About Motherlode
Where Legacy Meets Vision

The Property

 

Located at 17288 N. Palmer-Fishhook Road in Hatcher Pass, Alaska (Mile Post 14), Motherlode encompasses 4.9 acres of unzoned, generally square property with 462 feet on each boundary. This unique parcel features a dramatic bluff along the east end that drops to a level area along the Little Susitna River, offering both elevated views and riverside access.

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Getting There: From Anchorage, take the Glenn Highway until it turns into the Parks Highway. Turn north (right) onto Trunk Road. At the end of Trunk Road, turn left onto Palmer-Fishhook Road and follow it to Mile Post 14. You can also take the Glenn Highway north through Palmer, turning left onto Palmer-Fishhook Road. The scenic drive itself becomes part of the Alaskan experience—a preview of the natural splendor that defines this remarkable location.

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Built in 1942 as the "Little Su Roadhouse," this site served as a landmark destination and local treasure until fire claimed the original structure in 2015. For over seven decades, it welcomed visitors from around the world as a must-stop for local dining, events, and hospitality—a true jumping-off point for exploring the surrounding wilderness. The lodge even hosted training camps for Junior Olympic ski teams for many years, cementing its reputation as a world-class destination.

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What makes this location truly exceptional is its position as one of only four privately owned fee-simple properties on the east side of Hatcher Pass summit, situated central to approximately 300,000 acres of pristine Talkeetna Mountains wilderness. Paved and maintained Palmer-Fishhook Road bisects the property, providing year-round access that's rare for wilderness properties of this caliber.

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The strategic location offers unparalleled proximity to outdoor recreation: it directly abuts the Gold Mint Trailhead and sits close to Archangel Road, Reeds Lake Trailhead, Skeetawk Alpine Ski Area, and Independence Gold Mine and Preserve—one of Alaska's most visited tourism sites. Conveniently positioned approximately 16 miles from both Palmer and Wasilla and just 60 miles north of Anchorage, the property offers the perfect balance of wilderness immersion and year-round accessibility.

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Our Mission

 

We seek to secure a long-term land lease agreement that empowers a passionate entrepreneur to develop and operate this historic property, while we participate as partners in developing renewable utility infrastructure to support your unique hospitality vision. Together, we'll demonstrate on-site innovations that serve both your business success and the preservation of this irreplaceable landscape.

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This isn't about recreating the past—it's about building a sustainable future that honors what came before while embracing what's possible.

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Our Vision

 

We envision a cooperative partnership with a like-minded visionary who possesses the expertise, passion, and commitment to transform this blank canvas into Alaska's next legendary destination. We see a capable, creative hospitality professional with the vision to establish roots here and develop their own concept of an off-grid, sustainably powered enterprise.

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The market exists. The location is unparalleled. The infrastructure support is ready. What we need is the right partner—someone who understands that this opportunity transcends typical business ventures and represents a chance to create something truly meaningful.

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Information presented is believed to be accurate, but subject to correction and independent confirmation by the reader and his/her professional advisors.

Jill Reese is broker for Coho Realty LLC and owner of the property.