We'd heard people mention Hatcher Pass, but we had no idea what to expect. Our friends called us from there one weekend and told us we'd love it, so we tossed our plans and headed straight there. Even the drive was beautiful especially as we paralleled this bright blue river.
We arrived at Independence Mine State Historic Park where ruins of this gold rush town can be explored. Robert Lee Hatcher staked the first claim here in 1906 which later became Independence Mine. There's a visitor center which offers guided tours, however, it was closed when we were there.
The path (above) leads you on a self guided tour of the area (below) with information boards posted at each station.
This successful gold mining operation, the second largest in Alaska, was shut down during WWII to shift resources to the war effort. It reopened after the war ended, but due to rising production costs and now fixed gold prices, the mine never fully recovered. It closed permanently in 1951.
More than 200 men were employed here and lived on site within the 16 buildings below year around. They recovered more than 150,000 ounces of gold between 1936 and 1943.
This tunnel was built to transport miners to the worksite and gold and debris out of the mine.
The track has fallen at this point.
Independence from above.
Before we left we decided to return the next day to hike one of the trails. We couldn't wait to be surrounded by this beauty awhile longer.
ReplyDeletecheese cutting board Thanks for the amazing Gold Cableway Trail at Hatchers Pass. Tomorrow we are! You made such an amazing sound! We are doing a "home stay" this year and are enjoying our beautiful Alaska