Mat-Su Valley

The Mat-Su Valley sits north of Anchorage in the south-central area of Alaska about 50 miles or so and is the fastest growing borough than any other area in the state.  It encompasses more than 24,000 square miles making it larger than the state of West Virginia.  Surrounded by the Talkeetna Mountains, the valley is nestled between the SusItna and Matanuska rivers and is north of the Knik Arm of the Cook Inlet.

The Valley’s roots lie rich in natural resources plus a mild coastal climate which has provided sustenance and shelter to inhabitants for thousands of years.  This area is replete with fish and game and fresh water due to the many fresh water natural lakes formed by glaciers thousands of years ago.  The heritage includes indigenous Athabaskan Den’nina people, gold miners and homesteaders.

A favorite place in the valley for visitors and residents is Hatchers Pass.  It is a magical place according to a volunteer at the Independence Mine State Historical Park which is located there as well.  It was named for Robert Lee Hatcher, a gold miner in the early 1900’s.  Hatchers Pass got its start as a gold-mining haven for adventurous spirits and Hatcher was the first to stake a claim in 1906.  As WWII took center stage in 1942, gold mining fell by the wayside and in 1951 Independence Mine was shut down for good.  The mine then transformed into a historical park in the mid-1970’s.  A fun and educational walk is offered and many trails lead into the alpine wilderness.  Snow keeps this area closed until well into July but the drive up to the mine parking lot is very beautiful as it meanders through a wooded forest following the Little Susitna River, a glacier-fed river.  There are several pull-outs which overlook the valley below.

If you go across the pass (summer months only) visitors are surrounded by the peaks and valleys of the Talkeetna Mountain range.  Hiking and camping are popular pastimes and photographers are provided with plenty of beautiful scenery and wildlife to photograph.  Many peaks retain snow throughout the year while others are in bloom with tundra foliage.  The pass summits at 3886 feet at Summit Lake.  There is a dirt road over the pass which continues down the western side for about 20 miles to the Parks Highway at Willow.  From Wasilla, take Main St in the center of town and follow Wasilla-Fishhook Road to left on Hatcher Pass Road.  (follow the signs)

Wasilla, AK is the “Home of the Iditarod” a 1,049 mile dog sled race to Nome.  Surrounded by mountains, it is tucked between Wasilla and Lucille Lakes and along with numerous other lakes, ponds and streams, provide important habitat for migrating water fowl, spawning and rearing of salmon and trout, and some of the best fishing in the area.  The current population is 6775 people which is a 68% increase since 1990.  This area is the state’s major agricultural region.  Root crops are grown during the long summer days and are sold in various farm markets and weekend markets throughout the area.  The carrots and potatoes have a very distinctive sweet flavor and are the best we have ever eaten.

A major attraction for vacationers is Big Lake.  There are numerous businesses offering watercraft for rent such as jet-skis and boats.  Campgrounds are on the north and south sides of the lake and another campground is located further back in the woods at Rocky Lake for a more remote camping experience.  Sailing, kayaking and ATV rails are also among the favorite activities in this area.

For a real Alaskan wilderness adventure, visitors can rent horses for a day or weekend, hire rafting outfitters and hunting guides, and even visit a local mining museum in the Sutton and Chikaloon area north of Palmer.  Fossil hunting in the nearby coal hills and berry picking are very popular among the locals and visitors.  There is a real unique coal mining historical center in the town of Sutton complete with old equipment and buildings housing photographs from the coal mining era.  There is even a coal miners’ hall of fame in one of the buildings.