Kings Peak is Utah’s tallest peak, reaching 13,528 feet above sea level. The Henrys Fork Trailhead, a recommended starting point for hikers, is about 3 hours from Salt Lake City, with one of the fastest routes taking you into Wyoming before returning to Utah. Climbing the peak is no easy task either, requiring a ~27 mile hike in the summer with over 4,000 feet of elevation gain and taking around 12 hours for most.
And that’s just in the summer when you’re not dealing with cold and snowy conditions. These guys hit the peak in the winter. Reaching the summit requires a 10 mile approach before any of the real climbing starts and the entire round trip is about 25 miles, which means the 4,000 feet of elevation gain come in just a few miles towards the end. Of course it all looks worth it, with the skiing on the barren peak seeming pretty incredible.
If you’re hoping to head out into the backcountry, you need to be prepared for backcountry conditions. Make sure you bring the necessary avalanche gear (beacon, shovel, probe) and have the necessary training before hitting the trail. Read the avalanche forecast and stay out of harms way.
