Mount POW/MIA facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mount POW/MIA |
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 Mount POW/MIA
Location in Alaska
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 4,280 feet (1,300 m)+ |
| Geography | |
| Location | Anchorage Municipality, Alaska, U.S. |
| Parent range | Chugach Mountains |
| Topo map | USGS Anchorage B-6 |
| Climbing | |
| Easiest route | From the south side |
Mount POW/MIA is a special mountain in Alaska. It's named to honor all soldiers who were Prisoners of War (POW) or Missing in Action (MIA). This means soldiers who were captured or whose whereabouts are unknown.
The mountain is located in Chugach State Park, near Eklutna Lake. A special POW/MIA flag flies at the top of Mount POW/MIA. Students from the Local Colony Army JROTC program replace this flag every year during Memorial Day weekend in May. The black and white flag was created by a group called the National League of Families of American Prisoners and Missing in Southeast Asia. It has even flown at the White House.
Why is Mount POW/MIA important?
This mountain was once known as Anvil Peak. It was renamed thanks to the efforts of John Morrissey. He was a Vietnam War veteran from New York. John Morrissey and another veteran, Leo Kaye, wanted the mountain to be a monument. They wanted it to honor all American soldiers who were POWs or MIAs in past and future conflicts.
At that time, over 800,000 soldiers were still listed as POW/MIA. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) officially named the mountain on Veterans Day in 1999. This made it a lasting tribute to these brave soldiers. John Morrissey passed away in 2007. His ashes were brought to rest on the mountain in June 2008.
Climbing Mount POW/MIA
We don't know who first climbed Mount POW/MIA. But Steve Wilson and Wayne Todd recorded their climb on July 19, 1997. They found a small pile of rocks, called a cairn, already at the top. In May 1999, the Colony JROTC also climbed the mountain.
After the mountain was officially named in 1999, it became the largest natural "Living Monument" in the world. You can easily see Mount POW/MIA from the Alaska Veterans Wall in Palmer, Alaska. This wall is near the Glenn Highway/Parks Highway Interchange.
The hike up Mount POW/MIA is considered moderate. It usually takes about 2 to 6 hours to complete. You can climb the mountain any time of year. However, the best time to go is between May and August. If you climb early in the season, you might be able to glissade down a snowfield. This means sliding down the snow on your feet or bottom, which can be a lot of fun!
There is an unofficial trail that starts near mile 5 on the north side of the Eklutna Lake road. There isn't a specific parking lot at the trailhead. The best place to park is a small pullout around mile 4.5.
