Hayden Peak, elevation 12,479, is the located in the Uinta Mountains of northern Utah. Hayden Peak is the furthermost west peak in the High Uinta Wilderness Area and is the easiest peak to reach due to its location just off the Mirror Lake Highway.

While there is no designated trail to the summit the route is fairly straight forward. From the parking lot which serves the west terminus of the Highline Trail one simply heads east toward the ridgeline that connects Hayden Peak with the next peak east which is Mount Agassiz 12,428 ft. There is a side ridge that slopes up to the main ridge from the parking lot and will provide access to the main ridge.

As one approaches the first band of ledges circle right and ascend the valley along the southern side of this minor ridge. As the slope steepens one can climb to the top of this ascending ridge and follow it up to the larger cliff band at the base of the main ridge. Here is where the only major obstacle is located. To the left along the cliff band there is a break in the cliffs which allow access to the upper slope of the ridge. At this point a faint trail will lead to a crack. This crack in the wall can be scaled without rope but does demand your attention and using both hands and legs to crawl up through the rock. Packs should be lifted up using a 30’ length of rope. Once above the crack the slope continues steeply to the ridge top. Here too a trail of sorts exists. Ascending anywhere here will get one to the ridge top.

Once on the ridge the beautiful upper reaches of Stillwater Fork of the Bear River spread out before you. To your right are the peaks of Mount Agassiz, Spread Eagle, and Ostler. One also has an aerial view Ryder and McPheters lakes below.  Hayden Peak looms to the left. 

The ridge slopes down slightly to a saddle before climbing again. It is possible to ascend the loose scree up from the valley below to avoid the cliff crack but it is a very long steep and loose scree slope and not recommended. Following the main ridge towards Hayden one will encounter and number of ledges which can be navigated with little trouble.

After gaining significant elevation the way ahead is blocked by some cliffs that appear to be impassable.

At this point the route goes left along the slope below the cliffs. Some elevation is lost as one skirts to the left looking for a way through the cliffs. The first obvious chute/couloir may be climbable however we ascended the second one.

At the very bottom of the couloir is a short 6-8 climb up the rock from there it’s a steep slope with small ledges and talus to climb back to the ridge top. 

Once again on the ridge it flattens out some with additional ledges to climb through. At last one reaches the peak.

Here the route skirts to the rights around a shelf between the cliffs above and the cliffs below. After circling around to the eastern side of the peak the route scrambles up through the talus and boulder covered slope to the summit.

At the top of this slope one climbs up the last shallow cliff band and pops out on the top which is just to the right.

The views from here and even long the shelf below are spectacular. One can see the High Uintas stretching out to the east and the Mirror Lake Highway far below on the west.  The hike is characterized by a lot of boulder hiking and scrambling over ledges but well worth the effort. Returning down the way you came will be an adventure in reverse. The only “spooky” point for me was down climbing the cliff below the main ridge. A great day hike.