To get to Kings Peak from Salt Lake City:
Take I-80 Parleys Canyon east, follow this road passed Echo
Canyon, through Evanston, Wyoming. Continue for another 25
miles or so until you reach exit 30 "Bigelow Road"
which is a dirt road. Follow this road as it curves west then
turns directly east and becomes a paved road, pass through
the small town of Robertson, and continue until the paved
road turns left. Instead of turning left, turn right/south
down the dirt road. Follow the dirt road, looking for "Deadhorse
Campground" soon after there is a sharp left turn, follow
this dirt road as it slowly makes it's way south. Continue
on the main road until it passes Henry Fork Campground and
ends at a little parking lot, which was almost full when we
arrived.
We started at 3:30 PM. We hiked with our packs for the 5.5
miles through Elkhorn Crossing, from there we went left over
the footbridge, which is almost totally dismantled. After
coming out of the forest, the area opened up into a beautiful
valley surrounded by high ridgelines on both sides. We saw
3 huge bull moose,
they didn't pay much attention to us, and continued eating.
About 2 miles later and well before Dollar Lake, we decided
to camp. Kings Peak still sat about 6 miles away, even though
it's size always made it seem very close. The next day we
left our packs and marched straight toward the Anderson Pass
Scree. We went straight up the scree, continued west to the
real Anderson Pass, then followed close to ridge all the way
to the peak.
After studying many guide books and websites about Kings Peak,
I've yet to find one that isn't free of mistakes. For example,
the book "Utah's Favorite Hiking Trails" shows a
picture on page 67 of a man standing within 10 minutes of
the summit, and says "Kings Peak, from Anderson Pass".
I wouldn't call the highest peak in Utah a "Pass".
I was thinking about riding a mountain bike to the base of
Kings Peak but I'm glad I didn't, the first 5.5 miles would
be extremely difficult on a mountain bike and besides, you
can't bring anything with wheels into the Uintas. However,
you can bring large mammals that drop a loaf of excrement
every 5 steps. Fortunately this makes finding your way a little
easier, if you get lost, just look for the horse puckey.
We saw some tubby cowboys testing the breaking point of the
spines of their horses along the trail. I asked one of them
how it was going, he said "We're trying". I thought
to myself "Try walking". The horse looked like it
was thinking "Kill me".
From near the beginning of the trail looking southwest over Henrys
Fork River.
At this time of the year, most of this water comes from springs.
When you return, this trail stretches into a never-ending sadistic
treadmill.
You will think that you must have passed the Alligator Lake sign,
but no, you still need to keep walking, and walking, and walking.
From near Alligator Lake looking south toward Kings Peak.
From here, you get a pretty undistorted view of the peak, showing
it's many false summits.
After Elkhorn Crossing and the footbridge, the trail flattens out
and the valley opens up.
From left to right: Gunsight Peak, West Gunsight peak, Kings Peak
and Henrys Fork Peak.
We saw 3 moose from near this area.
Still trudging along. The strange thing about this part of the hike
is how you never seem to get any closer to the peak, it always looks
close.
We stopped around this area and camped. From here it's about 6 miles
to the peak.
Soon after this area, there's a huge mudbog that you basically have
to walk through.
My shoe came off in the mud on the way back, boy was that fun.
The next morning, after about an hour of sleep, I woke up with my
teeth a chatterin',
and fidgeted around trying to start a fire to warm my aching body.
Finally the sun came out.
Looking west toward Mount Powell 13,137' and Flat Top Mountain 12,168'
Kings Peak patiently waiting to beat the crap out of us.
Anderson Pass slippery scree slope.
The ridge to Kings Peak is visible above.
We walked off trail straight toward Anderson Pass Scree and found
this little waterfall.
From the base of Anderson Pass Scree looking up toward the hardest
part of the hike.
Gloria and Jared going up the scree, some parts of this chute were
incredibly steep.
In the background is Flat Top Mountain.
Going down, the trail becomes nearly vertical,
try to find the deep piles of small rocks to the right.
With some coordination, you can slide step with very little impact.
Almost to the top of Anderson Pass Scree. This took us about 45 minutes
to climb.
There were many reckless hikers descending, kicking loose rocks down
the trail on us.
From near the top of Anderson Pass Scree,
looking west over Henrys Fork Peak and Flat Top Mountain.
Cliff Lake is visible below Flat Top.
Looking north, over Henrys Fork.
Looking northeast over Gilbert Peak, Gunsight Peak, and West Gunsight
Peak.
The ridge up to Kings Peak.
Looking south from the real Anderson Pass toward Kings Peak on the
right.
Jared and Gloria hiking up to Anderson Pass.
Looking northeast over West Gunsight peak toward Gilbert Peak 13,442.
The top of the Anderson Pass Scree is is visible in the middle of
the picture.
The famous, yet deceptive false summit of Kings Peak.
A closer look at the ridge below Kings Peak.
Two hikers that took the Gunsight Pass route.
We were walking right next to them before they split off down Gunsight
Pass.
We were on the peak for over an hour before they even got up on the
ridge.
The Anderson Scree saved us about 2 hours one way.
Sadly, they decided not to go all the way to the peak.
They were only about 20 minutes from the top.
Behind is Henrys Fork Lake in the foreground and Grass Lake in the
background.
Looking back up Kings Peak as we walked down the ridge.
From Anderson Pass looking west over Yellowstone Creek,
Garfield Basin and most of the Uinta Mountains.
From near Anderson Pass looking east toward West Gunsight Peak
and the Anderson Pass Scree on the left.
Flat Top Mountain with Cliff Lake below.
Going down the Anderson Pass Scree
Looking up southeast toward West Gunsight Peak.
Gloria was dirt-skiing down the loose rocks.
Looking back to West Gunsight Peak and the Anderson Pass Scree.
I am taking my varsity and venture scouts on a six day backpacking trip at the end of June with Kings Peak being the main part of our trip. But we also want to make it a 50 miler. Any suggestions?
Mark
Des Moines, IA
2008-03-02
Took my wife on her 1st backpack trip, Aug 07. Got to Anderson Pass via Gunsight, when realization of distance back to tent made us reconsider continuing. We may be back to actually summit. But, for now we are enjoying our pictures, and planning other high points.
Matthew Cunningham
Taylorsville, Utah
2008-02-17
I'm a 15-year old Eagle Scout who had the opportunity last summer to ascend this beautiful mountain with my scout troop on our annual hike. I was almost to the top of the pass about to go up to the summit when, sadly, I was told to go back down because of our time constraints. I always look forward to the time I can actually complete the climb and feast my eyes upon a breathtaking sight. What slowed me was that my older brother had gone through hell that day and I wanted to make sure that he made it safely to our temporary camp before I went up with the rest of the guys. I'm glad that I waited for him before going up; he was really having a hard time.
Phil
SLC, UT
2008-02-04
Great photos. I just cleared 2 feet of snow out of my driveway. I still have a few months to kill. Your photos are giving me spring feaver!
Travis
Woodland Hills
2008-01-03
Incredible website and pictures showing the beauties of the state I love. Don't be critical of the horse riders. We tolerate you bikers and all who love the outdoors should stick together.
Alicia A
boise idaho
2007-11-18
We are trying to find the best time of year to hike kings peak. please let us khow your recomendations Thanks
Michael Proudfit
Highland, Utah
2007-09-16
#3 This weekend! don't go in July--too many bugs. Sept. weather was perfect! Crisp and cool. You will always see moose! still haven't seen big foot yet.
Herb H.
Provo, Ut
2007-08-09
I am hiking Kings peak with a good friend next weekend glad to see what i am up again
Joe Webb
Lyman, WY
2007-06-24
I'll be making my third climb up King's Peak (via Henry's Fork Trail head and Gunsight Pass)this week. Your photos are a good mental preparation for a beautiful hike.
Nae Bangerter
Roosevelt, Utah
2007-06-14
These pictures were amazing! I liked your commentary on each photo. Great web page as well.
Dean Richesin
San Juan Capistrano, CA
2007-01-18
Gary, Nick, Logan--are you in or out? Looks fabulous guys!!
Rick Lavigne
Denham Springs, LA
2006-11-28
Donig some reaserch about the hikie to the peak. Nice photos. Good info. Any info on hiking in from Mountain Home, UT via Uinta River? Looking at a 4 day hike in and back.
Thanks.
Gabby
SLC, UT
2006-11-27
This is a great website. I think you should add a little more about the mount. instead of just how to get there and what yoy saw.
Mechale Maxwell
Bountiful, UT
2006-09-18
Wow!! these pictures bring back so many memories! I hiked to the summit when I was 11, what a hard yet rewarding hike
losttreasurem an
pocatello,ida ho
2006-09-14
rockin!
Dave McGinn
Orem, Utah
2006-08-11
Made my second summit this summer. These are wonderful pictures of a very challenging but rewarding hike. Thanks
Dave McGinn
Orem, Utah
2006-08-11
Made my second summit this summer. These are wonderful pictures of a very challenging but rewarding hike. Thanks
sam robbins
pleasant grove, utah
2006-08-05
I climb kings peak 13 years ago, and ready to go again
Tony Anderson
Salt Lake, Utah
2006-07-22
I really loved this hike. It was challenging and it was really fun.
kevin jenson
midvale, utah
2006-06-25
the pictures helped me see what i'm up against in a few weeks, and they were real nice. I really liked your descriptions.
robert childs
st george utah
2006-04-07
hello again, i have looked at other web sites and i have to say yours is the best by a long shot. great pics and description. i hope the weather is good for a trip i am planning up there. by the way if you go up again drive around poison mountain. its the only place where its possible to see moose, elk, deer and antelope in the same place and maybe the bighorn sheep which i have seen towards hoop lake. thanks again. keep on truckin.
good numbers
dxr
george briggs
Leicester
2005-12-01
I climbed King's peak several times in 74-76 studying alpine plants. Whenever I have a particularly rough day I think about that final ridge!!
Skylar Stubbs
West Jordan, Utah
2005-07-10
The pictures are way cool
I'm going to be hiking up Kings Peak in about a week, I'm hoping it will be a good experince.
Charles Stanford
Pittsburgh
2005-01-31
I hiked King's Peak going the same route in late July 2002, and once we got to the top of the scree we were in the clouds. It's nice to be reminded of the trip and see some of the views I missed. I must go back some day.
Chris Bradley
Logan, Utah
2004-07-12
I'll be on the peak this Friday - thanks for the preview. This will be my 6th time! It's a beautiful part of Utah.
Lorenzo Gonzalez
Rochester, Michigan
2004-06-22
Looking forward to a July trip to SLC and some backpacking in the Uintas and Wasatch - thanks for the wonderful appetizer!!!
mandy
dallas, tx
2004-03-22
wow... never been hiking or to utah before but these pics make someone want to go
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