Elevation: 5,150 feet. A much-less-traveled and longer alternative directly across the valley from Flattop. It takes the average hiker 2.5 hours to summit and 1.5 hours to descend. If you've already hiked Flattop and want something different, O'Malley is your next best choice.

From the parking lot walk down either of the two trails between the caretaker's cabin and Flattop's introductory steps. The trails merge at the Powerline trail. Take a right. Take your first left off of the Powerline trail. Hike down, cross bridge, walk on boardwalk and then take a quick right on a narrow sometimes muddy trail. Shortly after taking this right, the trail curves and takes you where you wanted to go when looking up from below. When you summit the first ridgeline, take a right. Keep going.
 
As you can see from the pictures below, awesome views await. Monitor the clock and stick to the turnaround time so you get back to the shuttle on time. If you don't want to worry about time, the Hike/Bike Combo allows you to do both at your own pace.

The Flattop trailhead is halfway up the Powerline trail. For those who want to go up, this trail is the jumping-off point for numerous hikes on either side of the valley.  O'Malley Peak and Hidden Lake/Peak (below) are just two.

For those that want to go down, (almost always on a mountain bike) this trail will return you to Anchorage via Far North Bicentennial Park. Click here for Hike/Bike Combo.

If your knees can't handle hiking up and down mountains, this very wide and flat trail is a pleasant way to experience the Park.

The fourth Powerline Trail option offers a full day of strenuous adventure. Mountain bike up as far as you can (about 5 miles), than carry your bike the last leg up and over the pass. A technical, very steep descent into Indian Valley eventually brings you to scenic Turnagain Arm. (Another 6 miles.) After taking a right on the Seward hwy, it's about 20 miles back to Anchorage. Just past the old train engine, take a right on the Old Seward Hwy. This rural two-lane road on the east side of Potter Marsh gets you away from traffic. Take a left on Klatt road and a right on C St which has a bike path next to it. Ride C St all the way to downtown.

	Powerline Trail looking east or going up.  Bottom of Flattop's northern flank is on right. View
	On the right is the ridgeline leading to the second peak behind Flattop.  The Powerline trail heads up into the Chugach to the left far below. View
	North fork of Campbell Creek meanders in the bottom of valley next to Powerline Trail.  View from Flattop's north flank. View

After O'Malley Peak, the next hike down the Powerline Trail is to Hidden Lake (2 - 4 hours) and Hidden Peak (3-5 hours). Bike east counting 12 power poles (2 miles) then take a left on the trail that leads down to a bridge over a stream. Lock your bike to the bridge and start hiking. At first the trail is muddy but you can keep your feet dry by jumping from rock to rock. A well-developed trail quickly emerges from the tree line.  The first half of this hike has a moderate elevation gain.  After passing Hidden Lake it gets steep.  There's a field of big rocks.  Then there's a ridgeline.  When you reach the spot where it's too dangerous to continue, you can see the other side of the mountain.  A sheer cliff drops down and then spreads out into the heart of the Chugach.  Up here you'll likely be completley alone. To be on the safe side, borrow bear spray from the bike rental before leaving town.  (I didn't bring my camera on this hike last year so there are no pictures but I'll get some summer 2010.)  When you're done with your hike, reunite with your bike and ride it back on either of the three routes described in the Hike/Bike Combo.

	Â