How I Would Do Kings Peak in 1 Day

I was reading a FB post today about a guy coming to Utah this weekend to get Kings Peak in a day.  He was looking for advice and guidance and even threw out an open invite to join him on this big attempt.

The only catch is a flight he needs to make by 10pm-ish out of Salt Lake on the same day.

Surprisingly, many members of this Utah hiking group were discouraging him for even thinking he could try.  Some guy even suggested that “this time of year there are hundreds of sheep grazing that you will have to get around”.   Oh brother.  That’s a real reason for not hiking into the Henry’s Fork Basin??  Com’on!

My immediate response was to say GO FOR IT!!  I felt he could always turn around if time ran out, felt ill from altitude sickness or came upon any other unexpected problem.  Is that any different from what we take into consideration every time we go out for a hike?  I thought it was awesome that he was even giving it a try and loved his CAN DO attitude.  More people should do hard things and test their limits.

I’ve been wanting to do Kings in a day for a long time, and would have volunteered to do this with him in a heartbeat.  Unfortunately, I already have plans to try for the Utah Triple Crown again this weekend (Utah’s 3 tallest peaks in 1 day, from a basecamp).   While our goals are different yet similar, there are things I would suggest to be more “efficient” in accomplishing our respective objectives this weekend.

When I go for Kings Peak in 1 day

I’ve done Kings Peak three times now, each with a successful summit experience.  I’ve also tried to push the limit a bit each time with the intent of scoping out what it might take to get it done in a day.

• 2017: First time was just the first time, I knew nothing about it, yet immediately wanted more.
• 2020: Second time was a Triple Crown attempt that turned into a Utah Trifecta.
• 2022: Third time was a One-night Stay.  Not because we tried to cut it that short, but because everything went so smooth that our experience taught us how we could be more efficient.

That said, this is what I will do when I go for Kings Peak in 1 day.

First of all, I know the first 7.5 miles to Dollar Lake can be done in about 3 hours with a 65 pound pack.  So doing that same stretch without a heavy pack should be quite a bit easier and potentially faster.  However, we try to avoid the crowds by going another mile or so above Dollar.  So I would still calculate 3 hours to cover those first 9 miles, not running but definitely moving like you’re late to something.

The next 4 miles are up to Gunsight Pass and then following the cutoff over to Anderson Pass.  We were able to get that done in a little over 2.5 hours with a small daypack in 2020.  However, I would tweak 2 things in order to shave off a few more minutes and a mile or two after what we learned from 2022.

Taking the Shortest Route Up

1- Skip the switchback below Gunsight, just follow this little gully up to the pass (orange line).  I know it doesn’t look like much, but every bit of time saved supports your overall success.

From the top of Gunsight Pass, stay high and follow a well-traveled trail that cuts along the east slope of Dome Peak (aka West Gunsight Peak).  If you find yourself descending off Gunsight Pass into Painter Basin, you missed the real “cutoff” that shaves off the most time and distance.  We’ve done both.

The real cutoff for the shortest route up is called the Dome Peak Cutoff Trail (see CalTopo map reference below).  Once you crest this eastern slope, follow the cairns into the upper basin.

2- Skip the traverse over to Anderson Pass!  Just make your way across that upper basin in the general direction of Kings Peak (southwest).  That is what we will be doing for our Triple Crown attempt this weekend… shaving off as much time and distance as possible for similar reasons.

Pick an angle and just start heading up Kings’ east slope.  It’s just a bunch of boulder hopping.  We came down that slope in 2022 because it looked very do-able…  not to mention no one wanted to go all the way back to Anderson Pass when we could clearly see our exit directly below us!  So we figured, why not give’r a try??  Turned out to be much quicker for that day’s descent.

Later, I found this to be the suggested route for those coming up from the Uinta River approach, north of Roosevelt and Neola.  The map on SummitPost calls it the “East Slopes Route” shown below in green.  So we weren’t too far off from reading this slope and knowing we could do it.

If you do end up going the Anderson way, DO NOT take the Toilet Bowl down, it is definitely not faster!

Watching for Weather

Weather can be a factor, but don’t let that stop you.  2 of the 3 times I’ve done this peak in mid-August, the weather was absolutely gorgeous.  The one time weather posed a slight risk, we just hunkered down for about 20 minutes as it passed without incident.  Just be aware and ready if your clear sky quickly turns gray.  There are boulders big enough up there to take shelter under if you have no other choice.

Unfortunately, the mountain forecast for Kings Peak this weekend doesn’t look so awesome.

Refilling Your Water

There’s a small stream above Dollar that feeds Dollar.  I’d get my water from there.

If you top off here, you might be good for both your climb and descent back to Dollar.  If not, water may still be flowing in that upper basin like we have seen every time there in mid-August.  I just wouldn’t depend on it.  Oh, and I hope it goes without saying that drinking plain water isn’t hydrating.  Make sure it’s supplemented with electrolytes, otherwise you’ll find yourself in a different kind of trouble from this level of exertion.

Believing in Trail Magic

There will be lots of people in Henry’s Fork Basin, especially on a summer weekend.  I’m sure most would be willing to help if you found yourself in trouble.  Thru-hikers on long-distance routes, like the Pacific Crest Trail or the Appalachian Trail, call it “trail magic”.  Believe that trail magic exists here too in Utah, if you needed it.

Sticking to Your Time Limits

Know what your absolute turn-around time is.  Honor that time so you don’t put yourself at risk for a driving accident …especially if you feel tired and need a power nap before getting behind that wheel.