Hatcher Pass

In the Talkeetna Mountains, Hatcher Pass is a road that runs through the mountains between the cities of Willow and Palmer.


The first 10 miles are paved and then turn to dirt and gravel, which are in good condition. The road remains unpaved until you reach the Independence Mine State Park. 

I entered from Willow and, unfortunately, the road is closed past Summit Lake until July 4th.  When I head back north through Palmer I'm going to do the "other" end of the pass.  There is apparently lots to see .... my "end" was the scenic part  (I got 30 miles) ....

  
Spring is finally here (mostly👍) and is very pretty ... lots of green with wildflowers along the highway.

I asked about the rain every day ....apparently the area I'm in, the Mat Su Valley, gets rain every day, June being the "dry" month.  In August it pours each day, all day.  The Valley is known for towering mountains, huge glacier valleys, fish-filled rivers and lakes, abundant Alaska wildlife, glorious hiking country, scenic camping and quaint frontier communities ... and all that rain is how it gets all that "green."

I also asked about the mosquitoes .... maybe because they have to bite through all that animal hide and fur, but the mosquitoes here hurt.  Their bite leaves a large red, swollen mound that itches, burns and hurts for days.  I'm going on a week and my first bite is just as miserable as the day I got it....and I have tons more.  The locals were telling me how vicious the bites can be ....  I drove the 100 miles round trip to the nearest Fred Meyer for more mosquito supplies .... a hand-held bug zapper, candles (which I really don't like to light in my coach!), bracelets and more spray.  I use the soap, take vitamin B, wear nothing scented except my Bounce sheet ....  I noticed even the locals wear the netting when outside and was told they do it around their beds as well.  

Tomorrow I head closer to Anchorage - Eagle River, about 10 miles north.  There is lots to see and do in Anchorage but, unfortunately, it was also the hardest and most expensive place on my trip to find a place to stay.  I have 4 days at the state campground (the limit) and a couple days I'm hoping to stay in Cabela's parking lot .... as I won't be coming back, I want to see as much as I can while I'm here, so I may spend a few days at an independent campground (if they have room) and pay the price.   Anchorage will also be my "supply stop."  As the largest city in Alaska, I have appointments with a chiropractor, for a facial, a massage, a haircut, and a visit to Costco.  I also need to make a stop at the Jeep dealer and the dentist.

More fun to follow!  I'll keep you posted ....(again, I won't have internet as I'll be boondocking for the next several weeks, so when I post it may be a little long .. to catch you up on all the happenings) .