From the SJM guide:
[Mountain View Crest] contains numerous high points, outstanding of which are Webb Peak and Overlook Point... Webb Peak which lies just west of Upper Webb Lake is a good, stiff climb by the direct route... Upper Webb Lake is best reached by going over the low divide to the west of Emerald Lake.
(1) The authors likely would have been aware that Peak 12,748 is taller than Needleton Benchmark. In detailing the two "outstanding" summits of the ridge, their language suggests that they are calling attention to its two highest points.
(2) The appellation "Upper Webb Lake" only makes sense relative to another lake. Webb Lake does not lie above another lake -- it's the lowest lake in its drainage. Pear Lake, however, is 600' above Webb Lake, directly connected via a creek, and could be described as the "upper" of the two.
(3) The name Pear Lake is listed in the GNIS as receiving a decision in 1974, four decades after the SJM guide's publication.
(4) The description of going over the small ridge west of Emerald Lake would seem to better point the way to Pear Lake, less so to Webb Lake.
(5) "Webb Peak which lies just west of Upper Webb Lake..." Needleton BM is perhaps better described as southwest from Webb Lake, whereas Peak 12,748 is directly west of Pear Lake.
Based on the above, I think there is good reason to believe the SJM guide's authors were referring to Peak 12,748 as Webb Peak.
