Tuesday August 3, Hatcher Pass Govt Campground, Palmer, AK

175 Miles

Finally got to see Mt McKinley today….the highest mountain in North America. More often than not she is hidden by clouds, and when we were in Denali National Park it was raining so had no show of seeing her. But this morning was really clear and as we drove north up the highway it just looked amazing. Sadly there were no places to pull off for photos so we drove down a side road, but by the time we got a good spot, some cloud was already hiding part of her. But so thrilled to have seen the mountain.

We stopped at a most intriguing roadside store at Trappers Creek called Wal-Mike (not Walmart!).  Have never seen such an eclectic mix of odds and ends, from old number plates to stuffed bears heads and Sarah Palin calendars.

Returned back to Talkeetna, only to find the train had arrived as well as three tour buses and the little town was wall to wall tourists. So we stopped at the Roadhouse and bought one of their famous Cinamon Buns and headed back out again. What a shame.

We had been told about the Hatcher Pass Road, that goes up and over a range and back down into Palmer, spectacular scenery but 20 miles that is unsealed. We decided to drive it and it was a really great trip. The road followed Willow Creek that Ian had fished on last night right up to its source at the Summit Lake, and opened out into open alpine meadows. 

Just over the other summit is the Old Indpendence Mine, which is being restored and is now run by the Parks Department. Had a bit of a look around but the rain that was threatening arrived,  so packed it in. Stopped for the night at a little camp beside the Suistina River.

And we are back to square one….the rain leaked through again, even after all the sealing we had done yesterday. So disappointing.

Tomorrow it will be into Palmer and see if we can find a panel shop to have a look. It really has us baffled.