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Skinner Peak and Wyleys Knob

Kivah Wilderness, CA Southern Sierra

Distance: 12.2 mi
Net Gain: 2,900 ft
Time: 5-7 hrs
YDS Rating: Class 2
Route: Out/Back
Peaks: 2

Effort: 4.7/10
Personality: 4/10
Beauty: 5/10
Solitude: 4.6/10

What do these mean? →

Peaks on this hike

Summits listed in route order

Skinner Peak
7,120′ elevation · 840′ prominence
Wyleys Knob
6,260′ elevation · 905′ prominence

Route map + Trailhead

Trailhead Coordinates

35.552880, -118.133480

The directions link below drops a pin on the trailhead coordinates and lets Google Maps pick the route. If the drive has rough roads or access issues that GPS nav might get wrong, I cover that in my trip report.

Trip report

May 24, 2020 — I started at the Bird Spring Pass Trailhead, a junction for Pacific Crest Trail hikers and headed north along the trail up toward Skinner Peak. Getting there is fine for 2WD vehicles with a little care. The PCT is well-maintained and not steep, and was a great reminder that hiking mountains doesn't always have to be minsery. The trail skirts the east side of Skinner Peak, so I left the trail when the bushwhacking seemed minimal and just meandered to the summit.

Back at the trailhead, I followed the PCT toward Wyleys Knob. A decent dirt road leads to the summit, and most peakbaggers seem to just drive up, but I wanted to enjoy the trail. The PCT parallels the dirt road for a while before it continues east. I could have followed the main dirt road to the summit when the PCT veered away, but I noticed the remains of an abandoned dirt road that zig-zagged up the north face of Wyleys Knob. I decided to take that option. A short and easy hunded foot steep section brought me from the PCT up to the main dirt road, and to a blocked gate that I would pass to follow my route of choice. The old road was degraded enough that it's definitely more of a trail now. It led along the west ridge of Wyleys Knob and to the summit.

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Photos

29 photos

Pacific Crest Trail, starting up to Skinner Peak.
I'll eventually be up on that ridge in the center, after the long and winding PCT decides to get me there.
Wyleys Knob visible center, Bird Spring Pass visible on the right (where I parked). Note the road scar zig-zagging up to Wyleys Knob - that's what I used as my ascent later to that peak.
Lots of switchbacks up the southern slopes toward Skinner Peak.
Finally nearing the east ridge of Skinner Peak.
Skinner Peak top left somewhere.
Looking back, Bird Spring Pass visible on the right.
Looking back along the east ridge along the PCT.
The PCT passes over the east ridge of Skinner Peak and continues northwest. However, to reach the peak, I knew I had to leave the trail and head up the slope on the right.
Looking back before leaving the trail.
I left the PCT and did some minor bushwhacking (barely) to get to the summit of Skinner Peak.
Skinner Peak, view toward Wyleys Knob (center).
Back at Bird Spring Pass, I continued southwest along the PCT.
Wyleys Knob on the left. Note the zig zag scar up its slope - that's the "trail" I'd ultimately use to get to the summit as not to take the stupid dirt road.
Looking back toward Skinner Peak.
Wyleys Knob ahead.
I left the trail and ascended a hundred feet up a steep slope to reach the dirt road, where I encountered this fence, reading closed to motor vehicles.
I continued up the previously mentioned zig-zag road (really just a trail at this point) to the summit of Wyleys Knob.
You can see the approach road for Wyleys Knob and the PCT paralleling it below.
Looking back toward Skinner Peak.
Wyleys Knob ahead.
Looking back just before reaching Wyleys Knob.
Wyleys Knob ahead.
Wyleys Knob summit.

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Hire or refer me as a web developer, or send me a few bucks if you find my site useful. I'm not sponsored, so it's funded by yours truly. It also takes a ton of work to edit photos and write these reports. I really appreciate it!

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