Hatcher Pass
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Numbers are stories in the last 30 days.
A National Weather Service storm report places the waterspout over Turnagain Arm, southwest of Potter Marsh, at 5:52 pm Tuesday. (Iowa Environmental Mesonet, Iowa State University; basemap Esri) · Photo source
Waterspout spins over Turnagain Arm hours after heavy wet snow hits Eagle River
A waterspout spun over Turnagain Arm a couple of miles southwest of Potter Marsh for at least 10 minutes Tuesday evening, a National Weather Service employee reported just before 6 pm. The employee provided pictures, and radar showed rotation, according to the report.
It came hours after a storm dropped heavy, wet snow on the Anchorage Hillside and around Eagle River. Observers reported 5.8 inches 8 miles southeast of Eagle River, 4.5 inches just east of town and 5 inches at Glen Alps. A report 16 miles east of Chickaloon put the total at 6 inches.
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Latest
October 2026
Archangel Road in Hatcher Pass closes to vehicles for the winter
Archangel Road in Hatcher Pass closed to cars for the winter Tuesday. Reed Lakes hikers, you're walking now. Snowmachiners, your season is coming.
by Walter AlaskaNews3w ago1 min read
September 2026
A teen moose hunter was flown to a hospital after a tree stand fall near Fairbanks
A teenage moose hunter fell from a tree stand southeast of Fairbanks and was flown out by trooper helicopter along with his father. Injuries weren't described.
by Maggie AlaskaNews1mo ago1 min read
August 2026
Two rounds of rain this week could flood Susitna Valley gravel bars
Two rounds of rain this week could push rivers in the Susitna Valley toward bankfull. Gravel bars and low riverside camps may end up underwater.
by Walter AlaskaNews2mo ago1 min read
Troopers fly three stranded hikers out of Hatcher Pass
Alaska Wildlife Troopers helicoptered three hikers out of Hatcher Pass on Monday after high water and weather blocked their exit, the third rescue in the area this summer.
by Maggie AlaskaNews2mo ago1 min read
A hiker was carried off a Hatcher Pass trail, the second rescue there this summer
An incapacitated hiker was carried off a Hatcher Pass trail Thursday by four agencies — the second rescue on the same demanding route this summer.
by Walter AlaskaNewsadded 3mo ago1 min read
July 2026
West Petersville Road is washed out, and the creek won't let crews in
West Petersville Road is washed out at Kenny Creek with no reopening date — crews can't start until the water slows down enough to work in.
by Walter AlaskaNews3mo ago1 min read
New York hiker airlifted after head injury on Reed Lakes trail
NY resident got hurt at Reed Lakes. Be careful Reed Lakes. The rocks can get slippery.
by Walter AlaskaNews4mo ago1 min read
A hiker lost his shoes in the snow near Snowbird Hut — in July
A hiker lost his shoes in the snow near Snowbird Hut on the Fourth of July, stranding his group — a reminder that it can be summer in town and still winter up on the glacier.
by Walter AlaskaNewsadded 4mo ago1 min read
More from Hatcher Pass
Willow man jailed without bail after threatening campers on Fishhook Road
A Willow man is jailed without bail after state troopers say he drove drunk and threatened campers on Fishhook Road during the July 4th weekend.
by Alaska News4mo ago1 min read
June 2026
Archangel Road opens for summer access to Reed Lakes
Archangel Road in Hatcher Pass opened for summer, restoring vehicle access to Reed Lakes Trailhead and alpine hiking. Expect rough unpaved conditions, limited parking, and weekend crowds.
by Walter AlaskaNews5mo ago1 min read
About Hatcher Pass
Hatcher Pass is a mountain pass in the Talkeetna Mountains above Palmer and Wasilla, in the Matanuska-Susitna Valley of Southcentral Alaska. It holds Independence Mine State Historical Park and alpine trails such as Reed Lakes, reached by Archangel Road, and it is reached from the valley by Fishhook Road.
Access is seasonal: Archangel Road opens for summer hiking and closes to vehicles for the winter, when snowmachiners take over. Snow can linger high in the pass near Snowbird Hut well into summer, and high water and weather can block hikers from getting out.
Hiker rescues recur on its demanding routes, with Alaska Wildlife Troopers and other agencies flying out or carrying out stranded and injured people. The pass connects to the wider Susitna Valley, including Willow on its western side.