Solstice: Flattop at 10:04 p.m. Monday with still-bright sunlight reflecting off its rocks.

Summer solstice came and went on Monday.

It would be hard to imagine a better first day of summer in Alaska than yesterday. The sun was shining, the temperatures were warm, the smell of lilacs was in the air.

It was truly an awesome day.

For many, solstice offered the chance to journey to the top of Flattop, Alaska’s most-hiked peak. I did that once. It’s not for me. I love hiking, I love being in the mountains and, honestly, I love Flattop for a quick trip up and down.

Solstice: The Kay Linton Memorial Fountain at the Loussac Library in Anchorage on summer solstice. The fountain was spitting water high in the air, a perfect scene in summer. Visit the fountain in the winter and you'll see artist Carl Nesjar's creation as he intended it -- covered with ice and bathed in colorful light.

But following dozens of others up the mountain step after step only to enjoy the “wilderness” with a couple hundred people – I’ll pass.

I did, however, enjoy Flattop on solstice. I had a great view of it from my deck at about 10 p.m. when the mountain was backed by heavy clouds but the still-high-above-the-horizon sun cast some bright light on the peak.

Maybe I’ll hike it tonight or tomorrow when it’s not quite so popular.

--Steve