Flat Top is great just because its so close to my house-15 minutes. And variations are easy to stay away from the crowds if desired. But Flat Top REALLY is great during the winter. My toughest Flat Top hike by far was Thanksgiving morning last year. I didn't take Katoohlas because there wasn't much snow and the rocks were icy. It was scary coming down.
Complete bummer about Denali this summer. We had a beautiful summer with so much sun. You must have been very unlucky.
We visited Wrangell Elias Labor Day weekend for the first time. First getting there was quite a trek. A nine hour drive with the last 60 miles on a tough dirt road taking 3 hours. Camped right on the river outside McCarthy and visited Kennecott Mine. Also got a whitewater trip in and swam (in a drysuit) in a glacier lake.
Regarding the two polar bears up on the hill. Some may argue that they are goats or dall sheep.
I've only lived here in Alaska 20 months and there is still so much to do. Glad you were able to enjoy it for a bit this summer.
