Flattop Mountain rises 3,510 feet above sea level just east of Anchorage, making it the most climbed mountain in Alaska. On any clear summer day, hundreds of hikers make the 3.4-mile round trip journey from the Glen Alps trailhead, and it’s easy to see why — the views of the Anchorage bowl, Cook Inlet, and on exceptional days, Denali itself, are simply breathtaking. But don’t let the crowds fool you into complacency. This is a real Alaskan mountain, and the upper section above the false summit involves genuine scrambling on loose scree and exposed ledges. Late season hikers have been rescued after being caught without microspikes when ice forms on the upper trail. This guide covers everything you need to summit safely and return with great photos.