Summit Lake (Willow, Alaska) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Summit Lake |
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A mid-summer view of Summit Lake
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 Summit Lake
Location in Alaska
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| Location | Willow, Alaska United States |
| Coordinates | 61°45′58″N 149°19′16″W / 61.7660°N 149.3210°W |
| Type | Natural lake |
| Part of | Susitna River Basin |
| Primary inflows | Snow fields & springs |
| Primary outflows | Willow Creek |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Managing agency | Alaska Department of Natural Resources: Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation |
| Designation | State recreational site |
| Max. depth | 20 feet (6.1 m) |
| Surface elevation | 3,600 feet (1,100 m) |
Summit Lake is a small mountain lake located high up in the Talkeetna Mountains in Alaska, United States. It sits near Willow, above the tree line, which means it's too high for trees to grow. This lake is part of the beautiful Hatcher Pass area.
About Summit Lake
Summit Lake is found about 2,000 feet (610 m) (610 meters) southwest of the highest point of Hatcher Pass. It's also about 2 miles (3.2 km) (3.2 kilometers) southwest of the Independence Mine State Historic Park. The lake is located within the Summit Lake Recreation Site, which is named after it.
The lake gets its water from natural springs and melting snow. Water from Summit Lake then flows over a waterfall to become the start of Willow Creek. This creek eventually joins the Susitna River, which flows into the Cook Inlet and then into the Gulf of Alaska. It's important not to confuse this Willow Creek with a town called Willow Creek, which is much farther away.
Things to Do at Summit Lake
Even though Summit Lake is small, it's a very popular spot for taking pictures because of its amazing views, especially in the summer.
People also visit the area around the lake for many outdoor activities:
- Hiking: There are trails for walking and exploring the mountain scenery.
- Paragliding: Some people enjoy flying through the air with a parachute-like wing.
- Winter Sports: In the colder months, the area is great for winter activities like backcountry skiing and snowboarding.
The road to Summit Lake is usually open all year. However, the full pass (including access from Willow) might not be completely open until early July due to snow. You can reach the lake from a gravel road by taking a short, rocky trail.
