June 20 First Full Day in Alaska

Wednesday "dawned" with a bright blue sky. "Dawned" in quotes because it never really got darker than what we would call twilight. Kris says it's very unusual weather for Anchorage so we must get out and do something.

Flat Top Mountain is the most hiked mountain in Alaska, probably because of its proximity to Anchorage. Like a couple of miles outside the city limits. The peak is at an elevation of 3245 ft. Since you can drive part way up, the hike is 1.5 miles with an elevation gain of 1280 ft.

Beautiful views right from the start all the way to the top. Which is a good thing because Carol and Kris stopped about half way up. The last half is a steep rock field that is more rock climbing than hike. I probably would have let Andrew go on by himself but there were too many kids scampering up and down for me to say "I can't do that." So up we went. It was well worth it, first just to accomplish it but also for the 360 degree view of the area - Cook Inlet and the city to the west, and mountains in all other directions.

Here we are part way up.

The view from Carol and Kris' resting spot.

This is what stopped Carol and Kris.

The final stretch

We made it

The views

Reminder - click on picture to open full size in a new page

We took a different route back down.

Near the tree line

Finnegan, "Finn" is Kris' Service Dog and will be accompanying us wherever we go. This was the first day we wore him out. I'm sure there will be more.

Back home and resting.

Tomorrow is Andrew's birthday.