Flattop Mountain - Chugach State Park (near Anchorage), Alaska - Mountain Summits on Waymarking.com

In the Chugach State Park, east of the city of Anchorage, there is a range of mountains that are easily accessible for hiking, camping and many other outdoor activities. One of the mountains, Flattop, is on the western edge of the range and is one of the most climbed mountains not only in the park, but in the entire state.

Flattop is so named because of its mesa like appearance compared to other mountains in the range. The top of the mountain is nearly flat and level with an area of several hundred feet. The peak is 3510 ft (1070 m), which, though one of the smaller peaks of the Chugach Range, is still tall enough to provide a good workout. There is a smaller knoll to its west, Blueberry Hill, that is the start of the formation. To the east of Flattop, there is a dip to 3250 ft (thus a vertical difference of about 260 ft) to the next mountain at 3658 ft. Thus, the Flattop is a distinct mountain per the guidelines specified. Round trip is estimated to be about 3 hours.

The closest approach is the Glen Alps Trailhead, which has a good sized parking lot, and restrooms are there, as well as a ranger station. Fees vary for Alaska State Parks - $5 - $10 per vehicle. I came with a resident who had an annual pass. The altitude is at about 1250 feet. In general, while most people can climb this mountain, it is rugged enough that there are steep and rugged areas which can be strenuous.

The trail goes on for about 1.5 miles, one way, if you go directly up the mountain, or a little longer if you go between Flattop and Blueberry Hill, and wind up along a switchback to the boulders. This is the recommended route in ascending the mountain. The other way is steeper and has less to grab onto. The trail starts from the Glen Alps parking lot as stairs, then a wide, well-maintained path. After the split, both trails get narrower. The more roundabout trail goes through a notch, then ascends on a south facing slope to a plateau where there is a rest point. From there, the trail continues into a rocky area where you do some bouldering. The last fifty feet or so of ascent is easier, then you arrive at the top. There is a cairn that is easily a person's height to tag. There is a bit of room to roam at the top so, allow for some time at the top. The descent down the steeper trail is tricky, since you are essentially doing a controlled slide down. - you can certainly go down the same trail you came up, if you feel that is the better way down. The other trail takes you to the north side of the slope, with views of the valley between mountains. A word of warning - there are steep gullies from the peak as well. Though it might look fun to slide down these, they are very steep and dangerous!

Flattop mountain has great views all around. To the north is the western edge of the Chugach Mountains. To the east are the higher peaks of the mountains nearby. To the south is the slope down to Turnagain Arm. To the East is the metropolitan Anchorage area layout out against the Cook Inlet. Though the visibility was good, but not great, we could not see the Alaska Range across the Cook Inlet, but it is possible.

For More Information:

Chugach State Park
(visit link)

Altitude in Feet: 3510

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