GENERAL OVERVIEW: Connects Humphrey Basin with French Lakes via Knob Lake to Alsace Lake.
CLASS/DIFFICULTY: Class 1/2 to the south, 2/2.5 on the north
LOCATION: Sierra National Forest. HST Map 37.27383, -118.75116
ELEVATION: 11,570ft
USGS TOPO MAP (7.5'): Straddles Mt Tom & Mt Hilgard Maps
ROUTE DESCRIPTION:
From Alsace/Chevaux lake ascend towards the obvious saddle. The waypoints here are for an alternate ascent route from Alsace/Chevaux that has a lot more solid ground than the typical pilot pass on the other side of the saddle, it has a nice sandy use trail but more small talus - I'd probably take that for a descent, and people that want something that's a bit simpler if sloggier can eyeball the more commonly used option as well.
Once at the saddle it's a straightforward Class 2 ascent to Pilot Knob, or a simple drop down to Knob Lake via open sandy terrain with some small trees and boulders.
- my waypoints, no needle to be threaded but I'm short on photos
- from Alsace lake the saddle is along the right edge of the photo
- typical scramble shot - was taken from my camera while attached to the peak capture plate hence the poor composition. that's about as hard as it gets.
- looking back at Alsace near the top
- easy open to Knob lake