Government Peak

Published on 2025-8-5 by Michael Stanton

After running an errand with Tamara in the morning, I had some time for a hike. I'd seen a mountain called Government Peak on the map behind Wasilla which looked doable. I drove up to the parking lot, paid a fee, then hiked up, first to a sub-peak called Blueberry Hill. The trail was steep, and pretty brushy from the Hill until gaining the East Ridge proper. Grand views everywhere!

On the way up the east ridge...

Approaching Blueberry Hill

Looking down the east ridge, with a couple descending

Still a good ways to go...

Pretty soon the brush decreased, the trail steepened, and the wind picked up, adding an alpine flavor to the day.

Looking down to the north side of the peak

Views from the East Ridge into the Susitna Valley

At the top there was a little building with solar panels and views in every direction. It is enough to give you "peak fever," there are so many other goals to attain here.

Pano-rama from the summit

Another summit picture

On the way down I took the South Ridge, which got quite steep in the lower part. Here I ran into a guy who suggested a hike up Matanuska Peak, a tougher hike, visible off to the east. I half-planned to do that Thursday, but the weather was bad then, and I was a bit tired from the big day on Wednesday when we did a boat tour out of Seward. It'll have to be next time!