POW/MIA Peak is a 4.6 mile moderately trafficked out and back trail located near Chugiak, Alaska that offers the chance to see wildlife and is rated as difficult. The trail is primarily used for hiking and is best used from May until October. Dogs are also able to use this trail.
Chugach State Park charges a $5 daily parking fee. You can also purchase an annual parking pass for $60. This is a really steep trail that goes up to some incredible views. It's called POW/MIA because there is a memorial on the peak to honor soldiers who were prisoners of war or missing in action. Note that the ridge at the top has two high points. One is called Gold Star Peak and there is a memorial there, too. You need to continue on for about 1/3 mile further to reach the true summit of POW/MIA with a flag flying and incredible views of Twin Peaks. Note also that you only want to do this hike when trails are dry. It would be almost impossible to climb parts of the trail if they were wet with mud. And, there would be no point in going if the mountain was covered with clouds. You can't park at the trailhead itself. You need to park in a pullout either 1/ 2mile before or 1/2 mile after the actual trailhead. There are numbered power poles along the road. You can park at power pole #74. That's where the route starts on the map. The climb off the road begins at power pole #85.
November 14, 2020October 28, 2020
October 24, 2020Very Windy!! pelted with ice, snow, and debris. didn't need microspikes but they could help in spots. seen goats, ptarmigan and spruce hens
October 13, 2020Beautiful trail, do not underestimate it though. Vertical climb basically the entire time. Snowed on the way down so it made for some slippery muddy trails so be careful.
October 13, 2020Hiked over from the Gold Star Peak next to it. Great conditions. No snow yet on the peak.
October 10, 2020October 1, 2020Hiked on 9-21-20 and it was awesome! Amazing views including wildlife on the mountain. Trail was kind of slippery from rain for the first bit but quickly dried out. Gold Star Peak and POW/MIA are awesome tributes. I highly recommend the hike.
September 8, 2020It was incredible! Very short and steep climb from the start. I never seen so much color in my life. The tundra has already turned into red flowers. September hikes are my favorite and this one made the list. Beautiful scenery and especially commemorative POW/MIA summit was moving.
August 30, 2020Great trail, windy and cold at the top, a bit windy and chilly on the top, but amazing views with Denali in the distance
August 8, 2020It’s steep pretty much the whole way. You’ll get a work out. There is some shale so be careful not to let it slide under your feet. All in all a great hike! I’ve done this hike several times. It’s one of my favs. The views are spectacular! Mid August when the fireweed is like 10’ high is one of my favorite times a year to do this one. Be sure to sign the register at the top of GoldStar peak.
July 31, 2020This hike is great. It has great views. This trail however is very steep, it is straight up which is fine but it then means that it is straight down which in my opinion is much harder on the knees. There is also not really much of a trail once you start climbing the mountain. Just go in the general direction of up and left. Finding the trailhead is easy if you know where to go. You park on the side of the road and walk to telephone pole number 85, then you look for a flag and away you go. Once you get to gold star memorial it is a very short jaunt to the POW/MIA summit.
July 15, 2020
First to ReviewThis is a really steep trail that goes up to some incredible views. It's called POW/MIA because there is a memorial on the peak to honor soldiers who were prisoners of war or missing in action. Not that the ridge at the top has two high points. One is called Gold Star Peak and there is a memorial there, too. You need to continue on for about 1/3 mile further to reach the true summit of POW/MIA with a flag flying and incredible views of Twin Peaks. Note also that you only want to do this kike when trails are dry. It would be almost impossible to climb parts of the trail if they were wet with mud. And, there would be no point in going if the mountain was covered with clouds. Regarding parking. You can't park at the trailhead itself, You need to park in a pullout either 1/ 2mile before or 1/2 mile after the actual trailhead. There are numbered power poles along the road. We parked in the pullout before the trailhead, at power pole #74. That's where the route starts on the map. The climb off the road begins at power pole #85
September 10, 2020September 8, 2020September 5, 2020September 5, 2020August 30, 2020August 21, 2020August 14, 2020August 13, 2020August 13, 2020August 5, 2020July 23, 2020July 23, 2020May 20, 2020May 14, 2020July 13, 2019May 27, 2019May 20, 2019May 28, 2018
