I was able to tag along on this one and go up a southwest couloir up to the south ridge and then to Hayden Peak. A ton of snow in July! It was an amazing time and a great experience.
7/05/11- Did this bad boy from the Mirror Lake Highway. We were on snow the entire way until we hit the Ridge. There was SOOO much snow! The Rock is amazing here. It took us 4 hrs up and down.
runbyu1 - Nov 8, 2010 4:27 pm Date Climbed: Jul 10, 2009
Ran/Scrambled up from
Ran/Scrambled up from Ryder and McPheter where we were camped. Tough run and some pretty hairy sections on the way up but totally awesome. All alone on top of course. Injured my foot pretty bad before the trip and used a trekking pole to keep pressure off of it but it was shot on the way down so we ended up taking a very steep and somewhat dangerous 1,000 foot glissade right down a shoot toward Ryder lake. Scary and VERY FUN.
JonFinch - Aug 19, 2009 9:30 pm Date Climbed: Aug 16, 2009
Simply Awesome
If you only have a few hours to kill up on the Mirror Lake highway skip Bald Mountain and do this hike! We ascended via the south ridge from the mirror lake highway side. The scrambling starts at the beginning and doesn't let up til the end. Views are spectacular. Only wish it had taken longer. Next time I think I'll tie in Agassiz or Kletting or the peak just east of Hayden.
apachedino - Aug 26, 2007 10:49 pm Date Climbed: Aug 26, 2007
Quick fun scramble
After camping the night before lower down the canyon we decided to make a late run up Hayden as there was not a cloud in the sky. We made it up fine but on the ridge down it started hailing and scared us for a few minutes before it stopeed. The weather changes so fast out there because 10 minutes later it was sunny for the rest of the day. Great scramble with nice exposure though, plus a quick approach.
Jeremy Franchow - Aug 19, 2006 9:16 am Date Climbed: Aug 17, 2006
Route climbed: South Ridge
Had great weather, so after summitting Mt. Agassiz, traversed the ridge and climbed Hayden. First time. Like when climbing any other peak in this area, not one soul encountered. Amazing stuff!
seth@LOKI - Jul 21, 2006 1:27 am Date Climbed: Aug 14, 2005
Tried from East
Weather turned, Randi wasn't into it and the scree down was bad enpough for her ein hind sight. I would suggest returning back down the lower southern ridge we approached it by.
mtn runr - May 29, 2006 2:16 am Date Climbed: Jul 8, 1989
Hayden from Butterfly Lake
Have run up many times while my wife and kids fished at Butterfly Lake, but on this date I made it to the summit in 1 hour 4 minutes, a personal best.
Route Climbed: South Ridge Date Climbed: July 12, 1969
A beautiful morning climb with the Wasatch Mountain Club. One of the guys surprised the group by pulling a watermellon out of his pack on the top - great lunch amid awsome views.
Route Climbed: South Ridge Date Climbed: Oct. 8, 2005
What a great mountain. The climb is fast and enjoyable. The view into the Stillwater Fork and the surrounding peaks is spectacular. We just sat there in awe watching the wind ripple across the lakes and the birds buzz over the ridges. The views from the top are awesome. We noted 6 other peaks that we could see that are now on our list to summit. Inspiring stuff.
The upper section of Hayden Peak is tremendous fun. The scrambling is simple and enjoyable, and there are a number of Class 5 routes that you can take to spice things up on the last summit tower.
We started at 7am and returned at 12pm. I would say our pace was average or a little slower than average, so hopefully this gives you a gauge of how quickly you could summit and return if speed is necessary.
Afternoon thunderstorms are very very common. Even in October we could see one building all morning and it finally hit just as we drove out. Just be observant and start early.
Route Climbed: South Ridge, West Chimneys Date Climbed: Aug 10, 2003, Sept 18, 2004, many other times
This is a great day hike in the Uintas. We started from Highline Trail and climbed up the ridge. The upper part of the mountain has some fun scrambling. From the top you could also continue on the ridge in many directions maybe climbing Mount Agassiz or Kletting Peak. At the time none of my hiking partners was very interested in that idea. Everytime we have been hit by a rain storm on the way down.
I don't recommend this route, but the one I took is from Hayden Pass to the prominent "gunsight" notch north of the peak. The ridge has some good scrambling, but the tough part was ascending straight up the talus chute to the notch.
At the time I was working as a backpacking guide at East Fork Bear River. I had one of the troop leaders drop me off at Hayden Pass on their way back to SLC. From there I climbed the peak, down to Kermsha Lake, and down to Christmas Meadows and over the Bear River Smiths Fork Trail to EFBR. Two days.
Route Climbed: South Ridge Date Climbed: August 04
A cool 6 hour day during a window of good weather; we were pretty lucky to miss the rain, which just started as we reached the parking lot. Hayden is a fun climb over lots of scattered boulders. A good climb for the average climber.
Route Climbed: Christmas Meadows / Ryder Lake Date Climbed: 9/2/01
Climbed during a backpack trip to Ryder Lake. We weren't sure of the route and ended up making it much more difficult than it needed to be (learned this on the descent). I'm sure it would have been a fun scramble if it was't for the fact I thought we would fall to our deaths. Bailed off the summit soon after arriving due to a hail storm.
Route Climbed: South Ridge Date Climbed: Oct. 18 2003
Swung by to climb Hayden after Eccentric. A great peak. Didn't follow around the east side, instead climbed a chimney on the south end of the ridge line.
Route Climbed: South Ridge Date Climbed: August 19, 2001
Relatively short ascent (just over 2,000 feet), but challenging scramble up steep, often loose rock with much exposure. Almost entirely route-finding, very little if any actual trail.
Garfimi - Jul 6, 2011 5:24 pm Date Climbed: Jul 5, 2011
Winter Wonderland in JulyI was able to tag along on this one and go up a southwest couloir up to the south ridge and then to Hayden Peak. A ton of snow in July! It was an amazing time and a great experience.
Mooner - Jul 6, 2011 12:28 am
Up I Go7/05/11- Did this bad boy from the Mirror Lake Highway. We were on snow the entire way until we hit the Ridge. There was SOOO much snow! The Rock is amazing here. It took us 4 hrs up and down.
runbyu1 - Nov 8, 2010 4:27 pm Date Climbed: Jul 10, 2009
Ran/Scrambled up fromRan/Scrambled up from Ryder and McPheter where we were camped. Tough run and some pretty hairy sections on the way up but totally awesome. All alone on top of course. Injured my foot pretty bad before the trip and used a trekking pole to keep pressure off of it but it was shot on the way down so we ended up taking a very steep and somewhat dangerous 1,000 foot glissade right down a shoot toward Ryder lake. Scary and VERY FUN.
JonFinch - Aug 19, 2009 9:30 pm Date Climbed: Aug 16, 2009
Simply AwesomeIf you only have a few hours to kill up on the Mirror Lake highway skip Bald Mountain and do this hike! We ascended via the south ridge from the mirror lake highway side. The scrambling starts at the beginning and doesn't let up til the end. Views are spectacular. Only wish it had taken longer. Next time I think I'll tie in Agassiz or Kletting or the peak just east of Hayden.
byates - Dec 7, 2008 10:52 pm
A long time agoIf you love scree, this is a peak for you.
apachedino - Aug 26, 2007 10:49 pm Date Climbed: Aug 26, 2007
Quick fun scrambleAfter camping the night before lower down the canyon we decided to make a late run up Hayden as there was not a cloud in the sky. We made it up fine but on the ridge down it started hailing and scared us for a few minutes before it stopeed. The weather changes so fast out there because 10 minutes later it was sunny for the rest of the day. Great scramble with nice exposure though, plus a quick approach.
Jeremy Franchow - Aug 19, 2006 9:16 am Date Climbed: Aug 17, 2006
Route climbed: South RidgeHad great weather, so after summitting Mt. Agassiz, traversed the ridge and climbed Hayden. First time. Like when climbing any other peak in this area, not one soul encountered. Amazing stuff!
seth@LOKI - Jul 21, 2006 1:27 am Date Climbed: Aug 14, 2005
Tried from EastWeather turned, Randi wasn't into it and the scree down was bad enpough for her ein hind sight. I would suggest returning back down the lower southern ridge we approached it by.
mtn runr - May 29, 2006 2:16 am Date Climbed: Jul 8, 1989
Hayden from Butterfly LakeHave run up many times while my wife and kids fished at Butterfly Lake, but on this date I made it to the summit in 1 hour 4 minutes, a personal best.
Rob Thompson - Nov 10, 2005 5:06 pm
Route Climbed: South Ridge Date Climbed: July 12, 1969A beautiful morning climb with the Wasatch Mountain Club. One of the guys surprised the group by pulling a watermellon out of his pack on the top - great lunch amid awsome views.
marauders - Oct 8, 2005 9:08 pm
Route Climbed: South Ridge Date Climbed: Oct. 8, 2005What a great mountain. The climb is fast and enjoyable. The view into the Stillwater Fork and the surrounding peaks is spectacular. We just sat there in awe watching the wind ripple across the lakes and the birds buzz over the ridges. The views from the top are awesome. We noted 6 other peaks that we could see that are now on our list to summit. Inspiring stuff.
The upper section of Hayden Peak is tremendous fun. The scrambling is simple and enjoyable, and there are a number of Class 5 routes that you can take to spice things up on the last summit tower.
We started at 7am and returned at 12pm. I would say our pace was average or a little slower than average, so hopefully this gives you a gauge of how quickly you could summit and return if speed is necessary.
Afternoon thunderstorms are very very common. Even in October we could see one building all morning and it finally hit just as we drove out. Just be observant and start early.
mountaingazelle - Apr 30, 2005 9:19 pm
Route Climbed: South Ridge, West Chimneys Date Climbed: Aug 10, 2003, Sept 18, 2004, many other timesThis is a great day hike in the Uintas. We started from Highline Trail and climbed up the ridge. The upper part of the mountain has some fun scrambling. From the top you could also continue on the ridge in many directions maybe climbing Mount Agassiz or Kletting Peak. At the time none of my hiking partners was very interested in that idea. Everytime we have been hit by a rain storm on the way down.
Scott - Dec 23, 2004 12:00 am
HaydenI don't recommend this route, but the one I took is from Hayden Pass to the prominent "gunsight" notch north of the peak. The ridge has some good scrambling, but the tough part was ascending straight up the talus chute to the notch.
At the time I was working as a backpacking guide at East Fork Bear River. I had one of the troop leaders drop me off at Hayden Pass on their way back to SLC. From there I climbed the peak, down to Kermsha Lake, and down to Christmas Meadows and over the Bear River Smiths Fork Trail to EFBR. Two days.
MikeyLPT - Oct 18, 2004 11:10 am
Route Climbed: South Ridge Date Climbed: August 04A cool 6 hour day during a window of good weather; we were pretty lucky to miss the rain, which just started as we reached the parking lot. Hayden is a fun climb over lots of scattered boulders. A good climb for the average climber.
Joseph Bullough - Jun 28, 2004 3:48 pm
Route Climbed: Christmas Meadows / Ryder Lake Date Climbed: 9/2/01Climbed during a backpack trip to Ryder Lake. We weren't sure of the route and ended up making it much more difficult than it needed to be (learned this on the descent). I'm sure it would have been a fun scramble if it was't for the fact I thought we would fall to our deaths. Bailed off the summit soon after arriving due to a hail storm.
grandwazoo - Oct 19, 2003 4:49 pm
Route Climbed: South Ridge Date Climbed: Oct. 18 2003Swung by to climb Hayden after Eccentric. A great peak. Didn't follow around the east side, instead climbed a chimney on the south end of the ridge line.
rmjwinters - Sep 3, 2003 3:32 pm
Route Climbed: West Ridge to South Slopes Date Climbed: VariousI have climbed Hayden Peak various times. It is a great hike, no trail and a little scrambling. The views are spectacular.
MrWasatch - Aug 27, 2003 11:02 am
Route Climbed: South Ridge Date Climbed: August 19, 2001Relatively short ascent (just over 2,000 feet), but challenging scramble up steep, often loose rock with much exposure. Almost entirely route-finding, very little if any actual trail.