The Historic Hike In Alaska That Will Take You Back In Time
By Courtney|Published March 16, 2017
×
Courtney
Author
Living and loving life in Alaska, Courtney enjoys living a happy life based on simple principles; work hard, be kind, stay humble. She is an avid dog lover with hobbies that include running, fly fishing, hiking & snowboarding.
In most recent news, the remote town of Nome is best recognized as the place where Iditarod finishers come storming across the finish line after crossing nearly 1000 miles of frozen terrain with their dog sled teams. But what many don’t realize is that this southern Seward Peninsula town is actually filled with rich history. Dating back to 1898 after gold was discovered at Anvil Creek, Nome became home to a major gold rush that left the population flourishing.
Although the area had a lot to offer, its extreme isolation made it nearly impossible for locals to communicate with the outside world. In fact, in Nome’s earliest years, it could (literally) take up to a year to get information from Nome to Washington D.C. Not to mention, the high cost to make a phone call from Nome to the ‘lower 48’ was out of this world. Thankfully, the Anvil Mountain White Alice Site changed the game for Nome residents and forever shaped the way that they would be able to connect with the outside world.
Before you head up Anvil Mountain to check out the White Alice Antenna site, stop at Anvil City Square for a preliminary history lesson and dose of local culture.
The site is just above the present day town of Nome. Back in the day it was an uninhabited area in a territory that was uncharted and not very well known or recognized. It is next to the famous Gold Pan Monument and in front of St. Joseph's Church.
Here you'll also find the statues of 'Three Lucky Swedes' who were the first to discover gold in Nome at Anvil Creek in 1898.
The four tall and towering structures on top of Anvil Mountain are known as the White Alice Communications (WACs) system, which were originally installed by the U.S. military in the mid-1950s.
Advertisement
Many locals call this area "Nomehenge." The towers operated for roughly twenty years during the height of the Cold War.
Today, these are said to be the last remaining tropospheric antennas from the WAC's system.
Because of Nome's extreme isolation, communication with the outside world proved to be outrageously costly. The Anvil Mountain White Alice site changed all that for local residents.
Today, the Anvil Mountain White Alice site is the only remaining location with physical remnants leftover from this historic program. While many locals grew up with these towering 60-foot antennas as the backdrop to their skyline, this spot now offers a dose of nostalgia on a daily basis. It is also still currently used as a navigational aid for planes, ships, hikers, hunters and more.
If you opt for the drive versus the hike, get out and spent some time exploring the miraculous local geography.
The local landscapes are so rugged and untouched, a truly different perspective than anything you'll find throughout other regions in the Last Frontier. While a day hike up to this historic site is an excellent way to get fresh air and a good workout, visitors are happily surprised that the can also easily drive up here. This makes it much easier for the entire family to enjoy an easy outing without having to worry about packing enough gear to keep everyone comfortable through the day.
On a clear day, the White Alice site on Anvil Mountain provides incredible panoramic views overlooking the Bering Sea.
When the tundra changes colors, it offers the most spectacular dose of fall foliage for miles upon miles. All you'll see is a massive wide-spread sea of colors.
Not only is Anvil Mountain a great place to get a major dose of history at the White Alice Antennas Viewpoint, but it’s also a great place to watch the Northern Lights on a clear night. Just check out the YouTube video below for a short and sweet glimpse into what an Aurora Borealis show looks like in Nome.
