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Stairway to Hayden

4th Easy Snow, Trad, Snow, Alpine, 2000 ft (606 m),  Avg: 3 from 10 votes
FA: unknown
Utah > Northeast Utah > Uinta Mountains > Hayden Peak > Iron Hayden Wall
Warning Access Issue: Located in a National Forest Fee Area DetailsDrop down

Description

If you are looking for a good day hike in the Uintas, this may be it. Allow for 2.5 - 3 hours to the summit.

Follow the approach info to the Iron Hayden Wall. From the base of the wall head right and up into a wide couloir. Hike up this couloir until it ends staying mostly on the left side and following a staircase of mostly solid rock. At the top, climb a short 4th class step on the left to get out of the couloir. Continue up a ridgeline heading for the summit (South) ridge. Follow the South ridge to the summit.

Descent: Reverse the route.

Location

Hayden Peak west face.

Protection

This route consists of mostly hiking with some scrambling and lots of exposure. In spring and early summer much of this route will be under snow. Bring appropriate gear for exposed snow climbing at that time.

Photos [Hide ALL Photos]

The general route of the Stairway to Hayden.
[Hide Photo] The general route of the Stairway to Hayden.
We had a big male goat kicking rocks down on us. Seemingly intentional.
[Hide Photo] We had a big male goat kicking rocks down on us. Seemingly intentional.
Fixed piton and rope.
[Hide Photo] Fixed piton and rope.
Looking down the actual Stairway to Hayden. Easy but exposed snow climbing.
[Hide Photo] Looking down the actual Stairway to Hayden. Easy but exposed snow climbing.
Early season snow Oct 2022. Powder makes this rather exciting, plowing through occasional thigh high drifts while scrambling/dry tooling steps. Probably better left as a spring hard packed couloir route.
[Hide Photo] Early season snow Oct 2022. Powder makes this rather exciting, plowing through occasional thigh high drifts while scrambling/dry tooling steps. Probably better left as a spring hard packed couloir…
Another view of the South Ridge Direct.
[Hide Photo] Another view of the South Ridge Direct.
Looking down the short 5th class section of the Direct South Ridge.
[Hide Photo] Looking down the short 5th class section of the Direct South Ridge.
The Direct South Ridge climbs through this exposed section of easy 5th class. Someone has placed a fixed rope here to aid in ascent/descent. As seen in this photo, the wind can render it useless.
[Hide Photo] The Direct South Ridge climbs through this exposed section of easy 5th class. Someone has placed a fixed rope here to aid in ascent/descent. As seen in this photo, the wind can render it useless.