Pilot Mountain

ALPINE

MAP

Pilot Mountain is a minor summit along an eastern spur of the Continental Divide, about 0.7 miles south of Mount Alice. Its 900-foot south face forms the north side of the cirque above Falcon Lake and provides a couple of interesting routes of moderate difficulty. Approach: To reach the south face, hike the Thunder Lake Trail to Thunder Lake, and then continue around to the northwest shore. Follow a vague path west-northwest up the drainage to Falcon Lake (about five hours from the trailhead) and scramble up talus to the bottom of the south face. It is also possible to follow the trail to Lake of Many Winds, then contour north and east to routes on the south face. Use the Lion Lake Trail to reach the northeast side. Descent: From the summit, reverse the Northeast Slope route. It is also is possible to scramble west to the Continental Divide (an elevation gain of 800 feet) and return to Wild Basin via BoulderGrand Pass. This is the best route if a return to Falcon Lake and Thunder Lake is desired. It is difficult to reach Falcon Lake by descending Northeast Slope.