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The Sunnyside Flattop Trail: A better [back] trail up Flattop
Flattop is, without a doubt, the most-hiked mountain in all of Southcentral Alaska. The Sunnyside Flattop trail is a relatively recent addition, constructed as an alternative to the older, heavily eroded front-side trail up Flattop, which also involves a legitimate scramble up steep rocks at the end.
And guess what? This new(ish) trail is awesome! It’s a pleasant, moderate hike all the way up to the summit, with side trails going up the nearby summits of Peak 2 and Peak 3. You can enjoy amazing views out over Anchorage (and the inlet beyond) as you hike up, then take in expansive views of the valleys all around you once you reach the summit.
If you’re hiking with kids of dogs, I highly recommend taking this trail instead of the old “front” route.
This is hike 44 in my guidebook Day Hiking Southcentral Alaska, and hike 15 in 50 Hikes Around Anchorage.
| Round trip: 3.4 miles | Nearest community: Anchorage |
| Elevation gain: 1,610 feet | Typical season: May to October |
| Parking fee: $5 (credit cards accepted) or Alaska State Parks pass | Nearby trails: Rabbit Lake, McHugh Peak, Flattop (front side), Powerline Pass |
Sunnyside Flattop Trailhead Directions
From central Anchorage, drive south on the New Seward Highway and exit for DeArmoun Road. Head east for 3.8 miles until the road becomes Upper DeArmoun; 0.6 miles later it becomes Canyon Road.
Veer right at the next intersection to stay on Canyon Road, which goes through several more name changes before becoming Upper Canyon Road. The Sunnyside Flattop trailhead is about 1,000 feet before the road dead-ends. Look for a pay station and small, dedicated parking area on the right; if all the spots are taken you’ll need to park off the side of the rough, rocky road.
Google Maps recognizes this trailhead as the “Flattop Sunnyside Trail” or the “Upper Rabbit Creek/Rabbit Lake Trailhead,” as the Rabbit Lake hike starts at the very end of the road.
Hiking the Sunnyside Flattop Trail
The Sunnyside Flattop trail is so straightforward — and beautifully constructed — that all you really have to do is spot its start on the left side of the road, about 1,000 feet before the road ends. A small sign on a post marks the start of the trail. From there, all you have to do is stay on the main trail as it switches back uphill on the way to a small saddle between Flattop, on your left, and the rocky comb of Peak 2 on your right.
You’ll also see a couple of obvious social trails heading off to the right toward the obvious, pointy summit of Peak 3, and in spring you can perch here to watch skiiers making the most of the snow lingering in the gully below Peak 3.
This is a well-known blueberry-picking destination in the fall, but because it is so popular the berries are quickly picked out.
Not the Best Winter Trail
Heads up: this trail has avalanche hazard during the winter. It’s worth getting a solid grounding in the basics of decision-making and risk factors in avalanche terrain before tackling this hike in the winter.
Which Flattop Trail Did You Want?
Heads up! If someone has discussed hiking Flattop with you, they might mean this Sunnyside Flattop trail, or they might mean the old front-side trail up Flattop. The two trails begin at different trailheads and don’t overlap at all until they converge at the top, so make sure you and your hiking buddies are all on the same page about which trail you’re taking.
Lisa Maloney
A long-time Alaskan, Lisa has written three award-winning guidebooks including "Day Hiking Southcentral Alaska" and "50 Hikes Around Anchorage." She also served as senior editor of Alaska magazine and has written hundreds of newspaper columns and magazine articles about her adventures around the state. Learn more about her at http://maloneywrites.com.
