BobD3 - Oct 1, 2019 8:43 am Date Climbed: Sep 25, 2019
Southeast Ridge route.
Good route description on this page. Pretty straightforward, without much in the way of route finding difficulties.
The section from the tarn to the summit was scenic and enjoyable.
ALOT of equestrian activity in this area.
Summit is in need of a decent container and register.
colingregory - Feb 12, 2019 3:10 pm Date Climbed: Sep 16, 2018
Backpack
We backpacked in Saturday morning from Kennedy Meadows. Original plan was to bag this on Saturday and Granite Dome the next morning. It took us longer than expected to make it to Middle Lewis Lake, so we decided to set up camp and start fishing. My buddy had recently got a Tenkara rod and was trying his hand at fishing for the first time. I honestly didn't expect much success but after setting him up I hadn't taken ten steps before he shouted "fish on!" Laughing I helped him with the first of many Brookies then started fishing myself. With little fly experience, I ended up catching about 5 on flies. With my spin rod it was EVERY SINGLE CAST, the type of fishing that almost becomes boring.
Next morning we hiked up and bagged Black Hawk Peak, was windy up top but views were fantastic. We did not find a register. After summiting we tried to see if there were any goldens in Black Hawk Lake, but didn't see any or get a bite in about 30 minutes of casting.
Was a great trip, would head back to bag nearby peaks and experience the great fishing to be had at middle lake.
Quite a long dayhike from Kennedy Meadows, took the slabs route that Fedak describes, this was a lot of fun, and nothing harder than class 2. Quite scenic too, especially Black Hawk Lake. No register on top. Then descended down meadows and drainage to Lunch Meadow. This was nothing more than class 2 as well. 23 miles round trip, in 10 1/2 hours. TR is HERE.
A nice long dayhike from Kennedy Meadows. The route directly up to Black Hawk Lake is a bit steep and slabby but the route up to the west of the lake is a nice 2nd class route. All in all a good hike on a beautiful day.
Start from trailhead parking at 1:30am, summit 7:30am, back to trailhead 12:00pm. Used Bob Burd's trip report as a guide with some variations. Crossing the creek and route-finding in rocks are the tricky part, not the peak itself. Did not find the summit register. Missing?
Up the granite slabs of the very scenic Lewis Lake drainage then onward past Black Hawk Lake to the summit. Descended via mostly easy class 2 drainage that dumped out at Lunch Meadow. (Think this is the route described by Jesus below- and I'd also recommend that vs heading all the way around to Mosquito Pass)
LincolnB - Oct 3, 2011 9:46 am Date Climbed: Oct 1, 2011
Via Lewis Lakes
Camped & hiked from Deadman (1/2 mile from trailhead). Followed the pack trail past Relief Reservoir -- well-dusted with horse poop but not as bad as some other Sierra trails. Struck out cross-country where the Lewis Lake drainage joins Summit creek. From here to the summit was one of the most delightful Sierra scrambles I've had -- followed the drainage; walking up endless slopes of friction granite through beautiful alpine meadows and lakes. Had to use my hands only occasionally and never had exposure -- but would not do this if the rock was icy or even just wet.
Could not find a register at the summit.
GPS said 22 miles round trip. Net elevation is 4,000' but total elevation round trip is probably closer to 5,500'. Started at 5am with a headlamp at got back at sunset, 14 hours later -- yes I was slow!
There's a small friendly restaurant at the trailhead -- had a couple of beers and burger. Wonderful.
soslaw - Sep 18, 2011 10:25 am Date Climbed: Sep 15, 2011
Black Hawk
After the horse turd trail to Lunch Meadows it was refreshing scrambling on granite slabs. Although the volcanic summit was anti climatic the descent on cascading granite slabs via Black Hawk lake and Lewis lakes drainage was wonderful.
Jesus Malverde - Aug 30, 2009 2:33 pm Date Climbed: Aug 29, 2009
via Mosquito Pass
Great views and interesting area. Deer tracks along the summit ridge at 10,000+ ft. Strange. Wanna save a time and mileage? Take the notch/canyon on the most westerly side of Lunch Meadow up to Black Hawk. There's a light use trail from this canyon up to the open meadows higher up on the route. We climbed from Mosquito Pass to Black Hawk and came down this suggested route. Mosquito Pass route is ok, but it's a couple of additional miles and more time burned on your leisurely 22-mile day hike. Enjoy!
mrchad9 - Aug 17, 2009 4:56 pm Date Climbed: Aug 16, 2009
Black Hawk
Great 2-day trip, camped along Summit Creek and then climbed up via Lewis Lakes. Returned more directly using the North Slopes.
Route Climbed: North Slopes from Lunch Meadow Date Climbed: August 2005
An attempt with my 9 year old in the tow. We made it to just over 10K, would have summited it if I was more certain of her capabilities, did not want to push her too hard. Also explored Relief Peak from Lunch Meadow, camped there for 3 nights.
Route Climbed: From Black Hawk Lake Date Climbed: July 3, 2005
Traversed to Black Hawk Lake from Upper Lewis Lake and then climbed up the slopes to the summit. Nearly complete snow coverage the whole way. Severe sun cups made travel on the snow difficult. Descended to Sheep Camp.
Route Climbed: North Slopes Date Climbed: May 6, 2004
An enjoyable dayhike with Matthew, taking the direct route from Saucer Meadow. Lots of snow above the meadow, making the route much easier. Trip Report
Route Climbed: SW ridge Date Climbed: August 17, 2003
We camped at Upper Lewis Lake and followed the ridge up just south of Middle Lewis Lake as described in Ben Schifrin's guide book. We climbed each of the 4 unnamed peaks between Granite Dome and Blackhawk Mountain, with Blackhawk as the finale. Great day of climbing under mostly clear skies! There's plenty of water available from snow melt and small but clear lakes, even in August. The final ascent is an easy walk up from the south.
Route Climbed: SE Ridge (ascent) / North Slopes (descent) Date Climbed: July 26, 2003
This is a nice dayhike. I thought I was in for a boring walk-up with nice views, and it seemed I was... until the descent, when things became more interesting. I really wished I'd had my rock shoes with me.
I was planning on taking Pete Yamagata's route up, but I never spotted anything recognizable as Saucer Meadow. So I didn't realise I was at Lunch Meadow until I reached the Mosquito Pass trail junction. By that point, it seemed easiest to continue up and tag the peak from the east.
Romain - Oct 26, 2020 6:02 pm Date Climbed: Oct 24, 2020
East to West traverseTrip report
BobD3 - Oct 1, 2019 8:43 am Date Climbed: Sep 25, 2019
Southeast Ridge route.Good route description on this page. Pretty straightforward, without much in the way of route finding difficulties.
The section from the tarn to the summit was scenic and enjoyable.
ALOT of equestrian activity in this area.
Summit is in need of a decent container and register.
colingregory - Feb 12, 2019 3:10 pm Date Climbed: Sep 16, 2018
BackpackWe backpacked in Saturday morning from Kennedy Meadows. Original plan was to bag this on Saturday and Granite Dome the next morning. It took us longer than expected to make it to Middle Lewis Lake, so we decided to set up camp and start fishing. My buddy had recently got a Tenkara rod and was trying his hand at fishing for the first time. I honestly didn't expect much success but after setting him up I hadn't taken ten steps before he shouted "fish on!" Laughing I helped him with the first of many Brookies then started fishing myself. With little fly experience, I ended up catching about 5 on flies. With my spin rod it was EVERY SINGLE CAST, the type of fishing that almost becomes boring.
Next morning we hiked up and bagged Black Hawk Peak, was windy up top but views were fantastic. We did not find a register. After summiting we tried to see if there were any goldens in Black Hawk Lake, but didn't see any or get a bite in about 30 minutes of casting.
Was a great trip, would head back to bag nearby peaks and experience the great fishing to be had at middle lake.
trexkerry - Jul 26, 2015 4:31 pm Date Climbed: Jul 25, 2015
Lewis Lakes routeQuite a long dayhike from Kennedy Meadows, took the slabs route that Fedak describes, this was a lot of fun, and nothing harder than class 2. Quite scenic too, especially Black Hawk Lake. No register on top. Then descended down meadows and drainage to Lunch Meadow. This was nothing more than class 2 as well. 23 miles round trip, in 10 1/2 hours. TR is HERE.
wmolland - Jul 8, 2015 7:56 pm Date Climbed: Jul 5, 2015
North slopesA nice long dayhike from Kennedy Meadows. The route directly up to Black Hawk Lake is a bit steep and slabby but the route up to the west of the lake is a nice 2nd class route. All in all a good hike on a beautiful day.
mengbo - Jul 8, 2012 12:01 pm Date Climbed: Jul 7, 2012
Day Hike from Kennedy MeadowsStart from trailhead parking at 1:30am, summit 7:30am, back to trailhead 12:00pm. Used Bob Burd's trip report as a guide with some variations. Crossing the creek and route-finding in rocks are the tricky part, not the peak itself. Did not find the summit register. Missing?
fedak - Jul 6, 2012 8:15 pm Date Climbed: Jul 5, 2012
via Lewis LakesUp the granite slabs of the very scenic Lewis Lake drainage then onward past Black Hawk Lake to the summit. Descended via mostly easy class 2 drainage that dumped out at Lunch Meadow. (Think this is the route described by Jesus below- and I'd also recommend that vs heading all the way around to Mosquito Pass)
Pics and commentary are here.
LincolnB - Oct 3, 2011 9:46 am Date Climbed: Oct 1, 2011
Via Lewis LakesCamped & hiked from Deadman (1/2 mile from trailhead). Followed the pack trail past Relief Reservoir -- well-dusted with horse poop but not as bad as some other Sierra trails. Struck out cross-country where the Lewis Lake drainage joins Summit creek. From here to the summit was one of the most delightful Sierra scrambles I've had -- followed the drainage; walking up endless slopes of friction granite through beautiful alpine meadows and lakes. Had to use my hands only occasionally and never had exposure -- but would not do this if the rock was icy or even just wet.
Could not find a register at the summit.
GPS said 22 miles round trip. Net elevation is 4,000' but total elevation round trip is probably closer to 5,500'. Started at 5am with a headlamp at got back at sunset, 14 hours later -- yes I was slow!
There's a small friendly restaurant at the trailhead -- had a couple of beers and burger. Wonderful.
soslaw - Sep 18, 2011 10:25 am Date Climbed: Sep 15, 2011
Black HawkAfter the horse turd trail to Lunch Meadows it was refreshing scrambling on granite slabs. Although the volcanic summit was anti climatic the descent on cascading granite slabs via Black Hawk lake and Lewis lakes drainage was wonderful.
Jesus Malverde - Aug 30, 2009 2:33 pm Date Climbed: Aug 29, 2009
via Mosquito PassGreat views and interesting area. Deer tracks along the summit ridge at 10,000+ ft. Strange. Wanna save a time and mileage? Take the notch/canyon on the most westerly side of Lunch Meadow up to Black Hawk. There's a light use trail from this canyon up to the open meadows higher up on the route. We climbed from Mosquito Pass to Black Hawk and came down this suggested route. Mosquito Pass route is ok, but it's a couple of additional miles and more time burned on your leisurely 22-mile day hike. Enjoy!
mrchad9 - Aug 17, 2009 4:56 pm Date Climbed: Aug 16, 2009
Black HawkGreat 2-day trip, camped along Summit Creek and then climbed up via Lewis Lakes. Returned more directly using the North Slopes.
Michael Graupe - Oct 19, 2005 9:14 pm
Route Climbed: North Slopes Date Climbed: July 24, 2004Nice dayhike from Kennedy Meadows. Fun routefinding through the cliffs below Black Hawk Lake. Great wildflowers.
Bill562 - Aug 29, 2005 6:05 pm
Route Climbed: North Slopes from Lunch Meadow Date Climbed: August 2005An attempt with my 9 year old in the tow. We made it to just over 10K, would have summited it if I was more certain of her capabilities, did not want to push her too hard. Also explored Relief Peak from Lunch Meadow, camped there for 3 nights.
derbilly - Jul 6, 2005 1:47 pm
Route Climbed: From Black Hawk Lake Date Climbed: July 3, 2005Traversed to Black Hawk Lake from Upper Lewis Lake and then climbed up the slopes to the summit. Nearly complete snow coverage the whole way. Severe sun cups made travel on the snow difficult. Descended to Sheep Camp.
Matthew Holliman - May 24, 2004 1:37 pm
Route Climbed: North Slopes Date Climbed: May 6, 2004The peak was much easier this time around. Great hike--May is my favourite time of year to visit this area.
Bob Burd - May 21, 2004 11:32 am
Route Climbed: North Slopes Date Climbed: May 6, 2004An enjoyable dayhike with Matthew, taking the direct route from Saucer Meadow. Lots of snow above the meadow, making the route much easier. Trip Report
Alpinist - Aug 31, 2003 5:01 pm
Route Climbed: SW ridge Date Climbed: August 17, 2003We camped at Upper Lewis Lake and followed the ridge up just south of Middle Lewis Lake as described in Ben Schifrin's guide book. We climbed each of the 4 unnamed peaks between Granite Dome and Blackhawk Mountain, with Blackhawk as the finale. Great day of climbing under mostly clear skies! There's plenty of water available from snow melt and small but clear lakes, even in August. The final ascent is an easy walk up from the south.
Matthew Holliman - Aug 26, 2003 12:06 am
Route Climbed: SE Ridge (ascent) / North Slopes (descent) Date Climbed: July 26, 2003This is a nice dayhike. I thought I was in for a boring walk-up with nice views, and it seemed I was... until the descent, when things became more interesting. I really wished I'd had my rock shoes with me.
I was planning on taking Pete Yamagata's route up, but I never spotted anything recognizable as Saucer Meadow. So I didn't realise I was at Lunch Meadow until I reached the Mosquito Pass trail junction. By that point, it seemed easiest to continue up and tag the peak from the east.