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 Reporter |
Summary: The trail starts with a wooden staircase and switchbacks through hemlock until reaching the alpine tundra at Blueberry hill. The last few hundred feet are steep & rocky. The views are great from the top of the 3550 ft peak. On clear days Mt. McKinley and Mt Redoubt can easily be seen. If so desired a person can continue along the ridge to the southeast to the next two peaks, elevations 3658 ft. and 4111 ft. During the summer and winter solstice the Mountaineering Club of Alaska holds overnight camp-outs on the summit, despite the lack of water. Rated easy-moderate due to the elevation gain in the short distance and bad trail conditions near the top. The trail holds several potential hazards. Exercise extreme caution as you approach the summit. Several hikers have been seriously injured after slipping on the loose rocks and falling off the side. Stay between the markers that are set near the summit. Novices may have problems. Not recommended for small children. Trailhead: Drive south on the New Seward Highway and take the O'Malley road exit and head east. Drive about 4 miles and take a right onto Hillside drive. Drive approximately 1 mile and turn left onto Upper Huffman Road, and drive .7 miles to a three way intersection, turn right onto Toilsome Hill Drive. Go about 2 miles to the Glen Alps parking area, the trailhead is on the left. The Flattop Trail is found by climbing the stairs on the southeast side of the parking area. (Lat:61.1 Lon:-149.68) Trail Guides for Flattop Mountain Trail: 55 Ways to the Wilderness in Southcentral Alaska by Nienhueser and Wolfe (Mountaineers Books) Best Seasons: Fall, Summer, User Groups: Hikers, Dogs, Ranger Contact: Chugach State Park (907) 345-5014 Localhikes Reporter: This hike was submitted by Irene Lee, who has posted 1 other hike on this site. To visit this reporters web site, click here. Trail Reviews Page 1 of 4 Submit your own review 
Reviewed by Flying Eagle on 3/23/2008 I've hiked this trail three times so far: 2005, 2006 and September 2007. The first stretch is a bit uphill but manageable for just about anyone, even smaller children if you take your time and they have the willingness. The second saddle around Blueberry Hill is a bit more strenuous, but at the right time of the year (late August) the blueberries are worth the effort. The last section is difficult with navigating around rocks and boulders. Not much of a nice easy path here at any pace. Follow the neon green marks over the final scramble. On my own I've made it up in 45 minutes and down in about 30. The 360 degree view from the top is awesome so go on a clear day. Carry a small stone from the parking lot to add to the pile on the flat top.
Reviewed by Peter & Liz on 10/9/2007 My wife and i were visiting good friends and they took us to this site before returning home to Texas. It was a very exciting but nervous hike since we are not used to these type of attractions. My wife and i made it to the top and were very excited once we reached our destination. The fun part was coming down. Awesome Trip!!! 
Reviewed by wil on 9/16/2007 I climbed Flat Top with my son while visiting him and hisfamily in Anchorage. It was a highlight of time in Anchorage - beautiful view!
Reviewed by Shuttle Service on 8/29/2007 The Flattop Mountain Shuttle provides van transportation from downtown to the trailhead and back for $22 per person. The Shuttle leaves from 4th & C at 1 p.m. and gets to the trailhead at 1:30. Hikers meet back at the van at 4 and are back downwtown at 4:30. Sign up at Downtown Bicycle Rental or vist our website: www.alaska-bike-rentals.com for more information about this awesome unguided hike. It is Alaska's most frequently-climbed mountain. I like it so much, I started a business to take people there. Be prepared for all kinds of weather including hot weather so wear or bring shorts. Sneakers with a good tread (hiking sneakers) are best. Hiking boots are too much for most but for slow hikers boots can be a reassuring thing.
Reviewed by Stacey on 7/22/2007 A couple weeks ago, I hiked this along with a friend and his dog. He has done this hike a few times before and this was my first time ever going all the way to the top. We all did it and then decided to go to the next peak. There we saw ptarmigan but unfortunatly the clouds were all around us, so we barely could see much of the wonderful view I have been told about. We followed the peak a bit more and then went down towards the power line trail. That was tough. But we did come across some snow. Sledding in July, that was fun. Made it to the power line trail and walked back to the car. I will do this again, but without the clouds.
Reviewed by Sonia on 7/19/2007 I hiked this with 4 other women of varying skill levels on 7/17/07. The trail starts out easily enough, but once you leave bluberry hill the terrain becomes increasingly rugged. The last few hundred feet are sort of a mix of hiking and rock climbing, really fun in my opinion, one that *some* beginners may not share. The section that proved most dangerous for our little group was on the way down right after the steep part... watch out for the beds of small loose rocks that are everywhere! I saw a few small children reach the summit, but I would NOT recommend it. I left my 5 and 3 year olds at home, and I'm glad I did! I'll take them all the way up when they're older, but for now we'll stick to the Blueberry Hill track.
Reviewed by rk on 7/17/2007 I really enjoyed my trip up the mountain on a warm and mostly sunny evening in mid-July. I'm a flatlander and got a bit nervous right below the summit. Didn't realize how close I was to the top. Just keep an eye out for the colored, painted dots and you should make it. Great views and a sense of accomplishment.
Reviewed by Lisa on 7/2/2007 I hiked this with my Ohio friends on 20 June 2007. Some locals told us that the hike was 20 minutes. Maybe to the first tier! We ended up climbing all the way to the post on the very top. It was exhausting, even though I'm in fairly good shape. It was in the high 70s on the way up. As soon as we got up there, clouds rolled in, and it started to sprinkle rain/snow. The lightening made everyone's hair stand up. In a few minutes, it started to hail a little smaller than marble size. That was the worst feeling in the world since we were up so high with no cover. It hailed a couple more times and ended up pouring as we made our way down. It was an experience that I'll never forget. The view was breath-taking, and I would recommend the hike Notice: Traveling in the backcountry can be hazardous. You are responsible for informing yourself about these hazards and taking necessary precautions. Information on this web site comes from volunteer reporters and may contain errors or omissions. A current guidebook and proper equipment are essential for safe enjoyment of the hikes posted on this site. Keys: Alaska Hiking, Alaska Trails, Alaska Hikes, Anchorage County Hiking, Anchorage County Trails, Anchorage County Hikes | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||