King Peak via Lightning Trail in King Range National Conservation Area, CA

Hike King Peak via Lightning Trail King Range National Conservation Area, CA

Class 1 5.2 miles 1800 gain 2-4 hrs Out + Back Jun 19, 2017
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

King Peak via Lightning Trail GPX Track

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King Peak, the high point of the King Range, has some excellent views of the Lost Coast along the Pacific Ocean. This is the most direct trail to reach the summit by using King Peak's eas/northeast ridge, but you could take a longer hike by using the Saddle Mountain Trail. The hike starts up a nice ridge before ascending a steep set of switchbacks. Past the switchbacks the trail emerges from the forest and continues along a sandy ridgeline to King Peak's summit. Following the trail is straightforward.

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

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Leaving the Lighting Trail trailhead, head steeply up switchbacks for basically the entire trail.
Leaving the Lighting Trail trailhead, head steeply up switchbacks for basically the entire trail.
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Some fairly nice views of the King Mountains along the trail.
Some fairly nice views of the King Mountains along the trail.
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Switchbacks up the mountain.
Switchbacks up the mountain.
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A junction amongst the switchbacks.
A junction amongst the switchbacks.
Leave the forest to gain a sandy ridge.
Leave the forest to gain a sandy ridge.
Looking back along the ridge.
Looking back along the ridge.
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King Peak on the left. The trail skirts the ridgeline.
King Peak on the left. The trail skirts the ridgeline.
A view of the ocean along the way.
A view of the ocean along the way.
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Looking back from just before the summit.
Looking back from just before 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!