as each mile you go you will see more different landscapes (that's why the extra 'few' pictures posted here).

Hatcher Pass has lots of hiking opportunities, also a parachuter's or paraglider's paradise, the history at Independence Mine, along with the wicked terrain and scenery bar none.

As noted, west of the Hatcher Pass Summit (downhill) there are a variety of hairpin turns which I actually seen from the higher view overlooking the summit...spent more hours than I thought I would in this area and did not proceed to go westbound because it was starting to get dark as I had no intention to drive the route to Willow that late in the day while not knowing the portion of the road at hand.

For those visiting while in the Palmer or Wasilla area, this is one of those must see places if you have the chance to.

"So I guess the chances of seeing one in the Summer is slim and done."


....yep. However, if one can stretch their summer trip into September(later September) the chances increase quite a bit.

sue.t wrote:
Northern lights are unpredictable. Might be there for 10 minutes, then gone. Then back hours later for a while, then gone. Might not be around for weeks, then back for a few nights.

Best viewed when it is very dark. Thus, the lights are not usually seen in summer months - there is too much daylight through the night. The lights might be there but it is too light out to see them. In winter, even a bright full moon can muss the viewing.

During the winter, many people stay up through the night waiting to see a glimpse of the lights.

November 2012 I took the dogs out for a bedtime pee and had to run back in to get my camera. An amazing display was underway, apparently prompted by a solar storm of some sort. In this shot it appears a massive butterfly is taking flight ...

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So I guess the chances of seeing one in the Summer is slim and done.

thanks

Northern lights are unpredictable. Might be there for 10 minutes, then gone. Then back hours later for a while, then gone. Might not be around for weeks, then back for a few nights.

Best viewed when it is very dark. Thus, the lights are not usually seen in summer months - there is too much daylight through the night. The lights might be there but it is too light out to see them. In winter, even a bright full moon can muss the viewing.

During the winter, many people stay up through the night waiting to see a glimpse of the lights.

November 2012 I took the dogs out for a bedtime pee and had to run back in to get my camera. An amazing display was underway, apparently prompted by a solar storm of some sort. In this shot it appears a massive butterfly is taking flight ...

sue.t wrote:
Thx. Yup, the Dalton didn't get done in 2010 when planned because our dog became sick. A few weeks later she died with her illness. Broke our hearts.

In Feb 2011 I drove about 50 miles up the Dalton and what I saw was very nice.

Also drove into Circle in February 2011, at night with amazing northern lights moving overhead. So bright they kept me awake! That was a good thing!

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Sue - is there a certain time of year for the Northern lights or do they happen when conditions are right?

thanks

stuart

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Thx. Yup, the Dalton didn't get done in 2010 when planned because our dog became sick. A few weeks later she died with her illness. Broke our hearts.

In Feb 2011 I drove about 50 miles up the Dalton and what I saw was very nice.

Also drove into Circle in February 2011, at night with amazing northern lights moving overhead. So bright they kept me awake! That was a good thing!

sue.t

Yup, that one is still on the bucket list. Thanx for the road report!

I noticed from a post several days ago that the Dalton Hwy is also on your bucket list. We have been twice and will be going back around the 1st. Taking the motorhome as far as Coldfoot, then the pickup the rest of the way. Will post a trip report.

We have been up to Hatcher Pass from Wasilla a couple of times. We are workamping out of Wasilla, and its fun to go up and watch the paragliders. Two weeks ago we finally drove the entire Hatcher Pass road going from Wasilla to Willow. It was on a weekend, and the road and Summit Lake area was extremely busy. But it was a fun drive with very good views. My only petty complaint is that the section that is graded was also wetted down, which turned the dirt to mud. That's as dirty as my pickup has been in a long, long time...even counting the watered-down dirt/gravel encountered on many highway construction projects.

Since we had not packed a lunch, we stopped at the Top Dog drive-in along the Parks Hwy on the way back into Wasilla, and I had probably the best chili dog I'd ever eaten! That alone made the day trip worthwhile!

Yup, that one is still on the bucket list. Thanx for the road report!

For anyone considering a similar excursion, the portion of the road over Hatcher's Pass (near Summit Lake) is not recommended for RVs or trailers--the road gets narrow, steep, and doesn't have guard rails. That portion of the pass is posted as not being recommended for large vehicles and trailers.

That said, it is possible to make it across the pass with an RV or trailer, but you'll be in trouble should you encounter another similarly-sized vehicle heading the opposite direction.

I agree that it is awesome scenery, though!

Finally, for anyone reading this post planning for future seasons, keep in mind that the road over the pass doesn't open until around July 4.