June 2,2016
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Flattop Mountain - the most hiked in the state, and its a really BIG state!
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To us, a trip to Alaska is about hiking the beautiful trails that run in nearly every direction. While in Anchorage there were a few that stood out. Considering distance and elevation gain was a big factor, so
Flat Top Mountain, reported to be the most climbed mountain in the state, was chosen. Located in the
Chugach Mountains, this 3 mile hike with 1350 foot elevation gain certainly seemed doable.
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So far so good, this looks pretty easy!
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We could see what must be the destination way off in the distance – easily recognizable by the flat top.
The parking lot was pretty busy so we weren’t too worried about bears, but the weather was threatening, and felt pretty cold. We put on many layers of clothing, got out the hiking poles and headed up the mountain.
It very quickly got slippery and steep. Then the wind picked up and it started to rain- or maybe it was sleet? I thought it was great- the cold felt wonderful on my face, which was getting hot from the exertion.
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Not only were these slippery wooden stairs at twisted angles, there were deep spaces between them that was hard to get your feet in. Side-stepping was the safest method we found.
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The four of us from the “older generation” carefully climbed up several hundred ( 78 stories according to my Fitbit ) of irregularly placed and crooked stairs- angled in such a way as to invite a possibly fatal fall. We could not believe this trail was rated as “easy to moderate” (must be on the “Alaskan scale”) Yikes, we are out of shape! I was rather proud that I didn’t do any worse than our friends, and Norm always does well.
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What? Seriously? These well-toned men (not that I notice that sort of thing ) had no shirts on as they ran down the hill. We were freezing in the cold rain.
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As we picked our way up the trail, we had to move over or be mowed down by the local young Alaskans literally flying down the trail, some at a run!
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This a tough hike so early in the trip! In Florida we don't have a single stair, so all these stairs are a little rough on the knees!
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As we got closer to the top, we were warned by people coming down that it was really windy, rainy, and VERY slippery up there. Although we were disappointed, it was a quick and unanimous decision to err on the side of caution and avoid the danger, cold and sleet. ( plus, we were appallingly exhausted ).
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After we had our lunch I tried out my new selfie stick!
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We summoned up the strength to head to Walmart and later to another supermarket to get the last of the provisions we needed before heading out of Anchorage.
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Beauty in every direction as we hiked along
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That night we had a wonderful meal of giant local scallops. It was a long, exhausting, but great day.
