Climb Atop The Donnelly Dome For Breathtaking Views Of The Alaska Range
By Megan McDonald
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Published July 07, 2020
If you want spectacular views of our majestic Alaska Range, the Donnelly Dome trail right outside of Fort Greely, Alaska offers some of the best vistas around. A relatively quick hike, this straightforward trail brings you up above the surrounding area to offer panoramic views.
If you have a morning free and you’d like to stretch your legs, drive on out to Dome Road for a hike that will take your breath away.
This hike summits Donnelly Dome and offers beautiful views of the Alaska Range and surrounding areas. It’s an easy, well marked hike with a huge payoff!
Donnelly Dome is actually what’s called a fleigberg.
A fleigberg is a "mountain overcome by ice." This dome was once under a glacier, but due to a weird circumstance of events, it did not get sheared off from the glacier that once filled this valley. Now it sticks out, a lone mountain in an otherwise flat area.
The dome stretches 2,400 feet above ground level.
The hike you’ll take will be a straightforward, out back hike. You’ll travel 2.7 miles over 1,489 feet of elevation.
The trail breaks through brush before getting above tree line, so wearing long pants is helpful.
After the brush you’ll start to see wildflowers that dot the trail as you ascend. The trail can be a little rocky, so sturdy shoes are recommended.
The views of the Alaska Range when you reach the top are absolutely stunning.
On a clear day the vista is unlike anywhere else in Alaska! And the hike to get there is a fun, relatively easy adventure.
The turnoff for this trail is on Mile 248.
Follow the road for 300 yards, and park in the pull off. There’s a well worn trail that leads off in the direction of the dome.
If you want to hike this great trail, you’ll have to get your USARTRAK permit.
It’s owned by the military, so this permit is a necessity. However, it’s free to get and good for up to two years of use. You can sign up for your pass
HERE .
Have you ever hiked Donnelly Dome? What did you think? Were the views amazing? Let us know in the comments below!
If you’re interested in learning more about the Donnelly Dome area, check out The Ancient Secrets of Alaska Are Just Now Coming to The Surface.
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Richardson Hwy, Fort Greely, AK 99731, USA