King’s Peak Utah

I've done it twice, once during late August and the other time in early September, both times from Henrys Fork.

The weather both times was great, with a little rain during the August trip, and freezing temps at night for the September trip. Don't know about July weather. Both my trips were done humping in heavy trad loads, so as a UL trip it would be super fun. The only downside is all the horse poop, but once you get in a few miles there is less and less of it.

There are some little lakes and ponds just short of Gunsight Pass (about 10 miles in) with plenty places to camp, and with a UL pack you could make it from the trailhead to there in about 3.5 to 4 hours.

Looking at a topo map, it seems very tempting to take the "shortcut" across the huge boulder field beyond Gunsight Pass toward the summit ridge, which a friend and I did. It turned out to be a lot more work than simply staying on the trail, and there is huge exposure to ankle and leg injuries. I definitely wouldn't even think about it if going solo. The summit ridge requires quite a bit of rock hopping and some scrambling. On the August trip, there were afternoon thundershowers and there is the potential for lightning.

The most amazing experience there is the sky at night. If there is no moon the Milky Way stands out starkly, which is something those of us East of the Mississippi have rarely seen. Once your eyes adjust, you can actually walk around a bit by starlight. There is a new moon coming up July 8, so maybe it will work out for you.

Forgot to mention… One big factor for us lowlanders is the altitude. IIRC, the altitude at the Henrys fork trailhead is about 9,700ft, camping is around 11,000 and the summit itself 13,528.

Both times I went, I had a chance to acclimate first by doing Mt. Elbert one one trip and Longs Peak on the other. Makes a big difference.

I climbed it during my highline trip – http://www.trailgroove.com/issue11.html?autoflip=31

There are a few different trailheads. The most popular by far is Henry's fork.

Now, from my experience, i thought that the view of Kings while coming in from the south/west to Anderson pass was intense. Where from the north/east and from gun sight pass, it looks like a big mound of rocks. If you're wanting a little more solitude, From the south/west might be a better route to go. If you're looking for the standard route, Henry's fork is definitely the way to go.

Either way, its a great trip.

Ted, that was a heckuva good trip report, and a great concept for an adventure!

I appreciate it. It was quite the adventure.

There are a few other articles of mine in TrailGroove. Feel free to check them out (The Teton High Route and the Zion Criss Cross are my other favorites)

First off thank you for all the information, it has helped a lot.

So if i'm understanding correctly I can start at henry forks trail head on day one. Camp somewhere around gunsight pass on the night of day one. Summit kings peak on day two. and head back to henry forks on day three? So i'll list it for a better understanding

Day One: Henry forks to gunsight pass
Day two: Gunsight pass to King's peak summit and back
Day three head back to henry forks trail head.

I will be purchasing a topo map of the area. and I know how to read them w/a compass and all that jazz.

To be honest I'm kind of out of shape so taking an extra day wouldn't be a problem for me. The winter slumber went on far to much for me this past year….

EDIT:

this is probably the best information on a trail I have.
http://www.everytrail.com/guide/kings-peak-high-point-of-utah/map

I wouldn't mind taking 4-5 days on this trip w/ my wife. Looks like the scenery could be awesome. We've never been out to utah before.

Looks like i could do this:

Day one: Henry forks to dollar lake,
Day two: dollar lake to summit
Day three: dollar lake back to henry forks

can i set up camp closer to the summit after dollar lake?

I have done that same trip a number of times. 3 days will do it but you can certainly take another day on a side trip from Dollar lake and another day may be nice if the weather doesn't cooperate on the second day to summit King''s.

The mosquito pressure can be pretty bad down low around the lakes until mid Aug. I haven't heard anything about bugs yet this year but others may chime in.

Nathan, that is how we did it and it seems the most common approach.

If you can afford the extra days, doing as John suggests by taking a side trip or two from Dollar Lake is an excellent idea because it gives you time to acclimate to the altitude.

Just saw your comment (on the other altitude-related thread) about spending some days in SLC and doing day hikes before Kings. Sounds like a good plan!

yea. i want the trip to be enjoyable so i think it'll be the last thing we do on our way out of utah. Actually, from salt lake we'd have to drive out of utah into wyoming then back down into utah to access Henry Forks trail head.

So we'd spend a day at the trail head. hike into dollar lake, maybe day hike around there, then head up to kings peak (or over gunsight pass into painters basin for another day) and summit kings peak after that. then head back to henry forks trail head.

goal is to take our time, enjoy the sights and the last of our vacation.

Nathan, I hope you have a great trip!

It's an amazing place – enjoy the vastness of it all.

There is so much other stuff to do, but if you get a chance also check out Dinosaur National Monument in northeast Colorado. If you have any interest in geology it is an incredibly cool experience.

"Dinosaur National Monument in northeast Colorado."

Not the last time that I was there.

It is mostly in northwestern Colorado.

–B.G.–

Even closer! tucked up in the corner near Utah.

Thanks for the catch.

Well, kings peak will have to wait. Yesterday we were all set to hike up mount Olympus. We want to beat the heat and woke up at 3am and headed out at around. 4am to hike up the mountain. 300 yards in I suffered a sprained ankle. I choose some lighter trail runners instead of my hiking boots and it probably wasn't the shoes but that didn't help. With the time we have left in Utah I won't be healed up in time to hike kings peak. Boo. Next time though….

Aw, man, sorry to hear that!! :(

Well, it is definitely worth another trip – that's why I did it twice. A great experience. Hope you're well soon.