The Football Field and O'Malley Peak

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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.
	Difficulty	The hike up O'Malley is very steep. If you plan on going down the scree (to Black Lake), add another point of difficulty (as well as going back up). Ross Timm submitted the following: "If you plan on going to the real peak be careful of short steep portions, scree, and steep ridges" (see his other comments below)
	Connects With	Williwaw Lakes Powerline Pass
	Miles One Way	4
	Miles from Anchorage	In town; 20 minute drive from downtown
	General Vicinity	Chugach State Park
	Season	May to September

	Description	Most people use this as a thru hike to get to Williwaw Lakes but it makes a fine day hike and overnighter in its own right. The climb up to the saddle of O'Malley is a bit tough, but once you get up there, the terrain and landscape features are very unique and spectacular, and worth the effort. First on the menu is a glacial valley that literally is almost as flat and wide as a football field. In the fall, it is a colorful mosaic of rock and scrub. Note: Some people call this area the Ballpark. As you head further up the slope, you come to Deep Lake. It's quite interesting as it looks like a huge bowl that is half filled. About a 1/4 mile from that, you will look down at Black Lake from a dizzying height with a gorgeous view of Williwaw Valley and sights beyond. The lake is a wonderful deep blue color, almost like a marble. As a day hike and a final destination, it is definitely worth it. It is an incredible view and a great place to have lunch. There is a good chance of viewing dall sheep as well as eagles, fox and artic ground squirrels. *** Climbing up to the furthest summit is doable. Ross Timm graciously contributed the following:** The "big" O'Malley Peak (versus "little" O'Malley) is a great day hike. You start at Glen Alps, and the feeling of bypassing the Flat Top crowd is the first bonus. The first mile is down through Powerline Pass/Campbell Creek, then very steeply up to a saddle (usually with a snow pack at top through the summer) at which you can go left to Little O'Malley, or right into "the Ballpark", at which you begin a long mellow alpine tundra walk to the base of "big" O'Malley peak. At this point you see the scree slope the books tell you to go up- at first it seems very intimidating, but I found it's not too bad if you take it easy and use the steps that have been eroded into it. At the top you find another snow saddle at which you take a left turn and follow just below the ridge via slight trails. There are many false peaks until you finally find the highest (these appear as a tight group from Anchorage, which is deceiving.) The trail is slightly dangerous here. Unfortunately, in early July, the peak itself is overrun with no-see-ums, even though the trail itself is bug-free. The trip back is loose rock- especially the scree field. I think it is best "skied" down in the loosest portions- with care this seems easier than picking your way down. The return is fine except the trip back down from the first saddle is very eroded, loose rock. O'Malley is also a good side trip from a camp-out in the Ballpark. The book, 55 hikes in Chugach State Park said 5 to 8 hours. I travel pretty fast (toot toot)- it took me 4 with few breaks, and little lingering at the peak because of the bugs. Enjoy! A few months later, he added the following: Regarding the scree slope on O'malley- the trick is that the scree here is so loose and so small in diameter and so deep that the trick is to not find stability- in scree like that it is relatively safe to "ski" down with the "avalanching" scree. As long as you are capable of keeping your descent in tack, it is pretty care free, and I think safer than picking your way down. * Ross gave this hike a 4 moose hoof rating and a difficulty rating of "Moderately Difficult" *** * Nic graciously contributed the following: On August 06, I decided to head to O'Malley Peak. Once at the Ballpark, I headed right keeping south aiming for the shallow right gully up O'Malley's face. The scree was not bad at all. Zigzagging my way up, I had almost no difficulty. I also brought some gloves, just because the rocks can be sharp. Once at the second saddle I picked up the sheep trail heading northeast. Finding the peak was pretty confusing because there are so many false summits. Eventually, after climbing east on the ridge, you will see a highpoint before it drops down and goes back up to Hidden Peak; you are there. Go back the way you came, or try exiting out Hidden Valley (The valley beneath you) Also, I was somewhat concerned about coming down on the scree, but I found minimal difficulty, and just going with the flow. After 'skiing' the scree, head back across the Ballpark and down to Glen Alps. Etc:** Fantastic views, but sometimes the area can get socked in. Also, consider bringing gloves for toe rocks. And take care going down the first saddle near Little O'Malley Peak because it is very eroded. * Nic also gave this hike a 4 moose hoof rating and a difficulty rating of "Moderately Difficult" ("Going to the 'real' peak is moderately difficult. The first saddle to Little O'Malley is good for novices.") ***** As I said before, most people will continue on to Williwaw Valley but someday I plan on setting up camp for an overnighter. I think this area has some hidden secrets to reveal. This a great day hike for people who can't get away from the city.

	Important Information	I am stating the obvious but be careful going down the scree to Black Lake. Always make sure the rock is secure before putting your weight on it. Ascending the scree can be quite daunting looking at it from the bottom. Once you start climbing, you'll realize it's mostly in your head. Stay on the left side where there is less rock and more boulders to grab onto. Take your time and do a little Rocky Balboa dance when you get to the top. If you're day hiking, consider walking back via the North Ridge to get great views of both valleys. There is a spectacular rock formation just before you would cross over the Football Field to rejoin the trail. *** Clint Helander (Alaska Outdoor Club) gave this hike a 4 moose hoof rating along with the following reason: "O'Malley is one of the most prominent peaks in the frontal Chugach range. From Anchorage, it appears to be the tallest and most rugged. Completing this hike to the top is quite significant." He also contributed this important information: I climbed this peak solo in mid May from Glen Alps. When I got to the Football Field, I hung a left and gained the Northwest ridge of O'Malley. This is truly not a climb for novices, as it is incredibly steep and vertical drops of at least 1500 feet are at times, less than two feet away from where you are climbing. This is not a hike, it is a climb. There were literally times where I was free climbing as if I was on a vertical rock face. It has a lot of potential to be dangerous. Make sure you have good hand and foot holds at all times. That being said, it is an awesome climb. I definitely took more difficult route up from the standard Glen Alps/Powerline Pass route. There are some awesome ice lines waiting to be climbed on the North face of O'Malley. I intend to tackle them next winter. They lead almost directly to the top from the tarn at the base. It would be one hell of an ice climb. Also, I wouldn't suggest doing this climb solo as I did. There were several spots where I was in a very precarious position. Had I fallen, no one would have found me for a long, long time. * * Ross Timm responded to Clint's submittal: He took an extremely advanced route, which he stated, but it may not be clear that he did almost a rock climbing ascent by taking the north ridge- which is amazing, by the way. The route I described is long but very doable by anybody in good condition and not afraid of a little scree. ***

	Etc.	The Glen Alps Parking Lot requires a $5 parking fee (bring exact amount). The price for an annual parking 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. There are a lot of great hikes around this area. Don't let the proximity to Anchorage deter you from this wonderful place. For hikes in this vicinity, go to the Powerline Pass hike page.


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