Frequently asked questions

Ten Frequently Asked Questions/Adjustable Speed Photo Gallery

FAQ 1: CAN I DRIVE TO THE TRAILHEAD AND HIKE FLATTOP BY MYSELF? Yes. If you own, rented, or have a friend with a car, you don't need our service. Save money by driving to the trailhead yourself and hiking whenever you want. Don't forget to bring a $5 bill to pay the self-serve parking fee and avoid the risk of a $50 citation. Click here for complimentary directions on how to drive to and from Flattop.

FAQ 2: WHAT IS THE DEAL WITH THE ONE-WAY SHUTTLE WITH MY OWN BIKE? If you want to bike back into the city from the trailhead, here are six reasons to leave your car in the driveway and take the shuttle instead:
a) After biking down hill back into the city, you won't have to ask a friend to drive you back up to retrieve your car. (Or pedal up aptly-named Toilsome Drive.)

b) Avoid jockeying for one of the only 126 spots parking in the Glen Alps lot which overflows with cars on sunny evenings and weekends. (People who park on the road run the risk of a $200 citation.)

c) Preserve scarce spots in the lot for cars/drivers/hikers.
d) The cost of gas to drive many vehicles 2,200' up to the parking lot costs about the same as a one-way ticket (regularly $15) from downtown on the shuttle.

e) Avoid the wear and tear driving to and from the trailhead does to your vehicle's engine and brakes.

f) Relax and let someone else drive

FAQ 3: IS THERE A CANCELATION POLICY AND DO I NEED TO GIVE A DEPOSIT OR CREDIT CARD? No. To help keep this flexible policy, please call to cancel if your plans change. Everyone should check-in no later than 15 minutes before departure or they risk losing their seat if there is a waiting list. After checking-in and before we leave, we suggest taking the elevator in the parking garage across the street to the top floor and walk around for a great 360 degree view. Also, walk through the free exhibit of the 1964 Earthquake in the mall (4th Avenue Market Place) where our store is located.

FAQ 4: WHAT FOOTWEAR IS BEST FOR THIS HIKE? A hiking sneaker with good tread is best. A light hiking boot is also good. As you can see from the photos, this is a well-maintained trail with firm footing. Where it is steep, there are railroad tie steps and solid rock. Heavy hiking boots will really slow you down. Tennis shoes with no tread are a poor choice because you might slip. In May and early June, because the trail has some mud and snow patches, a hiking boot is better than a hiking sneaker.

FAQ 5: WHAT SHOULD I WEAR? Light layers that you can peel off as you heat up during the hike. We advise that you overpack, assess the weather and then, when you get to the trailhead, leave in the van what you don't need. Many people prepare for all kinds of horrible weather but when they get to the trailhead or once they start hiking, realize they overdressed. So, be prepared to shed down to shorts and a t-shirt. If you bring a wind/rain breaker and pants, you'll be likely be set.

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FAQ 6: CAN THE SHUTTLE PICK ME UP SOMEWHERE ELSE ON THE WAY UP TO THE MOUNTAIN? Perhaps. If you're staying in a mid-town we can pick you up at the fountain behind the Library on 36th between A and Denali. This is a pleasant spot to wait. Another pick up option is for people who rent bikes in the morning, ride the Coastal Trail, but don't have enough time to ride back downtown in time for the van's 1 p.m. departure. In this case, the van could take Minnesota Drive to Raspberry Rd and rendezvous with you at the Holiday gas station at Raspberry Road and Northwood Drive. After putting your bike on the back of the van (it holds up to four bikes), we're all off to the mountains.

FAQ 7: WILL YOU RUN CHARTER SHUTTLES AT DIFFERENT TIMES FOR A LARGE GROUP? Yes. Give us a call or send us an email and we'll try and work out a time.

FAQ 8: WHAT HAPPENS IF THE SHUTTLE SELLS OUT? First, we start a wait list and if someone who has signed-up doesn't show-up by 12:45, you may take their place. Second, we start taking names for second a shuttle that departs at 2:30 and returns at 6 p.m. Ten people (or alternatively $200 divided by the number of people who want to go) are required to run this second shuttle.

FAQ 9: ARE THERE OTHER WAYS TO GET TO AND FROM FLATTOP IF LESS THAN SEVEN PEOPLE SIGN UP? In addition to splitting the difference for the remaining seat(s) to equal the $140 cost the shuttle needs to run, there are at least five other ways to get to and from Flattop trailhead.

First: If there are 4-6 people wanting to do the Hike/Bike Combo, the Shuttle will bring you to the trailhead one way with your rental bike then promptly return downtown. Cost: $35 per person.

Second: If 1 to 3 people signed up and you're willing to cab up and ride a bike back, we'll introduce you to the others who want to do this too. You can split the $45 one-way cab fare and we'll rent you a bike for the discounted price of $15 (until 6 p.m.). We will help you load the 1-3 rental bikes in the cab and brief you on the return route. After the cab brings you to the trailhead, lock up the bikes and hike. After the hike, ride your rental bike downhill back into the city.

Third: Pay a taxi $45 to bring you to the trailhead and $45 to bring you back.

Fourth: Bike the 14 miles to the traihlead, hike then bike back. Biking to Flattop is very difficult because the elevation gain from downtown to the trailhead is 2,200 feet; most of it in the last four miles. (You need to be in great shape.)

Fifth: Bike 10 miles to the intersection of Hillside Drive and Upper Huffman then hold up a cardboard sign that we will give you that says "FLATTOP TRAILHEAD." Since many of the vehicles going to the trailhead are pickups and/or have bike racks, and because people who like to hike are friendly, it will probably take less than 10 minutes to get a lift for the last three (super steep) miles to the trailhead.

FAQ 10: HOW MANY DAYS A WEEK DO YOU GET ENOUGH PEOPLE TO SIGN UP AND RUN YOUR SHUTTLES? Unless it's raining, in June, July and August, the shuttle goes up almost every day. After Labor Day it's likely to run on weekends and perhaps only once or twice during one of the weekdays. The closer we get to winter, the less likely it is for the shuttle to run.

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