Flat Top and Blueberry Hill (Anchorage)
continue up the well established trail to Flat Top peak. This is likely the most hiked trail and mountain and Alaska, so expect to see many people and have a few spectators surrounding your launch. This is where you perfect kiting and launching skills come in handy as the launch on top can be quite rocky and tricky, depending on wind direction. Works Best When: Flying is good with North, Northwest winds. The LZ can be either at the bottom of the immediate hill or to the small gravel pad on the North end of the Glenn Alps Parking Lot. Although the South side of Blueberry Hill is very launchable there is no established LZ. A south wind launch from the back side
of Flat Top is possible, but it is quite a shallow sloped launch (strong
running skills are a must). West wind is favored
and north winds will have you cross wind launching or 1000’ cliff launching
the north side (NOT recommended!). For best thermal potential, look for a late
summer afternoon with moderate cumies and a light SW wind. Fly from Flat Top
and look for thermals off of Blueberry Hill. Requirements: The
Arctic Air Walkers pays annual fees to insure this site through USHGA.
Contact an Arctic Air Walkers member for information on how to join
the club. Potential Hazards:
From the Seward highway, take O'Malley exit
east. Turn right on Hillside then left (east) at Upper Huffman. Right
at Y, up steep hill, follow road to Glen Alps trail head parking lot
($5/day fee required) and hike a short 15 minutes south east up a well-maintained
path to launch Blueberry hill. About five minute into the hike the
scrubby trees give way for the LZ. Flat Top is about a 45 minute hike.
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