University Peak and PhD Peak Loop

September 14th, 2024 at 7:04 AMJohn Muir Wilderness, CA

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Info

Distance

9.7 mi

Elevation gain

5,000 ft

Route type

Loop

Duration

7 hr

Crux

Class 3

Quality

8/10

Vehicle type

Car

Ecoregion

Peaks bagged

1

University Peak

SPS

Vagmarken

13,589 ft / Rise 1,188 ft

2

PhD Peak12,881 ft

SPS
Sierra Peaks Section
Vagmarken
Vagmarken Sierra Crest List

Report

Trip report photo for University Peak and PhD Peak Loop — Trail sign at near Onion Valley Campground. My route starts along Kearsarge Pass Trail and returns along Robinson Lake Trail.

Trip report photo for University Peak and PhD Peak Loop

Trip report photo for University Peak and PhD Peak Loop — View back toward Onion Valley Campground.

Trip report photo for University Peak and PhD Peak Loop — Entering the John Muir Wilderness.

Trip report photo for University Peak and PhD Peak Loop

Trip report photo for University Peak and PhD Peak Loop — The trail cuts through a talus field. University Peak is visible on the top left.

Trip report photo for University Peak and PhD Peak Loop — Passing Gilbert Lake (partially in frame, left).

Trip report photo for University Peak and PhD Peak Loop — Leaving Kearsarge Pass Trail for Matlock Lake Trail. Shortly ahead, a use trail leading to Bench Lake branches off on the right.

Trip report photo for University Peak and PhD Peak Loop — View back from a switchback along the use trail to Bench Lake.

Trip report photo for University Peak and PhD Peak Loop — The use trail disappears as the route contours this slope.

Trip report photo for University Peak and PhD Peak Loop — View back.

Trip report photo for University Peak and PhD Peak Loop — Approaching Bench Lake (hidden behind the trees on the right). The route continues up the ridge, left of center.

Trip report photo for University Peak and PhD Peak Loop — View toward Matlock Lake.

Trip report photo for University Peak and PhD Peak Loop — Some fun, Class 2 slabs.

Trip report photo for University Peak and PhD Peak Loop — View back down the slabs toward Bench Lake (left), Matlock Lake (right of center), and Slim Lake (right).

Trip report photo for University Peak and PhD Peak Loop

Trip report photo for University Peak and PhD Peak Loop — Arriving at an unnamed lake at 11,400 feet.

Trip report photo for University Peak and PhD Peak Loop — Passing the unnamed lake toward the base of University Peak's north slope (left).

Trip report photo for University Peak and PhD Peak Loop — View back toward the unnamed lake as I start up the north slope.

Trip report photo for University Peak and PhD Peak Loop — Loose, Class 2.

Trip report photo for University Peak and PhD Peak Loop — University Peak's summit comes into view on the far right.

Trip report photo for University Peak and PhD Peak Loop — Entering a minor chute with some Class 3 obstacle.

Trip report photo for University Peak and PhD Peak Loop — Veering right to avoid some Class 3/4 terrain.

Trip report photo for University Peak and PhD Peak Loop — Approaching University Peak's east ridge.

Trip report photo for University Peak and PhD Peak Loop — Gaining the ridge. View southeast toward University Pass.

Trip report photo for University Peak and PhD Peak Loop — View north.

Trip report photo for University Peak and PhD Peak Loop — Starting the traverse along the University Peak's northeast ridge.

Trip report photo for University Peak and PhD Peak Loop — Easy Class 2 along the ridge. From here, the route contours the north slope (to the climber's right), bypassing a false summit.

Trip report photo for University Peak and PhD Peak Loop — Contouring the north slope.

Trip report photo for University Peak and PhD Peak Loop — The route heads through the small notch, right of center. The summit is just past the notch.

Trip report photo for University Peak and PhD Peak Loop — View back from below the notch.

Trip report photo for University Peak and PhD Peak Loop — University Peak summit. View south into Kings Canyon National Park.

Trip report photo for University Peak and PhD Peak Loop — View north toward Mount Gould (left) and Kearsarge Peak (right).

Trip report photo for University Peak and PhD Peak Loop — View northwest toward Kearsarge Lakes.

Trip report photo for University Peak and PhD Peak Loop — Dropping off the south side of University Peak.

Trip report photo for University Peak and PhD Peak Loop — Descending University Peak's southeast ridge toward University Pass.

Trip report photo for University Peak and PhD Peak Loop — Contouring the sandy slopes below the ridge crest. Spectacular views into Center Basin.

Trip report photo for University Peak and PhD Peak Loop — View south.

Trip report photo for University Peak and PhD Peak Loop — Approaching PhD Peak, which lies on the opposite side of University Pass.

Trip report photo for University Peak and PhD Peak Loop — View back at a tricky, Class 2 section before reaching University Pass.

Trip report photo for University Peak and PhD Peak Loop — Dropping down to University Pass.

Trip report photo for University Peak and PhD Peak Loop — Starting up PhD Peak's west slope.

Trip report photo for University Peak and PhD Peak Loop — View back. University Pass is on the far right.

Trip report photo for University Peak and PhD Peak Loop — Short Class 3 section along the ridgeline.

Trip report photo for University Peak and PhD Peak Loop — Somewhat exposed Class 3 summit block.

Trip report photo for University Peak and PhD Peak Loop — PhD Peak summit. View south.

Trip report photo for University Peak and PhD Peak Loop — View northeast down the gnarly ridgeline toward Independence Peak.

Trip report photo for University Peak and PhD Peak Loop — View back toward University Peak's east face.

Trip report photo for University Peak and PhD Peak Loop — After backtracking to University Pass, starting the descent down a steep slope toward Robinson Lake.

Trip report photo for University Peak and PhD Peak Loop — View toward University Peak.

Trip report photo for University Peak and PhD Peak Loop — View back up the slope.

Trip report photo for University Peak and PhD Peak Loop — The slope lets out at this sandy basin.

Trip report photo for University Peak and PhD Peak Loop — From the basin, view back toward University Pass.

Trip report photo for University Peak and PhD Peak Loop — Continuing toward Robinson Lake.

Trip report photo for University Peak and PhD Peak Loop — A flat, boulder-hopping section.

Trip report photo for University Peak and PhD Peak Loop — View back.

Trip report photo for University Peak and PhD Peak Loop

Trip report photo for University Peak and PhD Peak Loop — Independence Creek.

Trip report photo for University Peak and PhD Peak Loop — View back as the route follows Independence Creek.

Trip report photo for University Peak and PhD Peak Loop — Descending this slope toward Robinson Lake, visible below.

Trip report photo for University Peak and PhD Peak Loop — View back up the colorful slope.

Trip report photo for University Peak and PhD Peak Loop — Robinson Lake. My route enters from the right.

Trip report photo for University Peak and PhD Peak Loop — Joining the Robinson Lake Trail.

Trip report photo for University Peak and PhD Peak Loop

Trip report photo for University Peak and PhD Peak Loop — Descending into Onion Valley.

Trip report photo for University Peak and PhD Peak Loop — Final stretch along the Robinson Trail toward Onion Valley Campground.

Nearby trips

Independence Peak

Independence Peak

4.2 mi2,600 ft3.5 hr

Dragon Peak to Mount Gould Traverse

Dragon Peak to Mount Gould Traverse

10.7 mi4,400 ft8 hr

Kearsarge Peak

6.2 mi3,600 ft4.5 hr