Hatcher 4068 Corn and Powder

4068 is a non-descript, commonplace peak in the Talkeetna Mountains, notable for its exceptional access.  Today, Peak 4068 near Hatcher Pass was both a powder paradise and a sunny respite from the big storm blowing in from the Gulf of Alaska.  4068 southeast aspect softened into terrific corn under today's mostly clear skies, and its shady backside facing northwest held excellent powder.

Looking Up 4068's Backside

Looking Down 4068's Backside

Sunny Again at 4068

Sunshine (again), a set track, and plenty of untracked lines called me back to 4068.  Both the sunny and shady sides were sweet.  OK, Hatcher place name experts, what do they call the line down the northwest side of 4068, Halibut?

The Girdwood Gang, Doc, AKRobb and others, planned a Turnagain trip with reports of great snow from the day before and improving stability. Worried about the Turnagain Pass weather, and called by the 4068 sunshine, the difficult decision for me was north to 4068.

4068 had sunny skies, calm winds, 15F at the parking lot, and boot top snow. 

Sunny 4068

We were shown the way by the brilliant sun.  Climbing upward to the great white expanse, knowing not what we would find there, we were called by its brilliance.

Beckoned by it, we were drawn to it, warmed by it, blinded by it.

We found good skiing with boot top snow, slightly wind affected in places and sparkling smoke in the swales.  The +13F temperature at the parking area felt much warmer on the incline reflecting the warm sunshine.  Light wind on the ridge in the afternoon, but otherwise calm. 

A State Parks Ranger told us the area was closed to motorized vehicles.  We saw and smelled an outlaw pair riding a single, loud 2-cycle snow machine.  One carried a snowboard. 

 

Geno and BettyJane found the untracked experience in the sun.

Gov'mint

The Mint Glacier reigns over the valley of the Little Susitna River. Other minor glaciers in the area also feeding the Little Su were informally named by old-school Ski Kommandos as Spearmint, Doublemint, Troublemint, Managemint, and Telemint. Seems only fitting that Government Peak should be called Govmint.


Peak 4068









Lots of tracks are around, but the untracked experience is easily available. The base is variable from scritchy wind pack to soft and fluffy with a few areas of breakable, but 4" of hoary powder sits atop all base forms, and skiing is very good.

Gov'mint can be approached from a couple of different parking areas, either the Fishhook (also called Marmot) Trailhead (2700 ft el), or the parking area at Mile 11 (1500 ft el) Hatcher Pass Road. When the lower reaches are skiable, I really like the Mile 11 parking area because it reduces drive time, allows a more direct approach and avoids the busier areas further up the road.


Tracks on Marmot viewed from Gov'mint.