The next day, we decided we’d go over to Precipice Lake and camp there. I identified nearby Eagle Scout Peak as a suitable objective for the afternoon, assuming the weather held. Dad was feeling a bit worn out from the previous two days and said he’d have to think about it, but may have to pass on the peak.

Black Kaweah from Kaweah Gap.

It only took about an hour to get over to Precipice Lake, so we had our pick of campsites. We chose one that was off the lake and trail a little bit overlooking the canyon below. At about noon I set off for Eagle Scout Peak, with Dad sticking around camp.

I hiked back across Kaweah Gap, dropped down the east side a bit and then left the trail and traversed talus and grassy slopes to the east slope of Eagle Scout Peak. Then I started climbing up over talus into the bowl east of the peak. After a while I realized I was accidentally heading up the small peak. Directly south of Eagle Scout Peak is another, very similar looking mountain, though the southern peak is a bit different. I checked Gaia and corrected course, veering northwest towards Eagle Scout Peak. I was on the summit at 1:15.

Looking south at the false peak from the ridge of Eagle Scout Peak.

Summit panorama from Eagle Scout Peak looking north.

The summit of Eagle Scout Peak is an impressively large rock that hangs over the edge of a tall cliff that drops down to Precipice Lake. It is quite an impressive sight.

Lake 9839 and some of the impressive cliffs along Eagle Scout Creek.

Hamilton Lakes and the High Sierra Trail, and Angel Wings above.

Looking north towards Elizabeth Pass, Triple Divide Peak, and beyond. Even Mount Goddard is visible in the distance.

Northeast towards Nine Lakes Basin and some of the peaks beyond.

The summit register had a lot of entries from various eagle scout troupes from all over America, as well as a four page bilingual monologue authored by a Brazilian man. I added my name, being sure not to use too much space, and then made my way down. It was very easy to descend the talus on the upper slope of the peak. Down lower it was a bit steeper and rockier, and the traverse across to Kaweah Gap did me no favors. I actually dropped earlier, figuring it’d be easier to drop down and hike up the trail to Kaweah Gap.

The afternoon light and vantage point just west of Kaweah Gap was especially beautiful, so I took many pictures.

Eagle Scout Peak and Precipice Lake. Once back at camp I took a well-earned swim in beautiful Precipice Lake.

Looking down over Hamilton Lakes towards Angels Wings and Alta Peak.

A curious Pika hanging around near our camp.

Sometime in the later afternoon a small thunderstorm broke out and we had to hide in the tent for an hour or so before it rained itself out.

Near the end of the thunderstorm as the sun drifted lower.

Eagle Scout Peak high above Precipice Lake.

Sunset over Hamilton Lake.