Hatchers Pass Hike to Summit Lake

Summit Lake state recreation area is at about mile 19 of the Hatchers Pass road. If coming up from the Palmer side you turn off the pavement just before reaching the Independence mine recreation area.

There is a trail around Summit Lake, and along the bluff above, and west, of the lake. The views from the bluff viewpoint are outstanding, including the Willow Creek Drainage, the Susitna Valley, and the western arc of the Alaska Range.

Summit Lake is a small cirque lake, or tarn, reaching a depth of 20 feet. This cirque was the beginning of a long-gone, alpine glacier. The surrounding terrain is all glacially carved.