I LOVED THIS TRAIL. Gold Mint Trail is about 90 minutes north of Anchorage. Hatcher Pass has a lot of incredible trails to hike and backpack. The parking lot allows day-use or overnight camping for a small fee that you pay at the Kiosk located near the entrance to the trailhead parking lot. This trail is also dog-friendly, which is the best part, obviously 🐶
The first few miles of this trail are pretty casual and will likely be busy depending on the day of the week you go, but it eventually turns into a more challenging trail as you embark further ahead to Mint Hut. There is a river almost the whole way, offering plenty of opportunities to refill your water (seasonal dependent). If I could recommend any trail to do, it would be this one!

If you are RVing, driving, or plan on camping, I recommend stopping at Turner's Corner for free water fill up, laundry, food, showers, and anything else you might need. There is another corner gas station that offers the same thing further back on the road, so you'll have both options! https://maps.app.goo.gl/4hT7VX46xkLj7ryh6?g_st=ipc

I do recommend bringing Bear Spray, a Garmin inReach for out-of-service communication, potentially spikes/crampons depending on the season, bug spray, and potentially a mosquito head net during the summer months because the mosquitoes can be BRUTAL.
Garmin inReach: https://www.garmin.com/en-US/search/?query=inreach

You can watch my full experience on this trail on my YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yTPSqSnc6kM&t=30s

For trail details, visit: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/alaska/gold-mint-trail

Please make sure to Leave-No-Trace & pack out what you pack in!
7 Principles for Leave No Trace: https://lnt.org/why/7-principles/?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=18565554164&gbraid=0AAAAADFQyoqMFdxYWpQC-lXaLhATrNThu&gclid=Cj0KCQjwo63HBhCKARIsAHOHV_WQd_OhHNz9mMeabSaIUDfpULTpI55HT7OGdGHbDEJzq5-i-OnbArIaAlYWEALw_wcB

Here is my general backpacking list

Essentials

Backpack

Sleeping Bag

Sleeping Pad

Tent/Bivvy

Jetboil

Water

Backpacking Meals

Headlamp

Water Bladder

Reactor Mid/Extreme Liner
Safety

Bear Spray

Bear Bag/Can

Bug Spray

Bug Head Net

Anti-Itch Cream

Sunscreen

SPF Chapstick

Garmin inReach 

Power Bank/Solar power bank & Cables

Water Purifying tabs (Aquatabs or Epic Water Filters water bottle)

First Aid Kit

Personal

Underwear

Sports bras

Socks

Base layer

Mid Layer

Fleece

Down Jacket

Beanie

Hat

Boots

Camp Shoes

Waterproof/Water resistant pants

Chewable toothpaste tabs

Toothbrush

Body/face wipes

Face cleanser

Bed-time clothes

Rain Jacket 

Dog

Backpack

Dog Socks/boots

Poop Bags

Disposal Bag

Dog Food

Water

Light up Dog Collar (NiteIze is a great option)

Paw Balm

Snout Sunscreen

First Aid Kit

Harness 
OTHER

Camera

Camera Battery

SD Card

Peak Design Clip

Extra Batteries

SD Card Case