The Chugach mountain range surrounds the east and runs south of Anchorage. Much of the mountain area has been designated as a state park with numerous hiking trails that are easily accessible and well maintained. The most highly recommended trail by the locals is Flat Top Mountain which provides a beautiful view of Anchorage and Cook Inlet. It snowed up in the mountains during the night before we decided to hike the Flat Top trail which started above the snow line!
The trail starts with an easy loop around a knob with a saddle at the half way point where you can branch off on the trail to the peak. Coming around the bend to the saddle, the peak doesn't look like its that far or that high but its another 2.5 miles and at an altitude of 3500 feet.
The views from the trail were spectacular even with an overcast day (as usual). In the right middle section of this picture, you can see Cook Inlet which is south of Anchorage.