Independence Mine and Hatcher Pass

In 1906, Robert Hatcher found gold in these hills north of Palmer.  The Independence Mine became the second largest hard rock gold mine in US history.  In 1941, the mine employed over 200 men, had nearly a dozen miles of tunnels, and produced 34,416 ounces of gold.  By 1951, the mines were abandoned.

All that remains of Independence Mine are a few old buildings, rusting ore cars and tracks, and old equipment, which David relishes.  So David, Rox, and I hiked through the area, imagining what it must have been like to have had to move and pound so much rock for slivers of gold.

We spent the night in a lot area near a trail head.  Several spots were designated for camping but were little more than parking spots.  While we walked part way up the trail, several RVs arrived and set up next to Ozzie.  Unfortunately, they ran their generators long past our bedtime, making for a rather unrestful night.

The following morning we planned to take a four-wheel drive trail up Hatcher Pass.  Several had warned us that we should not tow the camper, so we planned to drop it at a nearby trailhead. Unfortunately, this meant that we would have to come back and take the long way to Denali.

Just as we were unhooking it, however, a volunteer park ranger told us that we would have no problem at all with our rig.  He was right.  Hatcher Pass was a wonderful excursion through rugged mountain terrain and lush boreal forests.

Us at Hatcher Pass, elevation 3,886 feet.

Palmer on Dwellable