3000 Feet Closer: Gold Star Peak Hike

For the last three years, KUIU has joined the Three Rangers Foundation and the Gold Star Peak non-profit groups to host an annual event to climb Alaska’s famed Gold Star Peak with some of the Ranger Regiments Gold Star family members. These families made the journey to the Chugach Mountains of Alaska to spend a week touring the state and capped it off with a climb to the top to honor their loved ones at the memorial site. At the top of the 4,148-ft summit, is a multitude of monuments honoring military members across all branches of service and campaigns. The center piece and focal point of these monuments is a metal structure built to hold and display the dog tags of these honored veterans. The monument is four sided, one facing each of the cardinal directions. It features 21 circular rings going up to symbolize the 21-gun salute. It is topped with a Gold Star, the national symbol and name’s sake for the sacrifice made in military service. Surrounding it are other monuments of all sizes representing various units and conflicts. One of the most truly amazing sites on top are all the countless personal, handmade mementos and tributes left by friends and families of the service members who have made the climb to pay tribute to their fallen heroes.