The first king, Gaspar, is neither the longest climb nor the steepest, but he is no pushover either. Starting next to I-15 in Hatch Park, his first ½ mile is a mild 2% or 3% warm-up. His next ¾ of mile get really interesting as he kicks up to double digit grades that max out at 14%. Gaspar then gives you a 3% grade breather before subjecting you to more double digit grades to the summit.
The second king, Melchior, is the shortest of the kings, but overlook him at your own risk. Fully half of Melchior is at grades over 16% with sections of it at 20%. His roads are so steep that if the plows don’t get to them early enough in a snowstorm, they can’t plow them because they become too dangerous.
Melchior’s takes off from near the base of Gaspar with a gentleness that belies his true ugliness. Abruptly you will turn right and be on 10% or greater grades that don’t let up until you reach his
PROCEED WITH HONOR!
Participation fee is $35 ($40 on race day) and includes the official Three Kings t-shirt as a symbol of your bravery!
top. Unfortunately you won’t be able to rest on your laurels because even though the king has been defeated, you have an important choice to make; climing up over Eaglewood Loop to the finish area or going down Lacey Way to take on the 3rd King.
We have saved the best for last, Balthasar is a beast. Winding up past some of the holes of North Salt Lake’s Eaglewood Golf Course Balthasar offers beautiful views for anyone who still has enough strength to appreciate them. The pitch of Balthasar frequently alternates between double digit sections and milder 3% or 4% grades.
If you have the intestinal fortitude to get there, when you finally pass the Eaglewood Golf Course Clubhouse Balthasar gets really nasty; with grades as high as 15% you will force yourself to the high point of the event on Bountiful’s Hidden Lake Drive. From there it is all over but the bragging as you wind your way down to North Salt Lake’s Wild Rose Trailhead Park.
ROUTE MAPS
THESE KINGS ONLY BRING PAIN!
Choose a route to view the interactive google map as well as the climb grade of each route.