King Peak from Saddle Mountain in King Range National Conservation Area, CA

Hike King Peak from Saddle Mountain King Range National Conservation Area, CA

Class 1 10.8 miles 3100 gain 4-6 hrs Out + Back Jun 19, 2017
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

King Peak from Saddle Mountain GPX Track

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King Peak is best accessed via the Lightning Trail. This is a much longer out-and-back hike that uses the Saddle Mountain Trail that follows an old forest road for its majority. It's therefore a fairly boring forest with limited views of the surrounding ocean and mountains. Eventually though, the road abruptly turns into single-track and the hike becomes a bit more enjoyable. The sandy trail brings you out of the forest and into shrubby terrain where you can see great views of the Lost Coast and the other peaks of the King Range. The trail section of the hike is delightful and mostly makes up for the long road walk.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
King Peak
4088 ft
2928 rise

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The trailhead leaves on an old gravel road.
The trailhead leaves on an old gravel road.
Follow the road for most of the hike, sadly. There are a few lookouts along the way toward the ocean.
Follow the road for most of the hike, sadly. There are a few lookouts along the way toward the ocean.
Just lots of road...
Just lots of road...
Image 3 from gallery
Fire Hill lookout along the way, slightly off the trail.
Fire Hill lookout along the way, slightly off the trail.
Image 5 from gallery
A little mini lookout along the road, toward Shelter Cove (the town on the Lost Coast).
A little mini lookout along the road, toward Shelter Cove (the town on the Lost Coast).
Finally, the road start to fade!
Finally, the road start to fade!
Some nice views along the trail as elevation increases.
Some nice views along the trail as elevation increases.
Image 9 from gallery
Looking back the way I came.
Looking back the way I came.
Image 11 from gallery
Image 12 from gallery
The ridgeline to King Peak, King Peak on the left.
The ridgeline to King Peak, King Peak on the left.
Looking back along the ridgeline.
Looking back along the ridgeline.
Wildflowers along the trail.
Wildflowers along the trail.
Nice views looking back.
Nice views looking back.
Continuing along the ridgeline, King Peak ahead.
Continuing along the ridgeline, King Peak ahead.
Looking back along the ridgeline, the Pacific Ocean in the distance.
Looking back along the ridgeline, the Pacific Ocean in the distance.
Image 19 from gallery
Image 20 from gallery
Almost at the summit.
Almost at the summit.
King Peak summit, looking southwest.
King Peak summit, looking southwest.
King Peak summit, looking northwest.
King Peak summit, looking northwest.

Hire me or show me some love!

Hire/refer me as a web developer or send me a few bucks if you find my site useful. I’m not sponsored, so all fees are out-of-pocket and my time preparing trip reports is unpaid. I really appreciate it!