| Pilot Peak | |
| Elevation Ft: | 8670 |
| Elevation Ref: | [1] |
| Prominence Ft: | 1720 |
| Isolation Mi: | 3.14 |
| Range: | Chugach Mountains |
| Parent Peak: | Sharkstooth Mountain (8,710 ft) |
| Location: | Chugach National Forest Valdez-Cordova Borough Alaska, United States |
| Map: | USA Alaska |
| Label Position: | left |
| Coordinates: | 61.3472°N -146.9019°W |
| Topo: | USGS Valdez B-8 |
Pilot Peak is an 86700NaN0 elevation glaciated summit located 270NaN0 northwest of Valdez in the Chugach Mountains of the U.S. state of Alaska. Set on land managed by Chugach National Forest, this remote peak is situated 6.50NaN0 east of Mount Einstein, and 5.70NaN0 southwest of Tazlina Tower. The mountain was so named in 1955 by Lawrence E. Nielsen "because it is a very distinctive landmark that helped guide us back to camp in our explorations during 1955."[2] Nielsen was leader of the Chugach Mountains Expedition which was sponsored by the Arctic Institute of North America. This name was officially adopted by the U.S. Board on Geographic Names in 1965.[3]
Based on the Köppen climate classification, Pilot Peak is located in a subarctic climate zone with long, cold, snowy winters, and cool summers.[4] Weather systems coming off the Gulf of Alaska are forced upwards by the Chugach Mountains (orographic lift), causing heavy precipitation in the form of rainfall and snowfall. Winter temperatures can drop below −20 °C with wind chill factors below −30 °C. This climate supports the Columbia Glacier surrounding this mountain. The months May through June offer the most favorable weather for climbing.