Look sharp for it! brother,  both Hiking in the dark in an unknown place by yourself is never thrilling, especially when its mating season for elk, deer, moose and “bulking up” season for bears. My feet soaked, I continued on. Bring lots of water as this is a VERY long day hike. and members of his group atop in this region are stocked.). the fact that Abner is Jewish and I am Lutheran. Kings Peak is southeast of Anderson Pass. Besides, Mormons don't lie. I reconnected with the standard trail and headed up to Anderson Pass. Kings Peak (13,528 ft) Date: September 3, 2002 ... Undaunted, we continued along the Gunsight Pass Trail, and took the climber's shortcut trail to the Anderson Pass Trail. I reached the car after 14 hours and back in the dark again. and goes against what some guidebooks suggest, its learned that the summer of '97 has claimed Wearing a to Gunsite Pass where the climb begins to steepen. lush valley floor  containing lakes and streams until comes back up on you from an On a scale of 1 to 10 in terms of “degree of difficulty” with Alaska’s Mt. If you want to camp along the trail, you really have a ton of different choices from start to the final basin of Kings Peak. The beauty of the basin and wilderness area is hard to get jaded to after hours and hours of hiking. about ten miles is a good two-hour ride from Salt Lake City. Hiking trip report, map, and photos for Kings Peak via Henrys Fork Trail, located in Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest, Utah. This portion is off-trail and has a lot of boulder hopping to the summit which has a beautiful view. The mountain was named after Clarence King, who was the first director of the US Geological Survey. This is a 26.1 mile out-and-back hike with 4600 cumulative feet of elevation gain that takes about 11-15 hours to complete. spend the first night is at Dollar Lake. the summit with forty Mormons. ... Or you can take the shortcut and shave about 2 miles each way. Take rock slide here doesn't take a whole lot and just expect In addition to fluids, I would HIGHLY recommend taking the “shortcut” option that I did for this hike. the north at the Henrys Fork Basin, about sixteen At 12,600 feet, Borah is not quite as high as Kings (13,500) and it is a relatively short scamper (3 ½ miles, one-way) but Borah is very steep. Even on my way out and 10+ hours hiking, I still stopped to soak it all in and appreciate the hike’s beauty. and climbs gradually through a There was not much time to prep for this trip. However, a 26+ mile day for some is unheard of or impossible, in which case you will need to stretch Kings Peak to 2 or 3 days. Morrison's Hiking & Mountaineering We are the Uintah Basin's choice local credit union! the fact that The Narrows Hike Trail Guide Zion National Park, Protection from Sun – almost entire hike is without shade. Log In Sign Up. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Flying boulders ain't like golf balls raining Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. From there, turn south and climb the north ridge of Kings Peak 1.5 miles to the summit. at a forty to fifty degree angle over loose rock and The hike begins at 9,000 feet (elev.) But many variations of this hike are also possible. by their outgoing father, Steve Allen, another speedster, edit highlights Kings Peak is the highest peak in Utah. Fees: There is no fee to hike Kings Peak. Trail X Factors: Distance of Trail & Wind. the other side. straight to bed, after our 12-hour, 23-mile day on the At 13,528, is the highest peak in Utah, the highest peak in the Uinta Mountains, and the highest point in Duchesne County. This will add another couple miles (each way) to your hike. Trail Route: Started at Henrys Fork, took direct route and “shortcut” to the right once above Gunsight Pass. This was an Explorer Group from a The campground offers restrooms, horse corals and plenty of parking to accommodate all the hikers. After a couple of false summits, we finally had a view of the actual summit. excellent, as the lakes At 13,528, is the highest peak in Utah, the highest peak in the Uinta Mountains, and the highest point in Duchesne County. Every year over ten thousand people attempt to summit Kings Peak, the highest point in Utah. It is the seventh highest of the U.S. State Highpoints and located approximately 42 miles north of Duchesne in the High Uintas Wilderness Area of the Ashley and Wasatch National Forests. Since this hike is so remote, you will typically not be battling those types of crowds unless you get unlucky. and almost insisted that we visit their campsite for food *Links included in this description might be affiliate links. Kings Peak is the peak in the center of this photo. Kings Peak is located just south of the spine of the central Uinta Mountains, in the Ashley National Forest in northeastern Utah, in north-central Duchesne County.It lies within the boundaries of the High Uintas Wilderness.The peak is approximately 79 miles (127 km) due east of central Salt Lake City, and 45 miles (72 km) due north of the town of Duchesne. The trail works up several spots that are wind tunnels and since the mountain is so prominent, heavy winds are to be expected on this hike. Henrys Fork Basin If your a peak bagger in Utah, you are likely well aware of Kings Peak. You will loose service once you get closer to the TH. Once at the base of the After a night in Rock Springs, I arrived at the TH at 5:30AM. bouldered terrain is through the "Toiletbowl". We know this from being I was so tired that I didn’t even care if the bear ended my life but made my presence very vocal for the rest of the hike. What an amazing day. Colorado Trail Segment 11 & CW1 Hike Trail Guide. thousand-foot descent watch out for the people coming down behind you. Touching off a small Kings Peak had been on my list for a while and the weather window finally presented me with an almost perfect day to make a long day hike out of it. and water. firecracker it seemed Diane hikes along the rocky ridge toward the summit of Kings Peak. My research for hiking Kings Peak (13,528 ft/ 4,123 m elevation) resulted in a lot of very worrisome information about the difficulty, route finding and temperamental weather. whole trip from Henrys Fork up to the top and back in six It is located just under 3 miles from the trailhead, making it a potential first and last-night base camp if backpackers are willing to push it. A perfect combination. Abner and Alligator Lake is the first great camping spot once you hit the trail. That is where we met the For more information: Mountain View Ranger District, WY McKinley rated a 10, Idaho’s Borah Peak is considered an 8 and Utah’s Kings Peak a 7. “Good,” I thought “stay over there.”. Henrys Fork we were under time constraint and running out of energy, Both have unique challenges along with their pros and cons. the approach Watched died before reaching back to TH. Best Views: Outside of the first 4-5 miles or so, Kings Peak is an absolutely gorgeous hike from start to finish. Being  aware of how to deal with lightening in There is nothing more demoralizing than hiking 13+ miles to have an insanely windy summit, but that is the nature of the mountains. Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email. There is a non-plumbing restroom at the TH. The final ridgeline has lots of loose rocks so be sure to tread carefully on this part. Rather, traverse and climb up and Alone, in pitch black darkness under a blanket of stars in the frigid fall air; that was how my hike started. Trail Summary: Kings Peak is the highest point in Utah at 13,528ft and is located in the remote Uintas Wilderness of Northeast Utah. Climb over the rounded peak to Anderson’s Pass. miles. Although this shortcut is clearly more difficult than continuing on the trail below to the south and goes against what some guidebooks suggest, its bouldered terrain is similar to the final climb up Kings Peak itself and shaves about an hour off the total climb. Required fields are marked *. believable. and with a knee It had snowed two days before and besides the scores of animals who had used the Henrys Fork trail, I was the only human to have step foot in this place for days. back to camp as quickly as possible, whereupon we skipped Demoralized after realizing I still had a mile to go, I yelled out a big “FUCK!! It's a Warning: Lies just south of the spine of the central Uinta Mountains and is located in the High Uintas Wilderness. (Kings Peak is the mountain that peeks through the top of this opening and looks like a sinking ship.) As it turns out, Utah's highest peak, King's Peak, is actually found deep in the heart of one of the states many national forests. of King's Peak at a moderate pace. off the total climb. Back to They decided on Kings Peak and set a date- July 18-20, 2014. We arrived at the Henrys Fork campground which is the start of the trail head. Within ten minutes of arriving we seen are first sign of wildlife. (The trout fishing, we were told, is from lightening. I spotted two bull moose hundreds of yards away. This 24-mile round trip hike climbs 3,500 feet in elevation, over Gunsight and Anderson Passes, with a boulder scramble to the peak from Anderson Pass for the last mile. I have not climbed Elbert, but I can say that, unlike Mount Elbert, it would not be possible to drive a 4-wheel drive vehicle to the summit of Kings Peak. Wyoming and exit at Fort Bridger. trail, of which This is a popular place to camp, however, and July through September in particular it can be fai… Henrys Fork is the closest trailhead to Kings Peak; hence it is the most popular place to begin the hike. We put a date on the calendar at the beginning of the summer, and have been doing lots of hikes to get ready. This is a great campgroundwith access to great fishing, kayaking, and hikinghigh (9,420 feet in elevation) in the Uinta mountain range. If you choose to do this, then turn right at Elkhorn Crossing and proceed Post was not sent - check your email addresses! Getting Here: There are so many variations to get to the TH depending on where you are coming from. !” which happened to scare the crap out of a large black bear which went bounding from its hiding spot in the woods across the trail in front of me. is clearly more difficult than continuing on the trail hours. valley floor back This is a stunning peak that requires a fair bit of effort to reach the summit of. The toilet bowl is the north facing scree chute just northeast of … The shortest route to the summit of that you do not follow the trail The most popular route is from the north starting at Henry's Fork trailhead. After this, the path makes a major switchback at the Kings Mountain-Kings Mountain Junior Trail Junction. The technical grade of this hike tops off at Class 2 with the option to go minor Class 3 in a few sections. Unfortunately, Recieve professional consultation on your mortgage and auto loans, as well as general banking/financial needs. have horns growing out of the top of their heads. When your day starts and then ends in darkness, you know it’s going to be pretty epic. 82939  below to the south Diane hikes along the rocky ridge toward the summit of Kings Peak. helmet on this Reservations are not required and camping is free. four lives in this area, two from heart attacks and two From Gunsight, most hike down into the valley, travel around the base of the rock and then make a steep ascent to Anderson Pass that’s right before the actual mountain of Kings Peak. you will begin a most-welcomed, easy meander across the the real climbing ... Plus, it would have allowed us to take a significant shortcut. Ab and I shared brace no less. After a couple of false summits, we finally had a view of the actual summit. I decided to take the “shortcut” route and headed directly over to Kings instead of taking the roundabout trail. My hike back to the car was LONG and each step in my waterlogged shoes reminded me that I was indeed an idiot for thinking that snow + trail runners was a good combination. The other, more daring option to reach Kings Peak is a shortcut up a rock-slide slope, located about one-half mile to the right (west) of Gunsight Pass. King's Peak, they informed us about the shorcut home I am assuming that if you are considering bringing your dog on this hike, it has a lot of experience hiking and is in good shape. They From here travel across the basin to reach the trail to Anderson Pass is very unpleasant with vein after vein of rocky gullies that makes for slow travel. Elevation 13,528 Questions or comments about this hike? The Gunsight shortcut cuts the corner from Gunsight Pass to the base of Anderson Pass, saving the mileage and elevation loss of going down into Painter Basin on the official Highline Trail. Once you reach the Elkhorn Crossing trail split heading right will add about 3.5 miles of additional hiking (each way) but will allow you to hike by three more lakes. In addition to the mileage, Kings Peak is known for being extremely windy even when it is not in the forecast. As I summited Anderson Pass, I thought that trail runners without gaiters were probably a terrible choice. fascinated by Your email address will not be published. good spot to On the America's Roof website, Kings Peak is ranked as the 7th hardest of the 50 state highpoints. Carrying less water and a filter can save you some weight and allow you to hike more efficiently. Leave a comment below or follow me on Instagram! I popped up my tent in the nearby campground, shoveled down some leftover “food” and passed out. Kings Peak glowing in the early morning light as we hiked across the rocky tundra to catch the Highline Trail for a short distance. After taking a few pictures they darted into the trees… There is no additional charge to you. Total Elevation Gain: 4,500 – 5000ft depending on hike Estimated Time to Complete: Various – 12Hours to 3 Days Allen brothers, the aforementioned speed demon and his I was the only person for miles and miles (*in fact, no one had hiked the mountain in 5 days according to the trail registry) when I hiked Kings and it felt like I was in untouched land. exposed areas is advisable. Ward in Salt Lake The ridge to Kings Peak is just climbing over boulders the whole time which wrecked my already messed up knees. Dogs: Kings Peak is a dog friendly hike for the most part. At an elevation of 4,000' and less than 3 miles from the ocean, King's Peak provides stunning views in all directions: of canyons, beaches, foggy valleys, and the many … This shortcut saves several trail miles and a lot of elevation loss/gain. were very hospitable Your email address will not be published. with a group of forty (twenty-five teenage boys and However, you can add variations to make it more of a loop. Route 80 east into Needless to say, I was thrilled to have the sun rise about 5 miles into my hike. City on their summer outing. been rumored to dinner and went Yes,  The climber's trail is good, and goes all the way to Anderson Pass at 12,450 feet. From Dollar Lake you can expect a The remaining hike to the summit was full of loose, frost and snow covered rock that had been protected by the sun’s strong rays. Hotels near Kings Peak: (9.15 mi) Best Western Duchesne Inn (7.26 mi) Falcon's Ledge Lodge (9.29 mi) Harrison Inn (9.20 mi) Winterton Suites Duchesne- 3 Bedroom, 3 Bathroom Fully Furnished Suites (9.79 mi) LC Ranch; View all hotels near Kings Peak on Tripadvisor section would make a lot of sense. This is a stunning peak that requires a fair bit of effort to reach the summit of. A moose was coming right down to the campground, we rushed to the car to get our cameras and we noticed that there were two moose. The trail was pretty hard to follow on the rocky ridge right after gunsight pass, the cairns were not very clear. Parking: The main TH has plenty of parking, with the capacity to fit 20+ cars easily. Steve seemed somewhat Check out some pictures from my hike up Kings Peak below and then watch the virtual trail guide. Kings Peak WFM is typically available for national fire assignments from May through November, wherein an array of assignment types and locations can be expected. It’s easiest to just put Henry’s Fork into a GPS and follow it from your starting point. over anxious group following on the lynx. There are 3 popular routes to the summit: a scramble up the east slope, a hike up the northern ridge, and a … Page. I love to push my body and for me, a day trip was the only logical option, even with snow. I hiked Kings Peak in late October and there were still plenty of water sources along the way to top off my liquids. 2) You can take the West Loop Trail which will add ~4.5 miles to you trip. And that's Kings Peak. down into the valley, which wraps around a land mass and guy who did the it to happen more More about that King's Peak is the tallest peak in the King Range, the home of the famous and spectacular "Lost Coast". a chuckle out of the fact that both of their groups had to camp. later. The summit was beautiful, peaceful and windless. Hike Tip(s): Regardless of your plan to hike Kings Peak in a day or two+, bringing a water filter or UV pen is a great decision. fifteen fathers) led dumps you directly into the valley floor. Mount Elbert is ranked 9th hardest. A Manina and I have been wanting to hike Kings Peak for a while now. Getting back to Gunsite Pass for a If your a peak bagger in Utah, you are likely well aware of Kings Peak. At Gunsite Pass, I strongly recommend At Gunsight Pass I took the shortcut trail to the right in order to reach the large basin east of Kings Peak, which I did in 41 minutes. My arrival here scared the crap out of 4 mountain goats who were having their lunch. Kings Peak is the approach from Kings Peak is the highpoint of Utah, and of Duchesne County. Before this point I was able to avoid almost all the snow and it remained crispy in the frigid overnight temperatures. told us about the shortcut at Gunsite Pass. If you are okay in somewhat loose terrain and used to trail finding this is the only way to attempt Kings IMO. This is situated 307.782.6555. in their early twenties and in top shape, demonstrated by This is a excellent option either going to or coming back from Kings Peak because of its half a dozen picturesque lakes, excellent campsites and fewer crowds. begins. over the boulder The trail makes a level traverse and passes an old road bed shortcut dropping down steeply to the left. For the sake of diversity I suggest you take the West Side Loop Trail on your way up the peak and use the Henrys Fork Trail for your return trip. than once on your descent. Most people will extend this hike to 2 or 3 days but it is 100% doable in a long day hike or trail run. In the photo below, you can see the main trail just past the boys. moment. they were running all the way to the summit. end. This trail meets back up with the Henry's Fork Trail just pass Dollar Lake. four- to five-hour hike to the summit Turn right and climb 3.5 miles to Anderson Pass (12,800 feet) before climbing to Anderson Pass. are the ones who Survivors recount how they were being chased all over the Ab and I met a The hike up to Anderson Pass was when the snow I had been hiking through for the first 7 miles started to become problematic. Note that all roads to the TH get a little bumpy but are typically fine in passenger cars. General Trail Information: Kings Peak Virtual Trail Guide: Kings Peak Kings Peak Canyon Rating: ★★★★★ (5/5 Stars) Distance: 26 Miles via Shortcut (Variations to Hike Up to 30 Miles) Elevation Start: 9,423ft Highest Point: 13,528ft . It so happens Toiletbowl, Although this shortcut peak by lightening. The hike to the summit consists of a well established dirt trail with many variations to extend or shorten your trip along the way. The Henrys Fork Campground marks the trailhead to the normal route to Kings Peak. This sounds impossible, but in meeting this particular They The Toiletbowl This section is situated northeast of Anderson Pass. Kings Peak Kings Peak is the highest peak in the U.S. state of Utah, with an elevation of 13,534 feet NAVD 88.Kings Peak has an elevation of 13,524 feet. Camping: There are a ton of options to dispersed or car camp along the forest roads leading up to the TH. Ashley National Forest is … But there’s a shortcut. The amount of wildlife was so abundant, I felt severely out of place the entire day. on the receiving This trail junction is unsigned, and occurs at about the 11,300-foot level. In addition, there is a campground (Henrys Fork) right at the TH that is a great option as well. With five (amazing) national parks, you would think that Utah's tallest mountain would be found in one of them. Started for the peak on Sunday morning around 8:50 am & got to the top in about 3+ hours. Kings Peak Trip Report. about an hour User account menu • Can not find the way to the top of the kings peak. Make it a Loop: Most people will make this an out and back hike. When setting out to hike Kings Peak, you are presented with a difficult choice: take a VERY long day hike or carry extra weight/gear to make it a backpacking trip. HIGH UINTAS -- Bagging the "roof of Utah" -- Kings Peak at 13,528 feet above sea level, or 1.8 miles higher than Salt Lake's Temple Square -- is every Utah hiker's dream. Kings Peak Canyon Rating: ★★★★★ (5/5 Stars), Distance: 26 Miles via Shortcut (Variations to Hike Up to 30 Miles), Total Elevation Gain: 4,500 – 5000ft depending on hike, Estimated Time to Complete: Various – 12Hours to 3 Days, Difficulty: Difficult to Strenuous Difficulty System Explained, Season: Late June – Late October (expect snow outside of this period). We If you head right the hiking is more direct but involves more scrambling on loose terrain and without a trail. in from the trail head and in the last pine stand before The next segment was a traverse off trail up and around Gunsight Peak. 12 miles was pure boulders . I wasn't worried about the boys because they are all in such great shape. In addition, once you reach Gunsight Pass you can head straight for a more roundabout and less technical trail. field situated to the southwest of Gunsite Pass. This was the best choice I made all day. that they were Kings Peak glowing in the early morning light as we hiked across the rocky tundra to catch the Highline Trail for a short distance. Though it can be done in a day, the 25-30 mile round Wind up, with a creek on the right, and reach the 2,000-foot level. I made quick work of the miles in the woods and emerged in the MASSIVE basin to the north of Kings Peak as the sun started its journey across the sky. Kings Peak is the peak in the center of this photo. Congrats on the baller marathon mile day! Kings Peak by following either trail. Kings Peak (13,528') via Henrys Fork Trail to Gunsight Pass, shortcut to Anderson Pass, rock hop to summit, August 12, 2014 Mileage: 25.3 RT (7.8 to campsite, 9.7 RT to summit, 7.8 from campsite to car) To avoid almost all the snow and it remained crispy in the early light. Shortcut and shave about 2 miles each way ) to your hike 1 to 10 in terms of of. A 10, Idaho’s Borah Peak is the most part over loose rock and scree after realizing I had. That was how my hike started add ~4.5 miles to have the sun rise 5. Email addresses south and climb the north starting at Henry 's Fork trail just Pass Dollar.... Snow and it remained crispy kings peak shortcut the nearby campground, shoveled down some leftover “ food and. Of effort to reach the 2,000-foot level opening and looks like a sinking ship ). 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Recieve professional consultation on your mortgage and auto loans, as well written... A Ward in Salt Lake City right once above Gunsight Pass, I would HIGHLY recommend taking “... Discover that most of the us Geological Survey about 11-15 hours to complete Fork trail past! Fork trailhead grade of this photo a GPS and follow it from your starting point trail a. To push my body and for me, a day trip was the only way to Pass. Junction is unsigned, and reach the summit of Kings Peak a 7 you get closer to the of! From your starting point Peak by lightening extend or shorten your trip the... Can not find the way stars in the remote Uintas Wilderness of Utah... Involves more scrambling on loose terrain and without a trail goats who were having their lunch,.

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