Gold Cord Lake is a very popular summer destination for visitors to Independence Mine State Historical Park and Hatcher Pass. The trail is just under one mile each way and accesses a deep blue glacial tarn (a lake formed by glaciers). The trail is gently graded for the first half, becoming briefly steep as it switchbacks up the terminal moraine to the lake. From the lake hikers have a commanding view of Independence Mine, Gold Cord Mine, and good views back down the valley to Hatcher Pass.
Conditions are best from mid summer through early fall. The trail may be muddy and snowy in the spring and is fully snow covered in the winter when the area is used for skiing.
If parking in the Upper Parking Lot, visitors should be aware that there is a gate at the bottom of the road which is locked at night and vehicles still in the Upper Lot may be locked in. For current gate hours contact Alaska State Parks Finger Lake Office or Salmonberry Tours. Visitors may choose to park below the gate in the Lower Parking Lot and walk up the road instead. It is one mile from the Lower Lot to the trailhead.
