Kingston Peak
Note: this was not quite an abominable hike for me, but it might be an abominable hike for you, so if you find yourself tempted by these words or photos, please keep that in mind!
7335' Kingston Peak is a rarely-visited desert giant out near the California-Nevada border. Officially, Kingston ranks 23rd for California topographical prominence, but the peak's "felt" prominence is even greater as it tops a compact, isolated range surrounded by desert floors as low as 600' to the west and generally in the low 2000's in all other directions.
Kingston Peak's classic island-in-the-sky character makes for truly spectacular horizon-to-horizon views—though, as you've probably guessed, those views do come at a price.
For this adventure I teamed up with the formidable Mark Jiroch, who has apparently run out of things to climb in the Sierra and is now working his way eastward.
By reputation, Kingston is fierce. The established route approaches from the north, a mile or so west of Tecopa Pass. Round-trip to the summit and back is a modest nine miles, and you start around five thousand feet in elevation, but don't be fooled. The route punches well above its weight.
There's no trail, there are constant route-finding challenges, and you begin in a deceptively-mild drainage that soon becomes brush-choked and punishingly-steep. After that comes the hard part: a winding, grinding, up-and-down ridge where pace is measured in hours per mile.
It's important to start and stay in the correct drainage, which connects to what I'll guardedly call the midpoint of Kingston Peak's north ridge.
From your car, aim south-southeast and keep to the left (east) whenever the main drainage splits.
Until you get into the gully-proper, the brush isn't bad. Eventually, the drainage narrows and things do take on a bit of a gut-check quality. You can try the sides of the gully to get above the brush, but in practice, staying close to the middle is probably best.
Higher up, the route steepens considerably, but the brush moderates. Both Mark and I rated the lower section as "not the worst we've ever seen," but our scales are a bit skewed. Also: there are ticks in this area. At least one came home with me.
Gain the ridge at 6770' and turn around and marvel at what you've just climbed.
Head southwest around a rocky pinnacle and ascend a nice, easy slope leading to your first good look at Kingston Peak's true summit.
From here, where you need to go is obvious and also demoralizing. This is probably a good time to check your watch and ask yourself if you have enough remaining daylight to make a go of it. Do you really want to descend that brush-choked drainage in the dark?
The ridge itself is... complicated. As the crow flies, the summit is only 1.2 miles away. But you are not a crow, and the only thing that will be flying up here is time.
In terms of climbing difficulty: we were expecting the ridge to be worse. In terms of pace: it is very slow going.
We found occasional cairns which invariably were placed only in obvious locations. On the plus side, if you're willing to scramble, the ridge rarely closes out whichever way you go, so your left-right-or-over? choices are somewhat flexible.
A few hours or so later, if you're lucky, you'll traverse past the final notch and gaze at last at Kingston's summit, close enough to kiss.
It's a fun scramble, and then there's no place higher. Yes, it's true, you do have to go back down. But you won't want to.
From Kingston's summit, Charleston Peak, Nevada is just a short hop to the north; southeast is Clark mountain. On the southern horizon are San Jacinto and San Gorgonio. You'll find Avawatz to the southwest and Telescope Peak to the northwest.
It never fails to astonish me how mountainous California is. The Kingstons are just one more giant California range you've probably never heard of.
Absolutely not for summer months or casual hikers—this is a special undertaking, best reserved for experienced desert hikers.
— November 8, 2025
Andy Lewicky is the author and creator of SierraDescents
Dan Conger November 9, 2025 at 2:53 pm
Another incredible marathon hike. Looks brutal, but worth it.