Kings Peak, UT

August 30 - September 1, 2025

Kings Peak is Utah’s highest point at just over 13,500 feet. While chasing all of the state, high points isn’t high on our priority list, Hazel, Laura, and I have found some enjoyment in climbing a few of the highest mountains in our surrounding states. This Labor Day weekend, Laura had suggested a backpacking trip and Hazel mentioned that she was excited to go camping so we decided to combine backpacking with a mountain, which would be Hazel’s fifth state Highpoint.

Hazel and Owl, who goes on all of the backpacking trips with us, at the trailhead

Friday after school, we drove from Colorado to Rock Springs, Wyoming, about two hours from the trailhead and the mountain range called the High Uintahs. The following morning, we woke at six, had breakfast and were on the Henry’s Fork Trail before 9 AM. The trail was smooth at some points but also slightly rocky. It wasn’t a paved path, so to speak, as the route description made it sound. Nonetheless, Hazel did excellent hiking the 8 miles into camp in about five hours.

Hazel petting a llama that was on the trail

Camp life

While the weekend provided exceptional weather, it also lent itself to a lot of other people with the same idea as us. Around Dollar Lake, where we camped, was quite crowded with tents, but we managed to find a space off the trail in the woods with some privacy. We spent the afternoon relaxing at the lake, having dinner and getting to sleep early.

Hazel and Justin hanging out at Dollar Lake

Hazel eating dinner at camp

Typical evening at camp in the backcountry

Sunday morning, we are off hiking at 7 AM; the first 2 1/2 miles up through Gunsight Pass were along well-maintained trail, but after Gunsight Pass, you have to rock hop on talus for another 3 miles before reaching the final scramble to the summit.

Hazel checking out the cool patterns on the rocks at the base of Gunsight Pass

Everybody was impressed by Hazel and also wanted to know how old she was. They couldn’t believe she was doing this all on her own at five years old. Many of them assumed that we had carried her most of the way.

Justin and Hazel scrambling on Kings Peak

We hiked and climbed and scrambled at a pace similar to most others on the mountain and even passed a few folks along the way. We summitted at noon and spent about 30 minutes hanging out in the summit and re-taping Hazel‘s toes that were getting hot spots from rubbing together.

Hazel leading the way to the summit of Kings Peak

Justin, Hazel and Laura on the summit of Kings Peak, UT

Yep, even Owl made it to the top

Hiking down, Hazel made excellent time once again. She was more energetic, running ahead and singing, on the way down than she had been on the way up. We were so impressed!

Hazel and Justin hiking down

Hazel taking a break at Gunsight Pass on the way down

Hazel posing with the neat zebra rocks

At camp that evening we cooked dinner; Hazel was in Laura‘s camp chair eating dinner at 4 PM. We had an excellent day and she was so proud.

Hazel eating dinner back at camp

Fun times on Kings Peak

All smiles as we had our evening hot cocoa

The following morning we woke up and hiked 8 miles out to the trailhead. Hazel sang, danced and ran along playing games the entire time, never complaining once about the distance or being tired.

Hazel and Laura at the start of the hike out with Kings Peak behind

We’re so proud of Hazel and are happy to show her that doing hard things can be fun and we hope that it will show her in the future that if something gets hard, she can draw back on this experience.