Kings-Emmons Ridge

Page Type Page Type: Route
Location Lat/Lon: 40.71700°N / 110.292°W
Additional Information Route Type: Backpack/scramble
Additional Information Time Required: A few days
Additional Information Difficulty: Class 3
Sign the Climber's Log

Approach

See details from either the Swift Creek Route Description or the Uinta River Route Description.

Detailed map of the final...



Route Description

This is a spectacular ridge run. Using the same standards that are used for the Colorado 14’ers, this ridge route has no less than eight 13’ers. This is the highest continuous ridge in Utah, one of the highest in the United States, and certainly the highest in the United States outside Colorado.

Briefly put, you will climb Kings Peak from the Uinta River or Swift Creek and follow the ridge all the way to Mount Emmons, where you will descend either the Uinta River or Swift Creek routes back to your vehicle. Beware of thunderstorms on the ridge, as this is certainly not the place to get caught in one.

From the Uinta River Trailhead, the shortest route to Kings Peak is to continue along the trail passed Chain Lakes as described, over Roberts Pass to the Lake Atwood Basin, and then over Trailrider Pass to Painter Basin. You could follow the trail all the way to Anderson Pass, but the shortest way is to climb the SE face of Kings directly. There is much boulder-hopping, but no major problems.

From the Swift Creek Trailhead, I would highly recommend that you not take the trail directly up Yellowstone Creek. The trail isn’t bad, but there are no views for many miles and at least a day or two. The trail is in a tunnel of timber the whole way and is more like hiking in the North Woods of Minnesota than the Rockies. The best way to climb kings from the Swift Creek Trailhead, is to take the Swift Creek Trail to Farmers Lake and then Bluebell Pass, and then descend to Milk Lake. From Milk Lake, follow the base of the ridge to the east all the way to Anderson Pass. The trail passes through many spectacular and beautiful alpine meadows full of wildflowers. There is no trail after Milk Lake, but the cross-country route is easy to find since there are open views and travel is not difficult.

After climbing Kings Peak from either route, follow the ridge south all the way to Mount Emmons and one peak south*. There is some boulder-hopping, a few grassy slopes, and great views for the entire route. It is a very long day from Kings to Emmons, but the effort is well worth the beautiful views. Beware of gathering thunderstorms while along the ridge.

The route usually takes 4-5 days.

*Beware of t-storms on the ridge. We actually had to drop below the ridge and bypass peaks 13,247 and 13,387.

Kings-Emmons Ridge as viewed...1 = Mount Emmons, 2 = “North Emmons”, 3 = “Roberts Peak”, 4 = “Trail Rider Peak”, 5 = “Painter Peak”, 6 = South Kings Peak, 7 = Kings Peak

Essential Gear

A good pair of boots is needed.



Parents 

Parents

Parents refers to a larger category under which an object falls. For example, theAconcagua mountain page has the 'Aconcagua Group' and the 'Seven Summits' asparents and is a parent itself to many routes, photos, and Trip Reports.