Pilot Knob from Hutchinson Meadow

[Knute]

Hey all, my Wife and I are looking to bag Pilot Knob as a side trip on our South Lake/North Lake semi loop hike. We already have permits to do the route starting at South Lake trail head,so we would be coming in from the West. Is there an easy route from, say Hutchinson Meadow or Piute Creek Canyon? It would save us some backtracking and off trail time. This would be our first off-trail peak in the West. All of our peak bagging experience is in the East, mainly in the Adirondacks. Thanks for any advice.

[maverick]

The only non technical route, class 2, is from the saddle above Knob Lake. The easiest route is to head into Humphreys Basin and stay high going between Tomahawk and Lower Desolation Lake, continue on past Square Lake staying above Knob Lake and up to the saddle.
Any route heading up from Piute or Hutchinson requires good route finding to avoid class 3, it is very steep terrain, ascending would be recommended over descending, especially near the top.

[Knute]

Thanks for the quick reply. Looks to be about 3.5 miles as the crow flies, is that pretty easy terrain, or is there a lot of talus to contend with? I'm trying to figure how much time it would take for the round trip.

[maverick]

Here's a link with some helpful photo's: http://www.summitpost.org/pilot-knob/images/p-736249

The terrain only gets a little rough, talus, as you ascend the peak itself.

[cefire]

I just tagged Pilot from Hutchinson meadow on Monday - using a SSW approach. I do not recommend it as this route is extremely steep and requires considerable navigation as you head upwards (although it is more "direct"). Near the summit block, you must traverse far to the East (toward the saddle) to avoid exposed class 3 moves, which are ample on the more obvious western ridge line.

[Knute]

Thanks again guys. This looks like it is worth backtracking if we have the time.