After getting groceries, dumping and getting potable water in Palmer, we left the Glenn highway and took a side trip up the paved section of Hatcher Pass Road. The road is 49 miles long, of which the first 17 miles from the Glenn Highway are paved. So, we did not quite make the summit which is at 18.9 miles, but we had 2 beautiful nights at the Fishhook Trailhead camping area just below it.
Dottie’s view from the rock!
Sidetrip
Leaving Hatcher pass on the 3rd day we took a side trip out the Old Glenn Highway and then out Knik River Road. I’ve learned that Alaskans love two things. They love fishing and ATVing. Almost any campground is on a river or lake, in fact, the milepost even tells you what fish are there, and what bait to use; and, ATV’s abound in many places. I’m not a fan of the noise, so I tend to pick places that are quiet. But, this side trip was quite pretty just too noisy to stay in the area.
Knik Glacier…just another beautiful glacier on the side road! Geez what an amazing place this is! And, then on the way back, we see these guys!Never saw the Mother…..just a couple kids out for a walk.
Earthquakes
Something I’ve been meaning to share for a while. When you live on springs and shocks, you feel the van move when the earth moves. I felt a lot of this in California, but Alaska takes the cake! It is the earthquake capital of the world!
A sample of the most recent! Let’s just say I feel the van rocking a lot and it has nothing to do with my or Dottie’s movements!
Boondocking on the Glenn
We found a lovely little spot on iOverlander along the Matanuska River and spent 2 nights here. Totally by ourselves until a woman stopped in to eat her lunch. It turns out that she knows the owners of the land, and that the house that used to sit in the area was washed away. She works at the gas station down the road and likes to eat her lunch here.
On top of that cheery news, she tells me how brave I am to travel alone. She apparently was car-jacked at knifepoint in the recent past. Geez, I wasn’t worried until then! I can report we had no problems whatsoever.
The spotThe views in both directionsSee the Bee? They were all over the place.Amazing wildflowers are everywhere!Those are not some odd wildflower….that is the remains of a serious dog brushing!Dottie and I, both happy after the brushing and van cleaning!
6 thoughts on “Hatcher Pass, Earthquakes and Boondocking”
Hi Karen. Sorry for extended silence. Finally have some time to myself to catch up. Wowza! The sites you are seeing is simply amazing. I am happy to hear you are meeting some lovely (and helpful) people Ali g the way too! I am also glad in some instances you are taking more caution with Clarice and yourself. I have to say that you look amazing! Miss you and loved catching up on your adventures. Be safe my dear friend 😘
Wow! I had no idea that Alaska had so many earthquakes. Also didn’t know that there were so many glaciers. Love your pictures! Glad you’re safe and having fun.
Hi Karen. Sorry for extended silence. Finally have some time to myself to catch up. Wowza! The sites you are seeing is simply amazing. I am happy to hear you are meeting some lovely (and helpful) people Ali g the way too! I am also glad in some instances you are taking more caution with Clarice and yourself. I have to say that you look amazing! Miss you and loved catching up on your adventures. Be safe my dear friend 😘
Thanks, Deb! Retirement agrees with me! As does a long road trip. LOL….
Will do my best to take care. Cheers and Love!
Wow! I had no idea that Alaska had so many earthquakes. Also didn’t know that there were so many glaciers. Love your pictures! Glad you’re safe and having fun.
Thanks, Ellen! All is going very well! Having a blast!
I love the pictures of the young moose! Wow that’s a lot of earthquakes In Alaska- yikes! Again, the mountains are so pretty 😀
Thanks, Sue! I thought they were neat, too! Like a 15 year old boy growing into his body. 🙂