Mount Gordon Lyon: That pretty mountain near Rendezvous Peak

If you’ve ever looked north from Rendezvous Peak and wondered “What’s that mountain,” you were probably looking at Mount Gordon Lyon. (If you were looking northwest and wondering about the white structures atop a neighboring peak, that is the Nike Site Summit.)

The trip up Mount Gordon Lyon is actually a wonderful, moderate hike — a great second peak to bag if you’ve made Rendezvous Peak your first. I’m not sure why fewer people make the trek up Mount Gordon Lyon, but that leaves it as a nice refuge from the relative crowding of the lower valley.

This hike crosses land in Arctic Valley Ski Area, so for obvious reasons it is summer-only for hikers.

This is hike 40 in my guidebook Day Hiking Southcentral Alaska, and hike 30 in 50 Hikes Around Anchorage.

Hiking Mount Gordon Lyon

Anyway, back to Mount Gordon Lyon. Somehow, Rendezvous Peak has always seemed like the most popular and well-traveled of these neighboring mountains, even though Mount Gordon Lyon is a mere 90 feet higher. If Rendezvous Peak is a great first summit then Gordon Lyon is a fantastic second climb, and I encourage you to check it out. The ascent is very straightforward: Take the main trail up the valley to the obvious saddle, then turn left to ascend Mount Gordon Lyon via a well-worn footpath.

You’ll know you’ve hit the summit 4,105-foot summit when you achieve glorious views in every direction. If that sounds imposing, don’t worry. The drive up handles most of the elevation gain, so your legs only have to manage some 1,500 feet more. That’s why I’ve tagged this as an “easy summit.”

Mount Gordon Lyon Trailhead Directions

Take the Glenn Highway northeast from Anchorage. After about two miles, take the signed exit for Arctic Valley. Continue straight on this road through a golf course, through a gate that is closed at 10 p.m., and finally over about 6 miles of unpaved washboard to reach Arctic Valley Ski Area. I recommend parking in the upper parking area (on the left as you drive in) to be close to the actual trailhead.

Please be aware that the access road crosses military land, and that the ski area borders on military land. There are fines for trespassing and access may occasionally be closed if the military is conducting maneuvers/exercises in this area.