Harp Mountain: You’ll huff, you’ll puff, and the amazing views are worth it
Harp Mountain, or just “Harp” as it’s often called, tops out at 5,001 feet in elevation. That, combined with a straightforward ascent that starts in the community of Eagle River, makes it the easiest — or at least the easiest to get to — 5,000-foot peak in Chugach State Park.
Don’t get me wrong: You’re going to have to work for the amazing views you get from Harp Mountain. But it’s worth the effort.
This is hike 38 in my guidebook Day Hiking Southcentral Alaska, and hike 36 in 50 Hikes Around Anchorage.
| Round Trip: 3.5 miles | Nearest community: Eagle River |
| Elevation gain: 2,650 feet | Typical season: June to October |
| Parking fee: No fee | Nearby trails: Rendezvous Peak, Rendezvous Ridge, Mount Gordon Lyon, Eagle and Symphony Lakes, Hanging Valley, Baldy and Blacktail Rocks, Barbara Falls |
Harp Mountain Trailhead Directions
From Anchorage, drive northeast on the Glenn Highway. Take the marked exit for Eagle River Loop Road/Hiland Road, turn right off the exit ramp, then turn right at the light for Hiland Road. Stay on Hiland as it changes named multiple times; the trailhead for Harp Mountain is at the end of the road. Trailhead parking is limited to a short stretch on the left as you pull in; please do not park in the cul-de-sac or on private property.
Hiking Harp Mountain
The trail starts at the far end of the cul-de-sac; look for a faint, hand-written sign pointing the way to a clear footpath on the left of the last house. The trail heads straight uphill, and you’ll be out of tree cover within just 0.1 mile or so. By 0.25 mile you’re above brushline, too, and can see the peak of Harp reigning like an emperor ahead of you, at the head of a ridge that contains three rocky false summits.
Don’t let those false summits dissuade you: Just put your head down and keep plugging uphill on the trail that is often dusty, sometimes rocky. All that grit in your teeth comes with a tangible reward, though: The incredibly views that start unfurling almost immediately as you climb.
My personal meter for when a hike crosses over from “steep” to “very steep” is if it gains more than 1,000 vertical feet per mile hiked. The hike up Harp definitely qualifies, gaining a total of 2,650 vertical feet in just 1.75 miles to the peak — so don’t be shy about taking time to rest along the way.
Photos From Harp Mountain
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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.
