Hatcher Pass
Hatcher Pass
5
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Several hiking trails are located in this area.
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5.0
196 reviews
Excellent
169
Very good
21
Average
5
Poor
1
Terrible
0
Travel_Addict_Cyprus
Michigan1,278 contributions
Aug 2023 • Couples
Hatcher Pass is worth a visit! Beautiful green hills, trails, a lake.. We visited on a cloudy/rainy day so i'm sure it's even more beautiful on a clear day. Because it was raining we couldn't hike as much as we were planning, but we still enjoyed our visit. Recommended!
(There are warnings everywhere that this is a gravel road and some rental companies won't allow you to drive their vehicle on it. We had a Highlander, and this road was not restricted on our contract, but I also wanted to say the road is not bad. Sure, it's not paved, but it's not rough).
(There are warnings everywhere that this is a gravel road and some rental companies won't allow you to drive their vehicle on it. We had a Highlander, and this road was not restricted on our contract, but I also wanted to say the road is not bad. Sure, it's not paved, but it's not rough).
Written September 13, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nettie2010
Saint Charles, MO325 contributions
Jul 2022 • Couples
Amazing drive that isn’t really gravel but hard packed dirt so an easy drive, but you can only go about 25-35mph because of the twists and turns and traffic. There are some trails but since it was pretty overcast, we decided to just spend some time at Summit Lakes View, walking out on the snowfield, watching a snowboarder and paraflyers. The river runs alongside the entire road and the bright green hillsides and wildflowers are really beautiful. Definitely drive through here even if you’re short on time to stop!
Written August 5, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
dragonflytw65
Palm Harbor, FL2,790 contributions
Aug 2022
I always love a good pass and this one will forever be one of the most memorable. It was a chilly, rainy day and the views were still stunning. We stopped at every pull-off opportunity to enjoy the scene. Fall colors were beginning to dot the hillsides and the contrasting colors were beautiful!
Written September 12, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Steve S
San Antonio, TX269 contributions
Jul 2024 • Couples
Defintely the most Alaskan thing we did during our week in the Land of the Midnight Sun.
Suggested by a patron at the restaurant where we ate lunch.
We did the entire loop from Wasilla to the summit & then on to Willow then return to Wasilla.
Stunning scenery. Decent road all the way - even the gravel parts.
Suggested by a patron at the restaurant where we ate lunch.
We did the entire loop from Wasilla to the summit & then on to Willow then return to Wasilla.
Stunning scenery. Decent road all the way - even the gravel parts.
Written July 25, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Erica D
10 contributions
Aug 2022 • Family
Reed Lake is the best hike we have ever done. 9 miles round trip, moderate to strenuous. Not only is the destination unbelievable… the journey to get there is SO much fun. You could hike this 10 times and never do it the same way twice. Lots or scrambling and bouldering that my 11 and 13 year old could not get enough of! Please make sure you add this to your intinerary.
Written August 1, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KathyVaillan
Agawam, MA145 contributions
Sep 2020 • Couples
My husband & I went here today. It was sunny and cool. Fall is in the air. However, like any place, clouds blew in. Still nice, because we dressed accordingly. As you can see, winter is in the air and land, too.
Written September 20, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ferg42995
Texas401 contributions
Jun 2020
What a beautiful drive and view! We drove as far as Independence Mine. The views are spectacular along the way. Be sure and stop at the Little Susitna River Overlook too. We enjoyed a picnic there. There are many trails you can take in Hatcher Pass if you are a hiker. If you aren't you will still enjoy driving up and stopping at the various viewpoints up and down. There are bathrooms available near the lower parking lot about a mile before Independence Mine.
Written June 28, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ravenito
Charlotte, NC547 contributions
Jul 2024 • Family
This was suggested to us by two different people while we were in Palmer for the day so we adjusted our plan a bit to fit this in and I'm really happy we did. We drove from Palmer up to the summit and then continued down all the way to Wasilla. The views are so gorgeous, everywhere you look is beautiful on this drive. And for the most part it's just a gravel road (well-maintained and not sketchy at all) going through the wilderness. We spotted a mine or campsite here and there but it really was just beautiful landscape most of the way. Cell service is mostly non-existent but you can't really get lost since it's just the one road. I did wish we had seen more wildlife but it was really neat to see a porcupine scurrying across the road in front of us so I'll take it. Definitely worth it if you have time to fit it in.
Written August 26, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Clsmith10s
17 contributions
Sep 2023 • Family
The views here were amazing! A piece of history that is slowly deteriorating but a great place to take family for the views and a quick history lesson! We did not take any guided tour but ventured around ourselves.
Written September 14, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
pokerpro05
Las Vegas, NV47 contributions
Jul 2018 • Family
You've probably read websites and reviews claiming that the 22-mile gravel portion of Willow-Fishhook road is treacherous, dangerous, and scary.
I was debating whether I should attempt to brave it. What if my rental car got stuck or damaged? What if my vehicle slipped off the road, causing injury or death to my family?
Even my own father, who is typically adventurous with these kind of things, strongly urged me to avoid doing this.
I searched and searched for current road conditions, but came up with nothing.
I ended up throwing caution to the wind, and did the drive. What a great decision!
It's described as a gravel road. That's mostly a misnomer. There's relatively little gravel. It's mainly a hard dirt road. At some points, you will be able to drive as fast as 40mph without feeling uncomfortable (though I recommend going slower, to take in the scenery, and to watch for animals or other vehicles).
Unlike other dirt roads, this one was not plagued with all that many potholes, ridges, or bumps. It was actually one of the better non-paved roads I've driven.
I rented an SUV primarily for the purpose of driving this road, but it's easy enough (at least in summer 2018) to drive with any passenger car -- at least provided it's not raining enough to make it muddy.
I found this direction to be far more interesting than going back down to the highway and heading west through Wasilla.
I would suggest taking this road if driving from Anchorage to Denali. Just drive to Hatcher Pass, take Willow-Fishhook road at the top, and head north once you get to Willow!
One warning about the fairly interesting former mine at the top: The buildings are locked at 5pm, and the entire parking lot is gated and closed off at 6pm. This took us by surprise, and we had to rush through it. You can still get in there after 6pm if you're willing to park outside the gate and walk up (probably 0.5 miles uphill).
I was debating whether I should attempt to brave it. What if my rental car got stuck or damaged? What if my vehicle slipped off the road, causing injury or death to my family?
Even my own father, who is typically adventurous with these kind of things, strongly urged me to avoid doing this.
I searched and searched for current road conditions, but came up with nothing.
I ended up throwing caution to the wind, and did the drive. What a great decision!
It's described as a gravel road. That's mostly a misnomer. There's relatively little gravel. It's mainly a hard dirt road. At some points, you will be able to drive as fast as 40mph without feeling uncomfortable (though I recommend going slower, to take in the scenery, and to watch for animals or other vehicles).
Unlike other dirt roads, this one was not plagued with all that many potholes, ridges, or bumps. It was actually one of the better non-paved roads I've driven.
I rented an SUV primarily for the purpose of driving this road, but it's easy enough (at least in summer 2018) to drive with any passenger car -- at least provided it's not raining enough to make it muddy.
I found this direction to be far more interesting than going back down to the highway and heading west through Wasilla.
I would suggest taking this road if driving from Anchorage to Denali. Just drive to Hatcher Pass, take Willow-Fishhook road at the top, and head north once you get to Willow!
One warning about the fairly interesting former mine at the top: The buildings are locked at 5pm, and the entire parking lot is gated and closed off at 6pm. This took us by surprise, and we had to rush through it. You can still get in there after 6pm if you're willing to park outside the gate and walk up (probably 0.5 miles uphill).
Written July 29, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Is the road to April Bowl trail open in mid-June and how bad is the gravel road to the trailhead?
Written April 9, 2021
Hello guys,
I will be driving from Seward to Talkeetna at Sep 29th and would like to pas through Hatcher Pass. Do you guys think the roads will be opened that time of the year? In what conditions? Is it driveable? What about snow? Thanks!
Written July 14, 2017
We are going to be there in June with a rental car. How bad is the gravel part of the road and how long is the gravel part. Since it's gravel Google Maps doesn't have it -Thanks A
Written May 4, 2015
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