Kingston Peak to Kingston BM traverse with Iris and Tom G
Ron Lebfrom - Jan 15, 2020 7:44 pm Date Climbed: Jan 8, 2020
Snow ascent
It was a difficult climb in the snow. It was very rewarding to be the first up on the mountain in 2020. I was amazed with all the different species of lichen. The views were also incredible.
You can view a video of the trip at: https://vimeo.com/385164700
The end of a cold front made this late season trip work. The usual route up and back. By following various cow paths through the brush, the worst of the bushwhacking was avoided.
gimpilator - Feb 18, 2015 6:24 pm Date Climbed: Feb 11, 2015
A week in the Desert
I spent 3 days hiking with Heather and then she went off to do 100+ miles on the PCT. I then spent 4 days bagging peaks solo. We started with Kingston on the first day and we were impressed with how rugged it is. It's a wonderful wilderness area. Other things I climbed on this trip include the Kelso Dunes highpoint, East Ord, Cady, Chemehuevi, Mastodon, and Eagle (J-Tree).
cab - Nov 18, 2013 12:12 pm Date Climbed: Nov 17, 2013
DPS Route
I'm not sure that there is a good way to get to the saddle and the beginning of the ridge that leads south to the summit. Once on the summit ridge, it is important to stay below the summit ridge (on the east side for the most part) to avoid scrambling that will slow you down. Staying higher on the ridge is possible (this is what we did on the way to the summit), but is definitely slower.
jdmorehouse - Mar 13, 2013 1:48 pm Date Climbed: Feb 24, 2013
Cold, Windy Day
Hiked up the wash to the first saddle, then out on the summit ridge. A fair amount of bushwacking, but the worst of it could be avoided by careful route finding. The summit ridge has plenty of rocky outcroppings to be negotiated. The wind was blowing in the vicinity of 30 mph, and I don't think the temperature ever got much above freezing. A party of two others from LVMC made the trip.
mrchad9 - Mar 8, 2011 1:47 pm Date Climbed: Mar 6, 2011
Normal Route
Took the 4x4 up 0.7 miles from the main road and camped for the night, a nice spot with a fire ring there. A bit brushier than I expected throughout the hike but nice views overall. Very scenic on the drive out with the lighting and coulds I had at the time.
I came in from the west and out to the east. The road has a significant washout just to the east of the trailhead, would think a 4x4 is required to get around it.
Bob Burd - Mar 28, 2007 8:35 pm Date Climbed: Mar 16, 2007
Standard DPS route
With Evan Rasmussen, climbing Stewart Point in the afternoon. Warm day, but not too hot. Trip Report
Matthew Holliman - Mar 4, 2007 4:17 pm Date Climbed: Feb 24, 2007
Standard route
This is a mediocre peak, but good company (Rick and CP) and nice (albeit cool) weather made for an enjoyable outing nonetheless. We found a fair amount of brush and some fresh snow on the approach, followed by an enjoyable hike along the ridgeline.
Shorter than expected (we finished by lunch time), which meant that Rick and I had time to drive around to Avawatz and tag that one in the afternoon. (To compensate, that one took us longer than expected.)
You should try it when the temps are at least 30F warmer. Much more stimulating. ;^) And next time, wear shorts. }:-)
Seriously, I'm glad you guys found something to enjoy. I'm still content to call this hike "arduous", to keep people from underestimating the hike. With barely over 2500' net elevation gain, it doesn't seem like much, but once that ridge gets warm... the desert sun has no mercy. The hot route back, over all those lumps...
cp0915 - Feb 26, 2007 2:50 pm Date Climbed: Feb 24, 2007
standard route
With Rick K and Matthew H. Just under 5 1/2 hours car-to-car, including 1/2 hour on the summit. While I then went home to make some calzones, the other two maniacs went on to do Avawatz.
DonnieB - Sep 11, 2006 9:38 pm Date Climbed: May 3, 2006
Kingston Peak
Nice hike and bushwhack on the way in and found more user friendly and scenic way down. Slideshow and GPS details at http://healthshaman.com/s/Kingston-Peak-5-3-06/
MoapaPk - May 4, 2006 9:20 am Date Climbed: May 3, 2006
A long day from Vegas
The Siberian, the Surfer and I met in Vegas at 7AM, and were at the "trailhead" ~8:30 AM. Including 1 hr 15 min rest at the summit, this 8-mile hike took us 8 hours. It was unseasonably warm, but the main issues were: the rather thick brush for the first and last 2 miles, and the ruggedness of the ridge. There is a very rough cairned path on much of the ridge, but the path is easy to lose. Other complications: The Siberian got sunscreen in her eyes, which blinded her for 1/2 the trip; and the Siberian and the Surfer were working on 3 and 2 hours sleep, respectively.
link: Kingston from North
streeyyr - Jan 5, 2005 9:51 am Date Climbed: Oct 15, 2002
Kingston Peak
A classic Mojave Desert peak located far off the beaten path.
bechtt - Apr 26, 2020 8:22 pm Date Climbed: Apr 25, 2020
Kingston Ridge traverseKingston Peak to Kingston BM traverse with Iris and Tom G
Ron Lebfrom - Jan 15, 2020 7:44 pm Date Climbed: Jan 8, 2020
Snow ascentIt was a difficult climb in the snow. It was very rewarding to be the first up on the mountain in 2020. I was amazed with all the different species of lichen. The views were also incredible.
You can view a video of the trip at:
https://vimeo.com/385164700
jdmorehouse - Apr 18, 2016 5:38 pm Date Climbed: Apr 17, 2016
2nd AscentThe end of a cold front made this late season trip work. The usual route up and back. By following various cow paths through the brush, the worst of the bushwhacking was avoided.
gimpilator - Feb 18, 2015 6:24 pm Date Climbed: Feb 11, 2015
A week in the DesertI spent 3 days hiking with Heather and then she went off to do 100+ miles on the PCT. I then spent 4 days bagging peaks solo. We started with Kingston on the first day and we were impressed with how rugged it is. It's a wonderful wilderness area. Other things I climbed on this trip include the Kelso Dunes highpoint, East Ord, Cady, Chemehuevi, Mastodon, and Eagle (J-Tree).
cab - Nov 18, 2013 12:12 pm Date Climbed: Nov 17, 2013
DPS RouteI'm not sure that there is a good way to get to the saddle and the beginning of the ridge that leads south to the summit. Once on the summit ridge, it is important to stay below the summit ridge (on the east side for the most part) to avoid scrambling that will slow you down. Staying higher on the ridge is possible (this is what we did on the way to the summit), but is definitely slower.
jdmorehouse - Mar 13, 2013 1:48 pm Date Climbed: Feb 24, 2013
Cold, Windy DayHiked up the wash to the first saddle, then out on the summit ridge. A fair amount of bushwacking, but the worst of it could be avoided by careful route finding. The summit ridge has plenty of rocky outcroppings to be negotiated. The wind was blowing in the vicinity of 30 mph, and I don't think the temperature ever got much above freezing. A party of two others from LVMC made the trip.
mrchad9 - Mar 8, 2011 1:47 pm Date Climbed: Mar 6, 2011
Normal RouteTook the 4x4 up 0.7 miles from the main road and camped for the night, a nice spot with a fire ring there. A bit brushier than I expected throughout the hike but nice views overall. Very scenic on the drive out with the lighting and coulds I had at the time.
I came in from the west and out to the east. The road has a significant washout just to the east of the trailhead, would think a 4x4 is required to get around it.
Bob Burd - Mar 28, 2007 8:35 pm Date Climbed: Mar 16, 2007
Standard DPS routeWith Evan Rasmussen, climbing Stewart Point in the afternoon. Warm day, but not too hot. Trip Report
Matthew Holliman - Mar 4, 2007 4:17 pm Date Climbed: Feb 24, 2007
Standard routeThis is a mediocre peak, but good company (Rick and CP) and nice (albeit cool) weather made for an enjoyable outing nonetheless. We found a fair amount of brush and some fresh snow on the approach, followed by an enjoyable hike along the ridgeline.
Shorter than expected (we finished by lunch time), which meant that Rick and I had time to drive around to Avawatz and tag that one in the afternoon. (To compensate, that one took us longer than expected.)
MoapaPk - Mar 15, 2007 12:28 am
Re: Standard routeYou should try it when the temps are at least 30F warmer. Much more stimulating. ;^) And next time, wear shorts. }:-)
Seriously, I'm glad you guys found something to enjoy. I'm still content to call this hike "arduous", to keep people from underestimating the hike. With barely over 2500' net elevation gain, it doesn't seem like much, but once that ridge gets warm... the desert sun has no mercy. The hot route back, over all those lumps...
cp0915 - Feb 26, 2007 2:50 pm Date Climbed: Feb 24, 2007
standard routeWith Rick K and Matthew H. Just under 5 1/2 hours car-to-car, including 1/2 hour on the summit. While I then went home to make some calzones, the other two maniacs went on to do Avawatz.
DonnieB - Sep 11, 2006 9:38 pm Date Climbed: May 3, 2006
Kingston PeakNice hike and bushwhack on the way in and found more user friendly and scenic way down. Slideshow and GPS details at http://healthshaman.com/s/Kingston-Peak-5-3-06/
MoapaPk - May 4, 2006 9:20 am Date Climbed: May 3, 2006
A long day from VegasThe Siberian, the Surfer and I met in Vegas at 7AM, and were at the "trailhead" ~8:30 AM. Including 1 hr 15 min rest at the summit, this 8-mile hike took us 8 hours. It was unseasonably warm, but the main issues were: the rather thick brush for the first and last 2 miles, and the ruggedness of the ridge. There is a very rough cairned path on much of the ridge, but the path is easy to lose. Other complications: The Siberian got sunscreen in her eyes, which blinded her for 1/2 the trip; and the Siberian and the Surfer were working on 3 and 2 hours sleep, respectively.
link: Kingston from North
streeyyr - Jan 5, 2005 9:51 am Date Climbed: Oct 15, 2002
Kingston PeakA classic Mojave Desert peak located far off the beaten path.