Mount POW/MIA

Mount POW/MIA is a peak in the Chugach Mountains located between Lake Barbara and Wasilla in southern Alaska. The summit stands at approximately 1,300 meters and sits entirely within Chugach State Park.

The mountain received its official name on Veterans Day in 1999 through the efforts of Vietnam veteran John Morrissey and veterans advocate Leo Kaye. This naming was a deliberate act of honoring prisoners of war and those missing in action.

A POW/MIA flag stands at the summit as a tribute to service members captured or lost during conflict. Visitors encounter this symbol when they reach the top, transforming the peak into a place of remembrance.

The hike takes between two to six hours depending on fitness and conditions. The best climbing season runs from May through August when weather is most favorable.

The Colony Army JROTC program conducts annual flag replacement ceremonies during Memorial weekend at the summit. This ongoing ritual keeps the memorial active and ensures the tribute remains fresh in the community's awareness.

Location: Alaska

Elevation above the sea: 1,291 m

GPS coordinates: 61.44558,-149.19996

Latest update: December 14, 2025 12:22