Kings Peak

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Kings Peak

Close-up of Kings Peak as seen from the Henry's Fork Basin. Kings Peak is on the right, with Gunsight Pass on the left.
Elevation 13,528 feet (4,123 metres)
Location Utah, USA
Range Uinta Mountains
Coordinates 40°46′34″N, 110°22′22″W
Topo map USGS Mount Powell
Easiest route Hike
For the mountain in Idaho, see Kings Peak (Idaho).

Kings Peak is the highest peak in the state of Utah. It lies just south of the spine of the central Uinta Mountains, in the Ashley National Forest in northeastern Utah, in north-central Duchesne County. It is also located in the High Uintas Wilderness. The peak is approximately 79 miles due east of central Salt Lake City, and 45 miles due north of the town of Duchesne.

There are three popular routes to the mountain top; a scramble up the east slope, a hike up the northern ridge, and a long but relatively easy hike up the southern slope. A common approach is from the north, from Lonetree, Wyoming via a well-graded gravel road, to Henry's Fork campground in Henry's Fork Basin, on the north slope of the Uintas. To get to Lonetree take Interstate 80 to Wyoming SR-421, then SR-421 to Wyoming SR-414. From this direction the trip is about three days total; approaches from the south via Yellowstone River or Uinta River are somewhat longer.

From the trail head, the hike approximates about 17 miles to the top of Kings Peak. Suggested items to bring: Water Purifier (several streams and rivers on the hike up), iodine tablets, coat/jacket, gloves, hat, and dry foods.

The peak was named for Clarence King, a surveyor in the area.

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  • Michael R. Kelsey, Utah Mountaineering Guide (Kelsey Publishing, 1983) pp. 94-95

[edit] External links

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