Arch Prospect Trail

The feel

The trail leaves the Reed Lakes lot and climbs an old mining road and creek bed toward the Arch Prospect mine. It is rated moderate, and the terrain is tagged alpine, with a river and a quiet character.

The loop reaches a high point of 3441 ft from a trailhead at 2391 ft, in the Hatcher Pass East Management Area.

What to expect

Route and terrain

Loop of 3.4 to 3.5 miles with 1,050 to 1,056 ft of gain, up an old mining road and creek bed toward the Arch Prospect mine.

Time

About 2 hours.

Crowds and best time

Parking is limited at the Reed Lakes trailhead, and congestion on summer weekends should be anticipated.

Parking

The Reed Lakes Trailhead is at mile 2.9 of Archangel Road, where parking is limited. An Alaska State Parks pass is required.

Fees and passes

$5 day use, and a state park pass is accepted.

Hazards

Archangel Road is often very rough, and the road beyond the Archangel Creek bridge at mile 2.8 is not maintained and very rocky.

Season and access

Archangel Road is only open during the summer. It is about four miles long and ends at the private Fern Mine gate.

Mingo says

Come in summer, when the access road is open. Weekends are when the trailhead parking gets congested.

Before you go

• Bring $5 for day use or an Alaska State Parks pass.
• Drive a vehicle with high ground clearance; the road is often very rough in summer.
• From Palmer, take Palmer Fishhook Road 15 miles, turn onto Archangel Road, and drive 3.1 miles to the pullout.
• Call the Mat-Su Area Parks Office at (907) 745-3975 with questions.

Written October 2026. Sources are listed at the end of this page.