Lee and Karen Duquette,
The Two RV Gypsies: Full-Time RVers
enjoyed a scenic drive through
part of Hatcher Pass State Recreation Area
Hatcher Pass Road
Fishhook, Alaska 99645
July 27, 2009
If you ask Alaskans about a hidden escape right in south central Alaska, you will probably be told to go to Hatcher Pass (a.k.a. Fishook-Willow Road). It was a beautiful drive with rivers, wildflowers, mountain peaks, and gold rush history. Alaskans flock here when the sun shines. The road parallels Little Susitna River before climbing toward the alpine tundra. There were several pullouts along the road. Lee Duquette drove this in their toad, NOT their big RV. It is about a 90-minute drive from Anchorage.
Little Susitna River
Little Susitna River
Little Susitna River
Little Susitna River
Below: Note that these photos were taken on a RAINY DAY (light rain and a cloudy sky) - yet the scenery was still so beautiful - imagine how gorgeous this scenery would be on a sunny day.
sign about a chilling situation in July
sign about Hatcher Pass
sign about the power of the river
sign that we are standing on the Castle Mountain Fault
the road curves around a big rock
Little Susitna River
Little Susitna River
sign - this area open to recreational gold mining
Little Susitna River
Little Susitna River
wildflowers and mountains
beautiful scenery
Below: Lee Duquette took a turn off of Hatcher Pass onto Archangel Road just to see where it went. After several miles of a dirty bumpy road, Karen Duquette took a few photos and then they turned around and went back to Hatcher Pass because it seemed as though the road would continue forever since it was heading towards the mountains.
Archangel road
Archangel road
mountains and wildflowers
mountains and wildflowers
mountains and wildflowers
mountains and wildflowers
mountains and wildflowers
mountains and wildflowers
mountains and wildflowers
mountains and wildflowers
mountains and wildflowers
Below: Then the two RV Gypsies turned back onto Hatcher Pass Road.
road and mountains
road and mountains
Below: Knik Glacier could be seen in the far distance; the same glacier the two RV Gypsies took the ATV ride to on several difference occasions. It is amazing because it is really so darn many miles away and yet could be seen from Hatcher Pass.
the Knik Glacier
the Knik Glacier
Below: Looking straight down towards Knik River
looking straight down towards Knik River
looking straight down towards Knik River
looking straight down towards Knik River
looking straight down towards Knik River
looking straight down towards Knik River
go to the next page please continue on to the nearby Independence Mine State Historical Park, which is at the top of Hatcher Pass. In summer months, usually around July 4th, the road opens over the pass, so travelers with high-clearance vehicles can travel all the way through to Willow. The road is gravel for 22 miles and can be rough with ruts—especially after big rains.