The New Trail to Gold Cord Lake at Hatcher Pass

In 2007 through 2009, a new trail was built from the Independence Mine area at Hatcher Pass, up to Gold Cord Lake.   The old trail went directly up a rock fall that adorned the creek that drains the lake.  It was fairly vertical, with a moderate amount of exposure, especially considering how many families took little kids up the path, because the hike is short and quite convenient.

The new trail is almost twice a long as the old direct route.  It is far safer for families with little kids, though.  Judy, Strider and I hiked it today.

Judy hikes a lot more than me, and has done the new route before.  It was my first time up the new trail.  Some of the new rock stairs are quite pretty, the way they seem to highlight the other native rocks around them.

The park people have erected some barriers, to keep people off the old trails, some of which are being replanted with local flora.

This set of stairs had several rocks that must weigh over 500 pounds.

Another long, wide staircase.

Part of a series of staircases.

The top of the new trail, as it converges with the old one, just to the west of the lake.

Overlooking the western edge of Gold Cord Lake, looking down on Independence Mine valley, the peaks around the summit of Hatcher Pass, and a bit of the lower Knik River basin in the background.  I counted 52 people up at the lake, by far the most people I've ever seen there.

The southwest corner of the lake, with its shades of blue, green, azure and aquamarine.