A little spicy, but way fun, and a fantastic peak. For reference my son and I compared this to Mt Borah in Idaho. If you didn’t like Chicken-Out ridge, you’ll hate Hayden.
We took a different route than those described here on SP (or on Wilhiteweb or Girl On A Hike.) We started on the same trail immediately off Highline as all the other routes, but just stuck to the most obviously-trodden (and often-cairned) path clear to the ridge. This brought us to the main North-South ridge significantly further North (by ~ ½ mile) than all of the routes that use the giant talus gully to aim for the “notch” low-point along the North-South ridge. Once on the ridge we hugged the base of the cliffs on the West side as we continued another ~600 feet North, then turned East and climbed 3 class 3 gullies in quick succession to the summit. (We missed the first, overshot a bit, then returned and found it. Don’t be in a hurry…)
On the return we followed “Option 1” on the “South Ridge” route (same as Girl On A Hike track). The extended ridge walk was delightful, but we hated the scree descent down the gully and were glad we hadn’t had to climb it.
I’ve uploaded an image of our track.
mrcox - Jan 31, 2020 7:17 pm Date Climbed: Jul 5, 2018
Hayden Peak, Utah Climb
I had long wanted to climb Hayden Peak since was close to the Mirror Lake Highway. On the day I hiked it, my original plan was to hike nearby Bald Mountain, which is much easier. When I saw Hayden Peak, however, I did a quick change of plans and decided to scope out a route on this mountain. After a steep climb up a rock-strewn gully, I finally gained the south ridge, where I became lured on towards the summit. A few things I would do differently: (1) Don't have a quick change of plans after you have told someone that you would be in another location (in my case – Bald Mountain). (2) Don't do this hike alone. (3) Wear some good, sturdy hike boots and take hiking poles with you. There was one point when I took a tumble, but luckily I wasn't injured seriously enough to hike out.
utahjimk - Aug 12, 2018 3:55 pm Date Climbed: Aug 12, 2018
south ridge route
with Wasatch Mountain Club group - thanks, Barb!
Rocky Alps - Sep 2, 2017 3:07 am Date Climbed: Sep 1, 2017
South Ridge
Got a little sidetracked at the trailhead, but made a quick correction and went up the steep talus field to the ridge. Going up wasn't too bad, but going back down later was a bit more difficult to do without knocking rocks loose. Once on the ridge, the views were awesome, with solid scrambling all the way to the top. I didn't feel the difficulty ever exceeded class 3 (we circled around to ascend the summit from the southeast side). See "A Taste of the High Uintas" trip report for details.
David Mortensen - Sep 2, 2017 12:30 am Date Climbed: Sep 1, 2017
Hayden
Short but steep. The most difficult part was getting to the main ridge that connects Hayden and Aggasiz. It was steep and loose on the way up (and down). Once on the ridge, it was really fun all the way to the summit. The summit provided really nice views of Uinta lakes and peaks.
LazyJSkwires - Aug 27, 2017 1:15 pm Date Climbed: Aug 26, 2017
Busy area
Ran into a couple of rock climbers on the way down, they were taking a break after doing the wall. Ran into another couple at the notch from the standard route, then three more backpackers making their way into the basin from the ridgeline. The storms mostly kept away, didn't stick around to see if it stayed that way
scgrant - Sep 12, 2016 11:22 pm Date Climbed: Jun 23, 2016
Agassiz/ Hayden
From Hayden Pass along with Agassiz. I first went up Agassiz and then did the fun traverse to Hayden. Got off route on the final ascent to the summit and found myself climbing some low class 5 stuff. Made it up, but a little unnerving being by myself. On the way down I picked up some cairns and the descent was a more mild class 3/4. These are a fun couple peaks to pair together with easy access from the Mirror Lake Highway.
tmtn93 - Aug 11, 2016 12:12 am Date Climbed: Aug 10, 2016
Amazing views
Climbed with mr "edge" below me (Bence). His log sums it up better than mine did but worth the effort!
edge - Aug 10, 2016 1:42 am Date Climbed: Aug 9, 2016
Route Finding
For some reason we tried getting up the final summit block from the west which is class 5 and not doable without rope for mortals but after 3hrs of trying every chute we decided to go right (east) and that's how you get to the summit. Beautiful views but cold winds.
Garon Coriz - Aug 25, 2015 8:54 pm Date Climbed: Aug 23, 2015
Great Alpine Exploration
Went up the second gully to the right of Iron Hayden Wall - 3rd class staircase all the way up to the south end of the rocky section of the ridge. Went up the 5th class variation and removed the rope dangling there. I chose to help Leave No Trace, especially when the 3rd class route is around the corner. Lost my climbing buddy, Margaret, on the way down as she waited for me to complete the route. Found her after descending all the way to the saddle. Luckily there were no storms. What a day!
Peak #150 as well!
bshirley - May 3, 2015 3:06 pm Date Climbed: Jul 25, 2001
fun peak
Nice hike with a bit of route finding and some scrambles
mattleggett - Sep 1, 2014 12:24 pm Date Climbed: Aug 15, 2014
Hayden-Agassiz
Scrambled up then ascended the crack before traversing to Agassiz on the ridge
Matt Lemke - Aug 16, 2014 6:54 pm Date Climbed: Aug 16, 2014
South Ridge via Hayden Pass
Nice morning scramble. I ascended via the 10 foot crack described by the original author. Then made the easy scramble up the ridge veering right of the summit block to hit a class 3 gully marked by cairns. With the exception of the 10 foot crack to gain the ridge (which can be avoided by heading straight up the loose talus to the notch), this route is Class 3
nhberes - Mar 5, 2014 4:27 pm Date Climbed: Jul 13, 2013
South Ridge Climb
Great day on Hayden. Started cloudy but broke to sun once on the saddle between Hayden and Agassiz. Met some friendly mountain goats near the summit as well.
utclimber - Aug 16, 2012 10:07 pm Date Climbed: Aug 11, 2012
3 peaks
First climbed up Hayden, then traversed the ridge to East Hayden. Descended into the basin and across to Agassiz before returning to the car. RT was a little more than 8 hours.
DougHemken - Aug 18, 2011 4:54 pm Date Climbed: Aug 3, 2011
S Ridge & Agassiz
Wonderful scramble, including the traverse to Agassiz
seanpeckham - Aug 8, 2011 12:14 am Date Climbed: Aug 7, 2011
South Ridge
With a near-perfect weather forecast, we got an alpine start of 11:02 AM. There is somewhat of a trail now branching to the left/east immediately after the start of the Highline Trail, but it's a bit intermittent. The county line ridge is a good route - we ascended that way - but we made the mistake of being lazy or impatient and came down the gully to the north: very nasty.
aobbard - Jul 11, 2020 9:48 pm Date Climbed: Jul 11, 2020
Easier routeA little spicy, but way fun, and a fantastic peak. For reference my son and I compared this to Mt Borah in Idaho. If you didn’t like Chicken-Out ridge, you’ll hate Hayden.
We took a different route than those described here on SP (or on Wilhiteweb or Girl On A Hike.) We started on the same trail immediately off Highline as all the other routes, but just stuck to the most obviously-trodden (and often-cairned) path clear to the ridge. This brought us to the main North-South ridge significantly further North (by ~ ½ mile) than all of the routes that use the giant talus gully to aim for the “notch” low-point along the North-South ridge. Once on the ridge we hugged the base of the cliffs on the West side as we continued another ~600 feet North, then turned East and climbed 3 class 3 gullies in quick succession to the summit. (We missed the first, overshot a bit, then returned and found it. Don’t be in a hurry…)
On the return we followed “Option 1” on the “South Ridge” route (same as Girl On A Hike track). The extended ridge walk was delightful, but we hated the scree descent down the gully and were glad we hadn’t had to climb it.
I’ve uploaded an image of our track.
mrcox - Jan 31, 2020 7:17 pm Date Climbed: Jul 5, 2018
Hayden Peak, Utah ClimbI had long wanted to climb Hayden Peak since was close to the Mirror Lake Highway. On the day I hiked it, my original plan was to hike nearby Bald Mountain, which is much easier. When I saw Hayden Peak, however, I did a quick change of plans and decided to scope out a route on this mountain. After a steep climb up a rock-strewn gully, I finally gained the south ridge, where I became lured on towards the summit. A few things I would do differently: (1) Don't have a quick change of plans after you have told someone that you would be in another location (in my case – Bald Mountain). (2) Don't do this hike alone. (3) Wear some good, sturdy hike boots and take hiking poles with you. There was one point when I took a tumble, but luckily I wasn't injured seriously enough to hike out.
utahjimk - Aug 12, 2018 3:55 pm Date Climbed: Aug 12, 2018
south ridge routewith Wasatch Mountain Club group - thanks, Barb!
Rocky Alps - Sep 2, 2017 3:07 am Date Climbed: Sep 1, 2017
South RidgeGot a little sidetracked at the trailhead, but made a quick correction and went up the steep talus field to the ridge. Going up wasn't too bad, but going back down later was a bit more difficult to do without knocking rocks loose. Once on the ridge, the views were awesome, with solid scrambling all the way to the top. I didn't feel the difficulty ever exceeded class 3 (we circled around to ascend the summit from the southeast side). See "A Taste of the High Uintas" trip report for details.
David Mortensen - Sep 2, 2017 12:30 am Date Climbed: Sep 1, 2017
HaydenShort but steep. The most difficult part was getting to the main ridge that connects Hayden and Aggasiz. It was steep and loose on the way up (and down). Once on the ridge, it was really fun all the way to the summit. The summit provided really nice views of Uinta lakes and peaks.
LazyJSkwires - Aug 27, 2017 1:15 pm Date Climbed: Aug 26, 2017
Busy areaRan into a couple of rock climbers on the way down, they were taking a break after doing the wall. Ran into another couple at the notch from the standard route, then three more backpackers making their way into the basin from the ridgeline. The storms mostly kept away, didn't stick around to see if it stayed that way
scgrant - Sep 12, 2016 11:22 pm Date Climbed: Jun 23, 2016
Agassiz/ HaydenFrom Hayden Pass along with Agassiz. I first went up Agassiz and then did the fun traverse to Hayden. Got off route on the final ascent to the summit and found myself climbing some low class 5 stuff. Made it up, but a little unnerving being by myself. On the way down I picked up some cairns and the descent was a more mild class 3/4. These are a fun couple peaks to pair together with easy access from the Mirror Lake Highway.
tmtn93 - Aug 11, 2016 12:12 am Date Climbed: Aug 10, 2016
Amazing viewsClimbed with mr "edge" below me (Bence). His log sums it up better than mine did but worth the effort!
edge - Aug 10, 2016 1:42 am Date Climbed: Aug 9, 2016
Route FindingFor some reason we tried getting up the final summit block from the west which is class 5 and not doable without rope for mortals but after 3hrs of trying every chute we decided to go right (east) and that's how you get to the summit. Beautiful views but cold winds.
Garon Coriz - Aug 25, 2015 8:54 pm Date Climbed: Aug 23, 2015
Great Alpine ExplorationWent up the second gully to the right of Iron Hayden Wall - 3rd class staircase all the way up to the south end of the rocky section of the ridge. Went up the 5th class variation and removed the rope dangling there. I chose to help Leave No Trace, especially when the 3rd class route is around the corner. Lost my climbing buddy, Margaret, on the way down as she waited for me to complete the route. Found her after descending all the way to the saddle. Luckily there were no storms. What a day!
Peak #150 as well!
bshirley - May 3, 2015 3:06 pm Date Climbed: Jul 25, 2001
fun peakNice hike with a bit of route finding and some scrambles
mattleggett - Sep 1, 2014 12:24 pm Date Climbed: Aug 15, 2014
Hayden-AgassizScrambled up then ascended the crack before traversing to Agassiz on the ridge
Matt Lemke - Aug 16, 2014 6:54 pm Date Climbed: Aug 16, 2014
South Ridge via Hayden PassNice morning scramble. I ascended via the 10 foot crack described by the original author. Then made the easy scramble up the ridge veering right of the summit block to hit a class 3 gully marked by cairns. With the exception of the 10 foot crack to gain the ridge (which can be avoided by heading straight up the loose talus to the notch), this route is Class 3
nhberes - Mar 5, 2014 4:27 pm Date Climbed: Jul 13, 2013
South Ridge ClimbGreat day on Hayden. Started cloudy but broke to sun once on the saddle between Hayden and Agassiz. Met some friendly mountain goats near the summit as well.
utclimber - Aug 16, 2012 10:07 pm Date Climbed: Aug 11, 2012
3 peaksFirst climbed up Hayden, then traversed the ridge to East Hayden. Descended into the basin and across to Agassiz before returning to the car. RT was a little more than 8 hours.
mtybumpo - Jul 24, 2012 6:00 pm Date Climbed: Jul 24, 2012
Happy Pioneer Day!One of the most fun peaks I've done. Loved the scrambling/climbing and the route finding!
jhardink - Jun 12, 2012 5:20 pm Date Climbed: Sep 27, 2008
Fun ScramblingClimbed with a friend- light snow flurry on the summit.
ZeeJay - Sep 27, 2011 6:29 pm Date Climbed: Sep 27, 2011
It's about timeThe hardest 3 mile RT hike I've ever done by far.
DougHemken - Aug 18, 2011 4:54 pm Date Climbed: Aug 3, 2011
S Ridge & AgassizWonderful scramble, including the traverse to Agassiz
seanpeckham - Aug 8, 2011 12:14 am Date Climbed: Aug 7, 2011
South RidgeWith a near-perfect weather forecast, we got an alpine start of 11:02 AM. There is somewhat of a trail now branching to the left/east immediately after the start of the Highline Trail, but it's a bit intermittent. The county line ridge is a good route - we ascended that way - but we made the mistake of being lazy or impatient and came down the gully to the north: very nasty.