Traverse: El Diente - Mount Wilson
Date: 09/18/2024
Partners: Alex Neal(Junior), Kristi Henes, Mike Poland
Trailhead: Kilpacker
Summits:
* El Diente
* Pin Point
* West Wilson
* Mount Wilson
Distance: 12.3m
Elevation Gain: 4750ft
Duration: 9hrs 20min
GPX
El Diente 14ers.com Page
Pin Point 14ers.com Page
West Wilson 14ers.com Page
Mount Wilson 14ers.com Page
Traversing from El Diente to Mount Wilson is one of my favorite 14er routes... so much so that I have done it 3 times now. However, for some reason, I only climbed Pin Point on my last trip. Pin Point was a highlight and worth going back for. If you stay ridge proper for the traverse, the rock is solid, exposed and a mix of class 3, 4 and low 5.
![El diente wilson traverse 3 01]()
12.3m - 4750ft - 9hrs 20min
![El diente wilson traverse 3 01h]()
El Diente and Mount Wilson on approach from Kilpacker
![El diente wilson traverse 3 02]()
The trail to Kilpacker Basin is well maintained
![El diente wilson traverse 3 03]()
Once through the trees the basin opens up dramatically. El Diente towers above
![El diente wilson traverse 3 04]()
![El diente wilson traverse 3 05]()
Above treeline the basin becomes rocky
![El diente wilson traverse 3 06]()
Although there are tedious moments the ascent to El Diente's east ridge isn't too bad
![El diente wilson traverse 3 07]()
Looking up to El Diente's summit ridge
![El diente wilson traverse 3 08]()
The ridge proper is stable and exposed
![El diente wilson traverse 3 09]()
After tagging El Diente's summit we traversed to Mount Wilson over Pin Point and West Wilson
![El diente wilson traverse 3 10]()
The scramble on ridge proper is stable and exposed with a mix of class 3, 4 and low 5
![El diente wilson traverse 3 11]()
Junior sticking to the ridge
![El diente wilson traverse 3 12]()
Making may way down from El Diente
![El diente wilson traverse 3 13]()
Junior on a random ridge tower
![El diente wilson traverse 3 14]()
Pin Point in the sights
![El diente wilson traverse 3 15]()
Pin Point looking intimidating
![El diente wilson traverse 3 16]()
Pin Point's west ridge is solid, blocky, exposed and fun to climb... probably goes at 5.0
![El diente wilson traverse 3 17]()
Junior on Pin Point
![El diente wilson traverse 3 18]()
Pin Point's east ridge is also solid and blocky - probably goes at class 3.
![El diente wilson traverse 3 19]()
The fun continues along the ridge to West Wilson
![El diente wilson traverse 3 20]()
Looking back to El Diente
![El diente wilson traverse 3 21]()
Down climb from here to the crux chimney section of the traverse
![El diente wilson traverse 3 22]()
Alex scrambling towards Mount Wilson... high exposure of both sides of the ridge
![El diente wilson traverse 3 23]()
The knife edgy ridge to Mount Wilson
![El diente wilson traverse 3 24]()
![El diente wilson traverse 3 25]()
Eastern views to Lizard Head and the San Miguels from Wilson's summit
![El diente wilson traverse 3 26]()
Wilson Peak (L) - Gladstone (R)
![El diente wilson traverse 3 27]()
Mount Wilson summit selfie with the traverse to El Diente behind - a 4 peak day!
![El diente wilson traverse 3 28]()
Alex on Mount Wilson's summit 14er finisher in September of 2010. Lizard Head in the distance
![El diente wilson traverse 3 29]()
The walk out of Kilpacker Basin back to the trail was rocky and tedious
![El diente wilson traverse 3 30]()
Much better once back on the trail
