Home to Independence Mine Historical Park, Hatchers Pass is located north of Wasilla, AK. The pass was originally a means of traveling between the goldmine and the Alaska Railroad, in Wasilla. Today, the pass is used for recreation. Dozens of trails are hiked in the summer, and the mountains are a perfect place for the locals to go on short backpacking trips. Fishhook Rd, open seasonally, allows passage over the pass by automobile for the less adventurous types. There are plans to build a ski resort in the pass, and measures are being taken by local government to research the impact that would have the environment and the community. During the winter, the pass is home to snow mobiles, snow boarders and cross country skiers. The road into the pass is closed once snowfall has made it impassable, but access is still gained by snow mobile.