Welcome to the 4th annual Hero Hill Climb! - Saturday, May 23rd, 2026 Memorial Weekend
This is a great event to honor our fallen veterans and bring awareness to the good men & women serving in our military of all branches.

Walk, run or mountain bike...all ages...
THE MISSION:  Starting in front of Camp Merrill Army Ranger Base, you will be given a half-sheet card with the name of a fallen service member (Hero). Your mission is to carry your Hero up the gravel road to the top of the hill to honor their sacrifice. When you get to the top, there will be a large Hero board, an American flag, and a cast iron Freedom bell. You will pin your Hero Card onto the Hero Board, ring the bell in their honor, and we give you a 12-inch flag to return back down the gravel road with. The scenery is gorgeous, the camaraderie is inspirational, and you get to walk side by side with some amazing people! Each participant will also receive a special event Challenge Coin that you can pay forward or keep.

Afterwards, join the after-party at "The Overhang", Camp Merrill's on-base bar & grille for great food & beverages, raffle giveaways, and live music. Comfy event t-shirts and challenge coins are available on-site and online. 

If you are unsure of your physical fitness to walk up the gravel road, no problem!  We'll have UTV/SxS vehicles to transport you up and down the mountain, so you can complete your mission safely.  We even have a "virtual category" for those who want to participate from home.     

WHY DO WE DO THIS?  
Your contribution raises money to deploy critical support to our Heroes, by fostering community, financial assistance, and long-term wellness programs to combat PTSD and prevent veteran suicide. It is a troubling fact that 22 Veterans a day take their own life. But we can all make a difference to support our Heroes. Partnering with the US Mountain Ranger Association (USMRA), the proceeds from this event will create resources for both Mission22 and the USMRA to provide the support needed.   You make an impact!

Help us spread the word by sharing with your friends, participating in the event, and gathering a team. Our Heroes deserve our best!

** We also need sponsors and volunteers! If you have a business or an organization that we can promote, your sponsorship will be accepted as a 501(c)3 contribution. Let's find creative ways to benefit our heroes, and promote you at the same time. Please contact Stephen at the "Race Contact" below. 

HERO HILL CLIMB VIDEO (click here)

PHOTOS GALLERY Link (credit to Justin Arndt at www.ourlocalheroes.com)

FAQ will be updated soon!

Know that you are never alone.

Veterans make our community and familes stronger. Sometimes the ups and downs of life after service can be a challenge. Some will fight the urge to reach out for help. Although we cannot fully understand the weight you bear, we know that a Veteran's teamwork and integrity are unmatched. Veterans know how to rise to a challenge.  A wise Veteran who overcame his internal struggle said, "Opening up and asking for help is not a sign of weakness, but a gesture of love to those who care about us".

Thus, here are some resources that we encourage you to contact...

MISSION22:  Provides long-term help and healing for those dealing with post-traumatic stress (PTS), traumatic brain injury (TBI), or military sexual trauma (MST).
They provide free, long-term programs for Veterans that focus on growth and healing.
https://mission22.com/programs/for-veterans/ 

IN CRISIS?:  Know that you are not alone. There is always someone who has your back. Help is here... 24/7.

   Call the Veterans Crisis Line by dialing 988 and then press 1.
     -or-   send a text to 838255
     -or-   Chat Online at  VeteransCrisisLine.net/chat 
     -or-   call "Stop Soldier Suicide" at 844-889-5610

NEED A WORD OF ENCOURAGEMENT AND HOPE?
Please watch this movie called "The Keeper". "The Keeper" is based on an inspiring true story of one Army Veteran, challenged by his own demons and searching for hope and answers while hiking from Maine to Georgia on the Appalachian Trail. It is an amazing movie that has brought comfort and hope to many.

Watch the movie for FREE at www.thekeepermovie.info
Also Available on YouTube / Prime Video / ROKU / and more...

7:45am - Registration Check-in opens
8:45am - All Participants Meeting and Starting Ceremonies
9:00am - Rangers Lead The Way!  The Hero Hill Climb begins.

Starting from Camp Merrill, you will be going up Cooper Gap gravel road to the top intersection at Cooper Gap/FS-42-2.

Course Distance = 3 miles (ie.5k) to the top with 1000ft of easy gradual elevation gain. (it takes about an hour to walk up to the top) and then walking back down is easier. 
Surface Condition = smooth, hard pack gravel road.
Estimated time to walk to top = 1 hour walking up, and then about 55 minutes coming down.
Estimated time to bike to top = 30 minutes going up, and then 10 minutes to come down. (bikes are welcome to make multiple loops if you are feeling extra spicy)
Water/food aid stations are available at the bottom, middle, and top of the course.
  *For those that are physically unable to go up the mountain, you can get a ride on our trail taxis.
  *If you walk up, and want to ride the trail taxi back down, that is okay too!

10:30pm - cutoff time for last runner to go up the hill.
11:30pm - cutoff time for last biker to go up the hill.
(this is to ensure that everyone comes back to the after-party for lunch and raffle time)

PARKING

We have three (3) Parking areas to choose from. (see yellow areas in picture below)

1) You can park in the Church Parking lot. (as space allows)
2) You can park on Hightower Church Road, on the same side as the Porta-Johns.
3) You can park in the Grass Field Parking behind the church. (recommended for SUV and truck due to a dirt entry path). The driveway entry is next to the Orange barracades on Camp Wahsega Rd, just before you get to the Camp Merrill. There is also a walkway that connects to the back of the church.

After-Party

Afterwards, come join us at "The Overhang", Camp Merrill's on-base bar & grille for great food & beverages, raffle giveaways, and music. It is run by Camp Merrill's Non-Commissioned Officer Academy.
The Overhang is located just 800 feet to the left of Camp Merrill's front gate. See the map below. There is additional parking there.
  - 1130am The Overhang is open for lunch and music. Lunch menu and prices are available on-site.
  - 130pm Raffles and Giveaways will be announced, as well as the 50/50 winner.
  - You can stay and fellowship as long as you like.