Summit Lake State Recreation Area is a 360-acre park along Hatcher Pass Road near Independence Mine State Historic Park. The area includes beautiful Summit Lake and 3,886-feet-high Hatcher Pass Summit. Summit Lake is a cirque lake, carved by a long-gone alpine glacier. There is a trail that runs around the lake, through magnificent alpine wilderness, leading to a bluff with breathtaking view of the Susitna Valley, the Willow Creek Drainage, and the western arm of the Alaska Range. In the summer, the area attracts a large number of hikers and paragliders. Berry-picking is another popular activity, as well as nature photography. In the winter, Summit Lake is heaven for backcountry skiers, snowboarders and snowshoers.

Summit Lake State Recreation Area, Willow, AK 99654

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