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| 123 |    Photos Map
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| Last Updated:
July 09, 2011
Please help this site! Since I no longer live here, it is important that users verify the data. If this date is longer than a year ago please email me and let me know the information below is still valid. If I don't get verification on this trail, I may remove it from the site. |
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Difficulty |
Moderate-steep in some places. Be very careful as you scramble over rocks and boulders near the top. | |
Connects With |
None | |
Miles One Way |
1.5 | |
Miles
from
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City Limits. About a 20 minute drive from downtown. | |
General Vicinity |
Chugach State Park | |
Season |
June to September- severe avalanche danger if there is still a lot of snow. The trail is usually closed if authorities feel it's still unsafe but don't assume it's safe if there is no sign. | |
Description |
One of the most
popular day hikes for residents of Anchorage. During the summer,
many of us climb it as a cardio workout. Basically it's a nice quick hike to an almost flat summit (the result of a glacier shearing its top off). If you're only in town for a few days on business and can't really get out or if you have some extra time on your travels up here, I highly recommend it for its views of Anchorage, the Cook Inlet, Turnagain Arm, and the Chugach Mountains. Otherwise, the trail can be crowded and is not the rustic hike so famous up here (i.e. trail markers, hand rails, very maintained trail, etc.). However, if you're seriously urban and you're a little freaked out by the wilderness, this could be just the ticket for you. If you have the time, I urge you to push ahead and explore Peak Two and Three. There is a visibly marked trail (be careful on the ridge between Two and Three) so you should have no problems navigating to them. |
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Important Information |
Be very careful going up and especially going down when you are
near the top. It is quite rocky and slippery. There are no water sources on the trail. Make sure to bring some with you. It can be quite windy up top so you may want to consider packing a windbreaker. There are rock shelters to sit in if need be. |
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Etc. |
The Glen Alps Parking Lot requires a $5 parking fee (bring exact
amount). The price for an annual parking pass is $40. You can
purchase a pass at the Federal Building at 4th and F or the
Atwood Building on 7th and E, 12th Floor. Here are the directions for getting there: take the Seward Highway to the O'Malley exit and head east. After a few miles, follow the signs to Glen Alps. Make a right on Hillside Drive then a left on Upper Huffman. Turn right on Toilsome Hill. This road will twist and wind up the hills for about two miles. On the night of the
summer solstice (June 20), people camp up at the summit overnight in celebration. You can also just hike to Blueberry Hill (you may find some freedom), the
first part of the Flat Top Trail. If you come in late August,
early September, bring some Tupperware to hold all the blueberries that
you're going to want to pick. |
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