{"id":9945,"date":"2025-07-04T22:59:29","date_gmt":"2025-07-04T14:59:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.huangyizhou.com\/?p=9945"},"modified":"2025-12-15T05:47:40","modified_gmt":"2025-12-14T21:47:40","slug":"20250704gold-star","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.huangyizhou.com\/index.php\/2025\/07\/04\/20250704gold-star\/","title":{"rendered":"Day 6 of 2025 Independence Day Trip to Alaska, Gold Star Peak and Mt POW"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>The sixth day of my 2025 Independence Day trip to Alaska. I hiked to Gold Star Peak and Mt POW, a less demanding neighbor to the East Twin Peak which I climbed two days ago, with similar views of Mat-Su Valley and Eklutna Lake.<\/p>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/DSC_5815.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/thumbnails\/DSC_5815.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains to the East of Mt POW\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Mountains to the East of Mt POW<\/br><\/p>\n<div style=\"font-size: smaller;text-align: left\">Matanuska Peak, Pioneer Peak and Twin Peaks, three of the most exciting peaks that I had climbed in Alaska in one frame.<\/div>\n<p><\/p><\/div>\n<p><script src=\"\/wp-content\/themes\/splide.min.2.4.21.js\"><\/script>\n<link rel=\"stylesheet\" href=\"\/wp-content\/themes\/splide-skyblue.min.css\">\n<script>\ndocument.addEventListener( 'DOMContentLoaded', function () {\n\tvar secondarySlider1 = new Splide( '#splide-thumb-1', {\n\t\tfixedWidth:100,height:133,gap:9,\n\t\tfocus:'center',keyboard:'focused',\n\t\tcover:true,isNavigation:true,\n\t\tbreakpoints :{'600':{fixedWidth:42,height:56,pagination:false,arrows:false,gap:5,}},\n\t} ).mount();\n\tvar primarySlider1 = new Splide( '#splide-major-1', {\n\t\ttype:'fade',pagination:false,arrows:false,\n\t} );\n\tprimarySlider1.sync( secondarySlider1 ).mount();\n\tvar secondarySlider2 = new Splide( '#splide-thumb-2', {\n\t\tfixedWidth:100,height:75,gap:10,\n\t\tfocus:'center',keyboard:'focused',\n\t\tcover:true,isNavigation:true,\n\t\tbreakpoints :{'600':{fixedWidth:56,height:42,pagination:false,arrows:false,gap:5,}},\n\t} ).mount();\n\tvar primarySlider2 = new Splide( '#splide-major-2', {\n\t\ttype:'fade',pagination:false,arrows:false,\n\t} );\n\tprimarySlider2.sync( secondarySlider2 ).mount();\n\tvar secondarySlider3 = new Splide( '#splide-thumb-3', {\n\t\tfixedWidth:100,height:75,gap:10,\n\t\tfocus:'center',keyboard:'focused',\n\t\tcover:true,isNavigation:true,\n\t\tbreakpoints :{'600':{fixedWidth:56,height:42,pagination:false,arrows:false,gap:5,}},\n\t} ).mount();\n\tvar primarySlider3 = new Splide( '#splide-major-3', {\n\t\ttype:'fade',pagination:false,arrows:false,\n\t} );\n\tprimarySlider3.sync( secondarySlider3 ).mount();\n\tvar secondarySlider4 = new Splide( '#splide-thumb-4', {\n\t\tfixedWidth:100,height:67,gap:10,\n\t\tfocus:'center',keyboard:'focused',\n\t\tcover:true,isNavigation:true,\n\t\tbreakpoints :{'600':{fixedWidth:57,height:38,pagination:false,arrows:false,gap:5,}},\n\t} ).mount();\n\tvar primarySlider4 = new Splide( '#splide-major-4', {\n\t\ttype:'fade',pagination:false,arrows:false,\n\t} );\n\tprimarySlider4.sync( secondarySlider4 ).mount();\n\tvar secondarySlider5 = new Splide( '#splide-thumb-5', {\n\t\tfixedWidth:100,height:67,gap:10,\n\t\tfocus:'center',keyboard:'focused',\n\t\tcover:true,isNavigation:true,\n\t\tbreakpoints :{'600':{fixedWidth:57,height:38,pagination:false,arrows:false,gap:5,}},\n\t} ).mount();\n\tvar primarySlider5 = new Splide( '#splide-major-5', {\n\t\ttype:'fade',pagination:false,arrows:false,\n\t} );\n\tprimarySlider5.sync( secondarySlider5 ).mount();\n\tvar secondarySlider6 = new Splide( '#splide-thumb-6', {\n\t\tfixedWidth:100,height:69,gap:10,\n\t\tfocus:'center',keyboard:'focused',\n\t\tcover:true,isNavigation:true,\n\t\tbreakpoints :{'600':{fixedWidth:57,height:38,pagination:false,arrows:false,gap:5,}},\n\t} ).mount();\n\tvar primarySlider6 = new Splide( '#splide-major-6', {\n\t\ttype:'fade',pagination:false,arrows:false,\n\t} );\n\tprimarySlider6.sync( secondarySlider6 ).mount();\n\tvar secondarySlider7 = new Splide( '#splide-thumb-7', {\n\t\tfixedWidth:100,height:67,gap:10,\n\t\tfocus:'center',keyboard:'focused',\n\t\tcover:true,isNavigation:true,\n\t\tbreakpoints :{'600':{fixedWidth:57,height:38,pagination:false,arrows:false,gap:5,}},\n\t} ).mount();\n\tvar primarySlider7 = new Splide( '#splide-major-7', {\n\t\ttype:'fade',pagination:false,arrows:false,\n\t} );\n\tprimarySlider7.sync( secondarySlider7 ).mount();\n} );\n<\/script><\/p>\n<p><!--more--><\/p>\n<p>Yesterday, I opted for a <del>leisurely<\/del> kayaking trip on Eklutna Lake to give my weary legs some respite after a a grueling hike of East Twin Peak a day prior. However, while packing up the kayak, I inadvertently left my sandals in the parking lot, which I didn&#8217;t find out until reaching my Palmer Airbnb that evening.<br \/>\nHaving successfully climbed East Twin Peak, which was the highlight of my week-long Alaska trip, I had intended to spend today and tomorrow on gentler hikes. However, not wanting to bear the guilt of leaving behind plastic waste, I decided to make a detour to Eklutna Lake&#8217;s parking lot and make sure they are either retrieved or disposed of. Since Eklunta Lake was located quite out of the way, I decided to explore Gold Star Peak and Mt POW today, whose trailhead conveniently shared the same access road as Eklutna Lake, hence minimizing unnecessary driving and making the most of my time.<\/p>\n<p>There was no parking spaces at the &#8220;actual&#8221; trailhead of Gold Star Peak \/ Mt POW. Instead, a turnout 800m (0.5mi) up the road served as the de-facto trailhead. Today was July 4th, Independence Day, hence the turnout was full, with people paying respect to fallen soldiers. <\/p>\n<p>As a sidenote, four years ago, also on Independence Day, I successfully summitted South Pioneer Peak, an imposing mountain that still held my personal record for the most elevation gain in a single day. From today&#8217;s intended peaks, I could see that very same summit standing proudly just a short distance away. Now, four years later, I returned to Alaska with plans to tackle East Twin Peak, which would be my first YDS class 4 mountain. Based on the weather forecasts available earlier in the week, I had chosen to attempt that ascent two days prior. In hindsight, had I saved East Twin Peak for today, I would have been rewarded with far superior conditions: nearly perfect visibility revealing the full panorama of snow-capped peaks, rather than the transient clouds I had battled through during my earlier attempt.<\/p>\n<p>I arrived at the roadside turnout at 11:20am, and after some warmup, started my hike at 11:33am. The walk along the road only lasted for about 10 minutes, before I entered the woods and the proper hiking experience began.<br \/>\nHere&#8217;s <\/p>\n<div class=\"mobile-hide\" style=\"width:100%;aspect-ratio:6\/5;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" frameBorder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" src=\"https:\/\/www.wikiloc.com\/wikiloc\/spatialArtifacts.do?event=view&#038;id=243823226&#038;measures=on&#038;title=off&#038;near=off&#038;images=off&#038;maptype=H\" width=\"100%\" height=\"100%\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<div class=\"desktop-hide\" style=\"width:100%;aspect-ratio:3\/5;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" frameBorder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" src=\"https:\/\/www.wikiloc.com\/wikiloc\/spatialArtifacts.do?event=view&#038;id=243823226&#038;measures=on&#038;title=off&#038;near=off&#038;images=off&#038;maptype=H\" width=\"100%\" height=\"100%\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<p>S tracking:<\/p>\n<p>Upon leaving the road, the entire hike naturally divided itself into three segments of roughly equal lengths, separated by two distinct turns. One thing was consistent, it was a very steep climb throughout.<br \/>\nThe segment started out in the woods, which gradually transitioned to dense thickets of bush. It was a hot day by Alaskan standards, climbing through the steep terrain, I was sweating heavily in the woods (for a brief moment, I worried that I didn&#8217;t carry enough water.) Luckily, winds picked up at higher elevation, delivering a most welcomed and cooling breeze.<\/p>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-major-1\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/20250704_162945.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/thumbnails\/20250704_162945.jpg\" alt=\"Steep Trail\" \/><\/a><\/br>Steep Trail<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/20250704_115059.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/thumbnails\/20250704_115059.jpg\" width=\"95.7%\" alt=\"Tree along Trail\" \/><\/a><\/br>Tree along Trail<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Looked like a tuning fork.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/20250704_114914.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/thumbnails\/20250704_114914.jpg\" alt=\"Flower\" \/><\/a><\/br>Flower<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/20250704_160715.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/thumbnails\/20250704_160715.jpg\" alt=\"Steep Trail\" \/><\/a><\/br>Steep Trail<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-thumb-1\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/thumbnails-s\/20250704_162945.jpg\" alt=\"Steep Trail\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/thumbnails-s\/20250704_115059.jpg\" alt=\"Tree along Trail\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/thumbnails-s\/20250704_114914.jpg\" alt=\"Flower\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/thumbnails-s\/20250704_160715.jpg\" alt=\"Steep Trail\" \/><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><noscript><br \/>\nJavascript not enabled, unable to display slideshow.<\/p>\n<style type=\"text\/css\">\n#splide-major-1, #splide-thumb-1 { display:none; }\n<\/style>\n<details>\n<summary>Click here to display photos of the slideshow<\/summary>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/20250704_162945.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/thumbnails\/20250704_162945.jpg\" alt=\"Steep Trail\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Steep Trail<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/20250704_115059.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/thumbnails\/20250704_115059.jpg\" alt=\"Tree along Trail\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Tree along Trail<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Looked like a tuning fork.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/20250704_114914.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/thumbnails\/20250704_114914.jpg\" alt=\"Flower\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Flower<\/p><\/div>\n<p><div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/20250704_160715.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/thumbnails\/20250704_160715.jpg\" alt=\"Steep Trail\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Steep Trail<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<\/details>\n<p><\/noscript><\/p>\n<p>Immediately upon leaving the woods, brief portions of the trail were overgrown. After a slight right turn, the second trail segment opened into a typical alpine hiking experience, with destination (Gold Star Peak) in view and Kink Arm gradually revealing itself above the ridgeline in the background.<\/p>\n<p>At the second turn of the trail, I was greeted with the first glimpse of Eklutna Lake and the snowy mountains surrounding it, together with an improvised bench to rest my legs. From that point on, the final segment of the trail was pleasantly manageable, occasionally rocky but never technical.<\/p>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-major-2\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/20250704_115830.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/thumbnails\/20250704_115830.jpg\" alt=\"Overgrown Trail\" \/><\/a><\/br>Overgrown Trail<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/20250704_162001.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/thumbnails\/20250704_162001.jpg\" alt=\"Trail\" \/><\/a><\/br>Trail<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/20250704_155100.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/thumbnails\/20250704_155100.jpg\" alt=\"Trail to Gold Star Peak\" \/><\/a><\/br>Trail to Gold Star Peak<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/20250704_155345.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/thumbnails\/20250704_155345.jpg\" alt=\"Gold Star Peak\" \/><\/a><\/br>Gold Star Peak<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/20250704_124551.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/thumbnails\/20250704_124551.jpg\" alt=\"Trail through Steep Fields\" \/><\/a><\/br>Trail through Steep Fields<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/20250704_152519.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/thumbnails\/20250704_152519.jpg\" alt=\"Trail through Steep Fields\" \/><\/a><\/br>Trail through Steep Fields<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/20250704_152309.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/thumbnails\/20250704_152309.jpg\" alt=\"Trail to Gold Star Peak\" \/><\/a><\/br>Trail to Gold Star Peak<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/20250704_151348.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/thumbnails\/20250704_151348.jpg\" alt=\"Flowers along Trail\" \/><\/a><\/br>Flowers along Trail<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/20250704_154847.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/thumbnails\/20250704_154847.jpg\" alt=\"Flowers along Trail\" \/><\/a><\/br>Flowers along Trail<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-thumb-2\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/thumbnails-s\/20250704_115830.jpg\" alt=\"Overgrown Trail\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/thumbnails-s\/20250704_162001.jpg\" alt=\"Trail\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/thumbnails-s\/20250704_155100.jpg\" alt=\"Trail to Gold Star Peak\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/thumbnails-s\/20250704_155345.jpg\" alt=\"Gold Star Peak\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/thumbnails-s\/20250704_124551.jpg\" alt=\"Trail through Steep Fields\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/thumbnails-s\/20250704_152519.jpg\" alt=\"Trail through Steep Fields\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/thumbnails-s\/20250704_152309.jpg\" alt=\"Trail to Gold Star Peak\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/thumbnails-s\/20250704_151348.jpg\" alt=\"Flowers along Trail\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/thumbnails-s\/20250704_154847.jpg\" alt=\"Flowers along Trail\" \/><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><noscript><br \/>\nJavascript not enabled, unable to display slideshow.<\/p>\n<style type=\"text\/css\">\n#splide-major-2, #splide-thumb-2 { display:none; }\n<\/style>\n<details>\n<summary>Click here to display photos of the slideshow<\/summary>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/20250704_115830.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/thumbnails\/20250704_115830.jpg\" alt=\"Overgrown Trail\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Overgrown Trail<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/20250704_162001.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/thumbnails\/20250704_162001.jpg\" alt=\"Trail\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Trail<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/20250704_155100.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/thumbnails\/20250704_155100.jpg\" alt=\"Trail to Gold Star Peak\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Trail to Gold Star Peak<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/20250704_155345.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/thumbnails\/20250704_155345.jpg\" alt=\"Gold Star Peak\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Gold Star Peak<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/20250704_124551.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/thumbnails\/20250704_124551.jpg\" alt=\"Trail through Steep Fields\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Trail through Steep Fields<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/20250704_152519.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/thumbnails\/20250704_152519.jpg\" alt=\"Trail through Steep Fields\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Trail through Steep Fields<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/20250704_152309.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/thumbnails\/20250704_152309.jpg\" alt=\"Trail to Gold Star Peak\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Trail to Gold Star Peak<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/20250704_151348.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/thumbnails\/20250704_151348.jpg\" alt=\"Flowers along Trail\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Flowers along Trail<\/p><\/div>\n<p><div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/20250704_154847.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/thumbnails\/20250704_154847.jpg\" alt=\"Flowers along Trail\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Flowers along Trail<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<\/details>\n<p><\/noscript><\/p>\n<p>In the end, I reached Gold Star Peak at 1:36pm, where I was greeted by a breathtaking panorama dominated by Eklutna Lake and the majestic Twin Peaks. The sky stretched endlessly clear, not a single cloud marring the pristine splendor of the mountains below, while the towering Twin Peaks rose magnificently before me. As I took in this spectacular vista, I couldn&#8217;t help but reflect wistfully on my ascent of East Twin Peak two days prior\u2014how I had longed then for such crystalline clarity and unobstructed views as I now enjoyed.<\/p>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-major-3\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/DSC_5803.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/thumbnails\/DSC_5803.jpg\" alt=\"Bold Peak and Bashful Peak over Eklutna Lake\" \/><\/a><\/br>Bold Peak and Bashful Peak over Eklutna Lake<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/DSC_5809.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/thumbnails\/DSC_5809.jpg\" alt=\"Snowy Mountains around Eklutna Lake\" \/><\/a><\/br>Snowy Mountains around Eklutna Lake<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/DSC_5804.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/thumbnails\/DSC_5804.jpg\" alt=\"Twin Peaks\" \/><\/a><\/br>Twin Peaks<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/20250704_135055.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/thumbnails\/20250704_135055.jpg\" width=\"89.05%\" alt=\"Trail to Mt POW\" \/><\/a><\/br>Trail to Mt POW<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/20250704_133528.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/thumbnails\/20250704_133528.jpg\" width=\"50%\" alt=\"Memorial on Gold Star Mountain\" \/><\/a><\/br>Memorial on Gold Star Mountain<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-thumb-3\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_5803.jpg\" alt=\"Bold Peak and Bashful Peak over Eklutna Lake\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_5809.jpg\" alt=\"Snowy Mountains around Eklutna Lake\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_5804.jpg\" alt=\"Twin Peaks\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/thumbnails-s\/20250704_135055.jpg\" alt=\"Trail to Mt POW\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/thumbnails-s\/20250704_133528.jpg\" alt=\"Memorial on Gold Star Mountain\" \/><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><noscript><br \/>\nJavascript not enabled, unable to display slideshow.<\/p>\n<style type=\"text\/css\">\n#splide-major-3, #splide-thumb-3 { display:none; }\n<\/style>\n<details>\n<summary>Click here to display photos from the summit of Gold Star Peak.<\/summary>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/DSC_5803.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/thumbnails\/DSC_5803.jpg\" alt=\"Bold Peak and Bashful Peak over Eklutna Lake\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Bold Peak and Bashful Peak over Eklutna Lake<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/DSC_5809.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/thumbnails\/DSC_5809.jpg\" alt=\"Snowy Mountains around Eklutna Lake\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Snowy Mountains around Eklutna Lake<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/DSC_5804.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/thumbnails\/DSC_5804.jpg\" alt=\"Twin Peaks\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Twin Peaks<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/20250704_135055.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/thumbnails\/20250704_135055.jpg\" alt=\"Trail to Mt POW\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Trail to Mt POW<\/p><\/div>\n<p><div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/20250704_133528.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/thumbnails\/20250704_133528.jpg\" alt=\"Memorial on Gold Star Mountain\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Memorial on Gold Star Mountain<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<\/details>\n<p><\/noscript><\/p>\n<p>Leaving Gold Star Peak, a trail followed a mostly flat ridgeline to nearby Mt POW\u2014a pleasant, short walk that rewarded me with equally spectacular views of Eklutna Lake and the Twin Peaks. However, the summit of Mt POW offered a nice addition of unobstructed views to the east, yielding the feature photo for this post. In that single frame, three peaks came together in harmonious composition\u2014Matanuska Peak and South Pioneer Peak, which I climbed four years ago, and East Twin Peak, which I summited just two days prior.<\/p>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-major-6\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/DSC_5821.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/thumbnails\/DSC_5821.jpg\" alt=\"Snowy Mountains around Eklutna Lake\" \/><\/a><\/br>Snowy Mountains around Eklutna Lake<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/20250704_141730.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/thumbnails\/20250704_141730.jpg\" width=\"89.05%\" alt=\"Twin Peaks overlooking Eklutna Lake\" \/><\/a><\/br>Twin Peaks overlooking Eklutna Lake<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/DSC_5846.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/thumbnails\/DSC_5846.jpg\" alt=\"Flag on Mount POW\" \/><\/a><\/br>Flag on Mount POW<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/DSC_5844.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/thumbnails\/DSC_5844.jpg\" alt=\"Mountain Ranges\" \/><\/a><\/br>Mountain Ranges<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/DSC_5841.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/thumbnails\/DSC_5841.jpg\" alt=\"Flowers on Mt POW\" \/><\/a><\/br>Flowers on Mt POW<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-thumb-6\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_5821.jpg\" alt=\"Snowy Mountains around Eklutna Lake\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/thumbnails-s\/20250704_141730.jpg\" alt=\"Twin Peaks overlooking Eklutna Lake\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_5846.jpg\" alt=\"Flag on Mount POW\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_5844.jpg\" alt=\"Mountain Ranges\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_5841.jpg\" alt=\"Flowers on Mt POW\" \/><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><noscript><br \/>\nJavascript not enabled, unable to display slideshow.<\/p>\n<style type=\"text\/css\">\n#splide-major-6, #splide-thumb-6 { display:none; }\n<\/style>\n<details>\n<summary>Click here to display photos from the summit of Mt POW.<\/summary>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/DSC_5821.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/thumbnails\/DSC_5821.jpg\" alt=\"Snowy Mountains around Eklutna Lake\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Snowy Mountains around Eklutna Lake<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/20250704_141730.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/thumbnails\/20250704_141730.jpg\" alt=\"Twin Peaks overlooking Eklutna Lake\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Twin Peaks overlooking Eklutna Lake<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/DSC_5846.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/thumbnails\/DSC_5846.jpg\" alt=\"Flag on Mount POW\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Flag on Mount POW<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/DSC_5844.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/thumbnails\/DSC_5844.jpg\" alt=\"Mountain Ranges\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Mountain Ranges<\/p><\/div>\n<p><div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/DSC_5841.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/thumbnails\/DSC_5841.jpg\" alt=\"Flowers on Mt POW\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Flowers on Mt POW<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<\/details>\n<p><\/noscript><\/p>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-major-4\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/DSC_5813.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/thumbnails\/DSC_5813.jpg\" alt=\"Twin Peaks\" \/><\/a><\/br>Twin Peaks<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/DSC_5823C11.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/thumbnails\/DSC_5823C11.jpg\" width=\"92.5%\" alt=\"East Twin Peak\" \/><\/a><\/br>East Twin Peak<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">One that I summitted two days ago.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/DSC_5840.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/thumbnails\/DSC_5840.jpg\" alt=\"Pioneer Peaks\" \/><\/a><\/br>Pioneer Peaks<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/DSC_5814.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/thumbnails\/DSC_5814.jpg\" alt=\"Matanuska Peak\" \/><\/a><\/br>Matanuska Peak<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/DSC_5820.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/thumbnails\/DSC_5820.jpg\" alt=\"Bold Peak and Bashful Peak\" \/><\/a><\/br>Bold Peak and Bashful Peak<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/DSC_5822C11.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/thumbnails\/DSC_5822C11.jpg\" width=\"92.5%\" alt=\"Mountains to the Southeast\" \/><\/a><\/br>Mountains to the Southeast<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Deep into Chugach State Park.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-thumb-4\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_5813.jpg\" alt=\"Twin Peaks\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_5823C11.jpg\" alt=\"East Twin Peak\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_5840.jpg\" alt=\"Pioneer Peaks\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_5814.jpg\" alt=\"Matanuska Peak\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_5820.jpg\" alt=\"Bold Peak and Bashful Peak\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_5822C11.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains to the Southeast\" \/><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><noscript><br \/>\nJavascript not enabled, unable to display slideshow.<\/p>\n<style type=\"text\/css\">\n#splide-major-4, #splide-thumb-4 { display:none; }\n<\/style>\n<details>\n<summary>Click here to display photos of various mountains as seen from the summit of Mt POW.<\/summary>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/DSC_5813.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/thumbnails\/DSC_5813.jpg\" alt=\"Twin Peaks\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Twin Peaks<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/DSC_5823C11.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/thumbnails\/DSC_5823C11.jpg\" alt=\"East Twin Peak\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>East Twin Peak<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">One that I summitted two days ago.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/DSC_5840.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/thumbnails\/DSC_5840.jpg\" alt=\"Pioneer Peaks\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Pioneer Peaks<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/DSC_5814.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/thumbnails\/DSC_5814.jpg\" alt=\"Matanuska Peak\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Matanuska Peak<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/DSC_5820.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/thumbnails\/DSC_5820.jpg\" alt=\"Bold Peak and Bashful Peak\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Bold Peak and Bashful Peak<\/p><\/div>\n<p><div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/DSC_5822C11.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/thumbnails\/DSC_5822C11.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains to the Southeast\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Mountains to the Southeast<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Deep into Chugach State Park.<\/span><\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<\/details>\n<p><\/noscript><\/p>\n<p>Moreover, despite its lower elevation compared to East Twin Peak, I felt Mt. POW offered a less obstructed view of the Mat-Su Valley stretching northward. The intricate waterways at the confluence of the Knik and Matanuska Rivers were displayed in their full glory, painted in a distinctive cyan hue characteristic of glacial snowmelt. Beyond this aquatic tapestry, the verdant fields of the Mat-Su Valley spread gracefully against the dramatic backdrop of the Talkeetna Mountains.<\/p>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-major-5\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/20250704_140518C.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/thumbnails\/20250704_140518C.jpg\" alt=\"Mat-Su Valley\" \/><\/a><\/br>Mat-Su Valley<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/DSC_5816.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/thumbnails\/DSC_5816.jpg\" alt=\"Confluence of Knik and Matanuska Rivers\" \/><\/a><\/br>Confluence of Knik and Matanuska Rivers<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/DSC_5817.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/thumbnails\/DSC_5817.jpg\" alt=\"Knik River\" \/><\/a><\/br>Knik River<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/DSC_5839.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/thumbnails\/DSC_5839.jpg\" alt=\"Talkeetna Mountains behind Lazy Mountain\" \/><\/a><\/br>Talkeetna Mountains behind Lazy Mountain<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/DSC_5819.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/thumbnails\/DSC_5819.jpg\" width=\"92.5%\" alt=\"Mountains to the North\" \/><\/a><\/br>Mountains to the North<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">The ones around Hatcher Pass.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-thumb-5\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/thumbnails-s\/20250704_140518C.jpg\" alt=\"Mat-Su Valley\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_5816.jpg\" alt=\"Confluence of Knik and Matanuska Rivers\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_5817.jpg\" alt=\"Knik River\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_5839.jpg\" alt=\"Talkeetna Mountains behind Lazy Mountain\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_5819.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains to the North\" \/><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><noscript><br \/>\nJavascript not enabled, unable to display slideshow.<\/p>\n<style type=\"text\/css\">\n#splide-major-5, #splide-thumb-5 { display:none; }\n<\/style>\n<details>\n<summary>Click here to display photos from the summit of Mt POW.<\/summary>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/20250704_140518C.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/thumbnails\/20250704_140518C.jpg\" alt=\"Mat-Su Valley\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Mat-Su Valley<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/DSC_5816.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/thumbnails\/DSC_5816.jpg\" alt=\"Confluence of Knik and Matanuska Rivers\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Confluence of Knik and Matanuska Rivers<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/DSC_5817.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/thumbnails\/DSC_5817.jpg\" alt=\"Knik River\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Knik River<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/DSC_5839.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/thumbnails\/DSC_5839.jpg\" alt=\"Talkeetna Mountains behind Lazy Mountain\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Talkeetna Mountains behind Lazy Mountain<\/p><\/div>\n<p><div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/DSC_5819.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/thumbnails\/DSC_5819.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains to the North\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Mountains to the North<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">The ones around Hatcher Pass.<\/span><\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<\/details>\n<p><\/noscript><\/p>\n<p>Perhaps in honor of Independence Day, vintage aircraft graced the skies throughout my time on both Gold Star Peak and Mt. POW, their engines echoing across the ranges of Chugach Mountains. I recalled watching one flying on a loop that was remarkably close to Twin Peaks, so close that its maneuvers bordered aerobatic stunts (which sort of fitted the occasion).<\/p>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/DSC_5824_DSC_5838-15.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/thumbnails\/DSC_5824_DSC_5838-15.jpg\" alt=\"View from Mt POW\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>View from Mt POW<\/p><\/div>\n<p>In the end, I spent just over an hour on the summits of Gold Star Peak \/ Mt POW before beginning my descent from Gold Star Peak at 2:48pm. I went a bit faster on my way down, reaching my car at 4:37pm, hence concluding the entire hike in just over 5 hours.<\/p>\n<p>After having dinner in downtown Palmer, the splendid weather beckoned me to make a brief detour to the &#8220;Matanuska River Scenic Overlook&#8221;, which was located on a sandy bluff along Glenn Highway that overlooked Matanuska River. Just like earlier today from Mt POW, I was treated to the magnificent sights of all three major mountains (Matanuska Peak, Pioneer Peaks and Twin Peaks) that I had climbed in the region. The direction of Knik River meant this overlook also offered glimpses toward the Kink River Valley, of the distant Kink Glacier and the snowy mountains that fed into it-a rather remarkable sight considering the relatively modest elevation of this viewpoint. I figured such clear and pleasing views of mountains around could well serve as a fitting end to my days in Palmer as I prepared for my flight home tomorrow.<\/p>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-major-7\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/DSC_5854.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/thumbnails\/DSC_5854.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains along Matanuska River\" \/><\/a><\/br>Mountains along Matanuska River<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/DSC_5855.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/thumbnails\/DSC_5855.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains across Matanuska River\" \/><\/a><\/br>Mountains across Matanuska River<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/DSC_5850.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/thumbnails\/DSC_5850.jpg\" alt=\"Distant Mount Gannett\" \/><\/a><\/br>Distant Mount Gannett<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/DSC_5856.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/thumbnails\/DSC_5856.jpg\" alt=\"Matanuska Peak\" \/><\/a><\/br>Matanuska Peak<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/DSC_5851.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/thumbnails\/DSC_5851.jpg\" alt=\"Pioneer Peak\" \/><\/a><\/br>Pioneer Peak<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/DSC_5853C11.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/thumbnails\/DSC_5853C11.jpg\" alt=\"Twin Peaks\" \/><\/a><\/br>Twin Peaks<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-thumb-7\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_5854.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains along Matanuska River\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_5855.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains across Matanuska River\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_5850.jpg\" alt=\"Distant Mount Gannett\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_5856.jpg\" alt=\"Matanuska Peak\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_5851.jpg\" alt=\"Pioneer Peak\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_5853C11.jpg\" alt=\"Twin Peaks\" \/><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><noscript><br \/>\nJavascript not enabled, unable to display slideshow.<\/p>\n<style type=\"text\/css\">\n#splide-major-7, #splide-thumb-7 { display:none; }\n<\/style>\n<details>\n<summary>Click here to display photos from Matanuska River Scenic Overlook.<\/summary>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/DSC_5854.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/thumbnails\/DSC_5854.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains along Matanuska River\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Mountains along Matanuska River<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/DSC_5855.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/thumbnails\/DSC_5855.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains across Matanuska River\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Mountains across Matanuska River<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/DSC_5850.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/thumbnails\/DSC_5850.jpg\" alt=\"Distant Mount Gannett\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Distant Mount Gannett<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/DSC_5856.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/thumbnails\/DSC_5856.jpg\" alt=\"Matanuska Peak\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Matanuska Peak<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/DSC_5851.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/thumbnails\/DSC_5851.jpg\" alt=\"Pioneer Peak\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Pioneer Peak<\/p><\/div>\n<p><div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/DSC_5853C11.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/07\/04\/thumbnails\/DSC_5853C11.jpg\" alt=\"Twin Peaks\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Twin Peaks<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<\/details>\n<p><\/noscript><\/p>\n<p>END<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The sixth day of my 2025 Independence Day trip to Alaska. I hiked to Gold Star Peak and Mt POW, a less demanding neighbor to the East Twin Peak which I climbed two days ago, with similar views&#8230; <a class=\"read-more\" href=\"http:\/\/www.huangyizhou.com\/index.php\/2025\/07\/04\/20250704gold-star\/\">Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[427,676,2],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.huangyizhou.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9945"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.huangyizhou.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.huangyizhou.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.huangyizhou.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.huangyizhou.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=9945"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"http:\/\/www.huangyizhou.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9945\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":10072,"href":"http:\/\/www.huangyizhou.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9945\/revisions\/10072"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.huangyizhou.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=9945"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.huangyizhou.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=9945"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.huangyizhou.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=9945"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}