アラスカの絶景の山頂・トップ20

When the weather is clear, you have a great view of the mountains and the coast off Anchorage from up here.

From Bodenburg Butte you have a great 360° view of the surrounding mountains and the Knik Glacier, which feeds the Knik River of the same name. The butte itself was also formed by glacial activity. The panoramic view is definitely worth the strenuous climb (including a staircase with 527 steps).

Blueberry Knoll is named for the plentiful berries that populate its slopes in autumn—but this is such a popular area that they get picked out very quickly. Blink, and you'll miss them! You'll hike right past the knoll on your way up Flattop, or you can treat it as its own destination, hiking a complete loop around it to enjoy the views in all directions before you head back down.

The views from Flattop Mountain's plateau summit are spectacular. On a really clear day you can see the Alaska Range, and sometimes even Denali (tiny in the distance) from here. If you have the time and energy, you can also hike farther along the ridge to the southeast. There are two ways to hike up Flattop Mountain: From the Canyon Road AKA Rabbit Creek Trailhead, which you need a car to reach, or from the Glen Alps Trailhead, which you can reach with a car or via the Flattop Shuttle (see https://www.hike-anchorage-alaska.com/). If you're hiking from the Glen Alps Trailhead, the trail includes a bit of steep scrambling near the summit. Be careful and watch for loose rock!

On a clear day you can easily see Ketchikan sprawling below you from the summit of Deer Mountain. Ketchikan International Airport is also visible just across the water, on neighboring Gravina Island. As always when running in Alaska, you should be alert to the risk of unexpected wildlife encounters, and the possibility of fast-moving, rapidly changing weather.

Blueberry Hill Trail is a short ~mile long trail that offers a cool view of Wonder Lake. Mount Denali towers in the background on a clear day, too.

The trail up Tanalian Mountain climbs quickly and steeply up to 3,960 feet. It overlooks Lake Clark National Park and a lot of the surrounding mountains, glaciers, and lakes. This is a tough run that is primarily a power-hike during the uphill. Coming down can be slick but offers a real Alaskan mountain running experience.

At the summit of Anvil Mountain, you'll find the last remaining tropospheric antennas in the US from the White Alice Communications system. These monumental structures were a crucial part of Cold War-era military and civilian communication; there were dozens of White Alice sites that supported both military operations like the Distant Early Warning (DEW) line that covered the Arctic Circle to notify the lower 48 of impending bombs sent over from Russia as well as civilian communications. While exploring these historical antennas, there are breathtaking views of Nome and the Bering Sea. The mountain is also home to a variety of wildlife, including muskoxen, ravens, and various bird species. Keep an eye out for the Anvil Mountain primrose and Kamchatka rhododendron, as well as other alpine flowers in the area.