Marmot Mountain (and Fish Peak): Two beautiful peaks for the price of one
I drove past this trailhead for years before realizing there was really a hike here! And Marmot Mountain is well worth the climb. It’s the polar opposite of Skyscraper Peak, starting easy and then rocketing up to the sky. Once you start really gaining elevation you’ll earn sweeping views in all directions, including up to Hatcher Pass itself.
This is a great place to watch descending paragliders on summer evenings.
Speaking of which, here’s a complete list of the 13 amazing hiking trails in Hatcher Pass.
| Round Trip: 3.2 miles | Nearest community: Wasilla/Palmer |
| Elevation gain: 2,170 feet | Typical season: May to October |
| Parking fee: $5 or Alaska State Parks pass | Nearby trails: Blueberry Knoll, Government Peak, Gold Mint, Gold Cord Lake, April Bowl, Reed Lakes |
Marmot Mountain Trailhead Directions
Take Trunk Road north from Wasilla until the road ends in a T intersection. Turn left at the T, which will be signed either for some variety of “Fishhook” road or for Hatcher Pass Road. Park at the signed Fishhook Trailhead, at mile 16.5 of Hatcher Pass Road.
Hiking Marmot Mountain
The hike up Marmot Mountain is delightfully uncomplicated, except for the fact that the trailhead you park at is, counterintuitively, called the Fishhook trailhead.
Once you’re past that first hurdle, all you have to do is strike the most-traveled trail heading up the lone mountain right in front of you. There are plenty of social trails carved into the mountainside, but let’s try to minimize erosion by sticking to the main trail when possible.
The first peak you reach on your uphill trek isn’t actually Marmot Mountain; it’s called Fish Peak. Keep on going, and the next (and final) peak you hill will be Marmot Mountain.
This is hike 11 in Day Hiking Southcentral Alaska.
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Lisa Maloney
A long-time Alaskan, Lisa has written three award-winning guidebooks including "Day Hiking Southcentral Alaska" and "50 Hikes Around Anchorage." She also served as senior editor of Alaska magazine and has written hundreds of newspaper columns and magazine articles about her adventures around the state. Learn more about her at http://maloneywrites.com.
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