Hatcher Pass
Talkeetna Mountains, Alaska · 3,830 ft
Tundra turns red and orange across open alpine bowls above the Little Susitna River, with the road switchbacking through the color. Nothing grows tall at this elevation, so the ridgelines stack cleanly behind each other.
Typical peak
Aug 28 – Sep 5
Long range. Treat as a planning estimate only.
Best light
Works at both ends of the day
Crowds
moderate
Fills up mid-morning. Arriving for first light is usually enough.
Getting there
Take Palmer-Fishhook Road north from the Glenn Highway near Palmer about 18 miles to the summit parking area, where the gravel section toward Willow begins.
What turns here
- dwarf birch
- willow
- bearberry
Color progression
Typical peak Sep 1Typical color progression for Hatcher Pass. No change from Jul 25 to Aug 11. First color from Aug 11 to Aug 20. Approaching peak from Aug 20 to Aug 28. Peak from Aug 28 to Sep 5. Past peak from Sep 5 to Sep 15. Bare from Sep 15 to Sep 29.
Hatcher Pass is typically at no change on this date.
Light at peak
Hatcher Pass on September 1, the day it typically peaks. Knowing when color arrives is one thing. Knowing where the sun will be is another.
| Event | Time |
|---|---|
| First light (blue hour) Sun 6° below horizon | 5:58 AM |
| Sunrise Rises ENE · 71° | 6:47 AM |
| Morning golden hour ends 59 min of low, warm light | 7:46 AM |
| Solar noon Highest sun, flattest light | 1:57 PM |
| Evening golden hour starts 59 min before sunset | 8:07 PM |
| Sunset Sets WNW · 289° | 9:06 PM |
| Last light (blue hour) Sun 6° below horizon | 9:54 PM |
Times in America/Anchorage · day length 14h 19m · computed from NOAA solar equations
Which way to point the camera
Sun rises ENE, sets WNW.
Aim within 45° of those and the canopy glows translucent. Turn your back to them for flat, accurate color.
Location pages name the light directly.
Shooting conditions
Glassy water, wind blur, and what the cloud will do to your light.
Recent reports
What people actually saw here. Been recently? Add yours.