July 23 – Flattop Mountain

July 22 (Denali) Photos
July 23 (Flattop Mountain) Photos
July 23 was a strange sort of day.  I made my way down to Fairbanks and took the car in for its scheduled service.  By the time I got out, it was already 1 PM, and acting like it might rain.  I decided to do a hike in town, and selected Flattop Mountain, supposedly the most-climbed mountain in Alaska.  I didn’t know much about it and so I substantially misunderestimated it.
The trail begins out easily enough but soon it starts to climb fairly steadily, then steeply.  Just when you think you’re about done, the stairs begin.  They bring you up to a little saddle with nice views in several directions, including out over Prince William Sound.  Many people conclude their hikes at this point, because beyond the saddle there is no clear path, and instead it’s a scramble over the rocks, somewhat vertically, several hundred feet higher to the summit.  In places, the climb is quite treacherous, and even more so on the way down.  The ground is covered in loose scree and many times I felt the ground give way beneath my feet.  I made sure to maintain at least three points of contact at all times, and managed to avoid having any falls although it was a near thing.
I was rewarded at the top with an interesting space, a few acres in size, mostly flat and with great views in all directions.  The moment I summited, the wind ripped my hat off and it was only by luck that my reflexes were fast enough to catch it as it flew away.  I tied it down after that.  The day was overcast and so the photos are dark, unfortunately.  But it really was a memorable spot.
With a few hours left to kill, I decided to see a movie.  I went to see “A Quiet Place,” and enjoyed it.  I was the only one in the entire theater.