Summit Lake (Willow, Alaska) Explained

Summit Lake
Pushpin Map:USA Alaska
Pushpin Label Position:Center
Pushpin Map Caption:Location of Summit Lake within the
State of Alaska
Location:Willow, Alaska
United States
Coords:61.766°N -149.321°W
Type:Natural lake
Part Of:Susitna River Basin
Inflow:Snow fields & springs
Outflow:Willow Creek
Basin Countries:United States
Agency:Alaska Department of Natural Resources

Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation

Designation:State recreational site
Max-Depth:20feet
Elevation:3600feet

Summit Lake is a very small tarn (cirque lake) located above the tree line within the Hatcher Pass of the Talkeetna Mountains in Willow, Alaska, United States.

Description

The lake is located about 2000feet southwest of the summit of Hatcher Pass, about 2miles southwest of the Independence Mine State Historic Park, and about 2500feet northwest of Hatch Peak. It is also about 26miles west of main area of Willow and about 12miles north of both Palmer and Wasilla. The lake is situated within (and is the namesake of) the Summit Lake Recreation Site[1] The lake is fed directly by springs and snow fields and flows via a waterfall into beginning of Willow Creek. Willow Creek feeds into the Susitna River, which empties into the Cook Inlet of the Gulf of Alaska.

While the lake is very small, it is still a very popular site for photography.[2] [3] [4] [5] In addition to the lake's very scenic views in the summer, the area is also a destination for hiking and paragliding. In winter, the area is also popular for backcountry winter sports and access to the area is maintained year-round. However, complete access through the pass (including access from Willow) is usually not possible until early July.[6] The lake itself is accessed from the gravel road by a wide, but short and fairly rocky trail.[7]

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Summit Lake State Recreation Site. dnr.alaska.gov. Alaska Department of Natural Resources

    Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation

    . 26 Dec 2015.
  2. Web site: Alaska at Sunrise: The April Bowl Trail. Day. Ron. rondayvous.com. 30 Dec 2015.
  3. Web site: Sunhusky's Alaska: Hatcher Pass - Summit Lake. sunhusky.blogspot.com. 9 Sep 2011. 30 Dec 2015.
  4. Web site: Hatcher Pass & Alpenglow Wedding: Julia & Adam. ericaroseblog.com. Erica Rose Photography. 22 Sep 2013. 30 Dec 2015.
  5. Web site: Summit Lake, Hatcher Pass. lifewithemilylillian.blogspot.com. Ylitalo. Emily. 3 Aug 2013. 30 Dec 2015.
  6. Web site: Summit Lake State Recreation Area. Alaska.org. Alaska Channel. 26 Dec 2015.
  7. Web site: Summit Lake. doa.alaska.gov. Alaska Department of Administration. 30 Dec 2015.