Overview
This route climbs a line of snow that turns thin and steep just to the climber's right of Mt. Wilson. It spits you out on the ridge very close to the end of the traverse from El Diente, after which you can scramble the rest of the 4th class section to the summit
Mt. Wilson and El Diente as seen from Wilson Peak. Taken late June 2017 El
Getting There
This climb/ski is best approached from either Navaho lakes or the Rock of Ages approach.
Route Description
The route starts at 11,250' at Navaho Lake. Hike along the trail that leads up to Wilson Peak, and leave it near 12,000' and hike directly south to begin the climb. Climb moderate (~30 degrees) snow for roughly 1000' where the slope slowly steepens to high 40 degrees with short sections in the mid 50s. The final pitch narrows and then eases back to 40 degrees for the last hundred vertical feet before the ridge. From here turn left and follow the established and well-cairned 4th class route along the traverse to the summit. We measured a max slope angle of 55 degrees on the way down, with some moderately technical sections, I would rate it D16