There’s a Butte, specifically the Bodenberg Butte, in Alaska. It sits north of Anchorage in the Mat-Su Valley, and it makes for a lovely, steep hike and a really good spot on top from which to get some spectacular views of the mountain ranges, river valleys, and glaciers that surround it.

The above and below pictures show Bodenberg Butte in the foreground with Pioneer Peak towering behind.

This picture includes the Matanuska River curving in front.

Here’s a primer on how the Ice Age glaciers formed the region and the Butte.

Here’s a map detail of the region. The red marker points at Pioneer Peak. Matanuska River ambles along Route 1.

First some pics on our drive to the Butte. Byers Peak AKA Matanuska Peak is up ahead.

I believe this pic is of the Lazy Mountain. Ed is less certain…

Much of the hike up the Butte entails steep steps like these.

Pioneer Peak

On top of the Butte

Ed with the Matanuska Peak range behind him. But just for his sake we’ll think of it as Byers Peak, its retired name, since Byers is Ed’s middle name.

In the back let is Knik Glacier.

Knick Glacier

See the plane?

Another view of the Butte.

Some more view of the valley, now by the Matanuska River.