Hike Kingston Peak Kingston Range Wilderness BLM, CA

Apr 02, 2020 — Kingston Peak has a few redeeming qualities, but they were overshadowed by the bushwhacking and deer ticks I was less than excited to encounter. Better vehicles could make it up from the attached trailhead coordinates by about a half mile, but I was content to walk. The dirt road would be the only pleasantness I'd encounter anyway, but soon I was walking through brushy and flat terrain heading south to the major drainage coming down from Kingston Peak. I kept a smile on and played some music and I pretended I was enjoying myself, but then the brush got thicker as I entered the drainage. And then I looked down and saw 30+ ticks on my leg. This has happened to me many times before, where I swipe by a tick nest, but only when hiking in the east. I thought I would be clear of ticks by being out in the California desert. Closer inspection confirmed they were deer ticks. I was about ready to call it a day and cross Kingston Peak off my list for good, but I endured. I did get a few more ticks, but no more nests. I tried staying out of the drainage a few times, but it was just as gnarly as staying within, so I mostly kept to the watercourse. The drainage slowly began to ascend and finally the brush started to clear as the slope became more severe. A social trail materialized and led me to the north ridge.

The views along the north ridge of Kingston Peak as I continued south got me in better spirits. The brush was mostly gone now, instead replaced by the occasional Class 2 obstacles of rock outcroppings. On my ascent, I did a few Class 3 moves, but was able to avoid them on my way back. So, it's a Class 2 route with a little route-finding. The ridge passes over a few bumps, adding a fair amount of vertical gain to the day. For the most part, I stayed just left or right of the ridge crest, since some of the obstacles were large rock fins difficult to navigate.

The final slope to the summit required some Class 2 scrambling on the left of the ridge. A social trail made it easier, wrapping around a bit before make the final ascent. Nice views of the desert, but I was already dreading the many ticks I'd accumulate on my way back.