University Peak and PhD Peak Loop

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

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Info

Distance9.7 mi

Elevation gain5,000 ft

CruxClass 3

Route typeLoop

Duration7 hr

Quality8/10

Vehicle to trailheadCar

Protected areaJohn Muir Wilderness, Forest Service

EcoregionSierra Nevada

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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.

University Peak and PhD Peak Loop

University Peak and PhD Peak Loop — View back toward Onion Valley Campground.

University Peak and PhD Peak Loop — Entering the John Muir Wilderness.

University Peak and PhD Peak Loop

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

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

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.

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

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

University Peak and PhD Peak Loop — View back.

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.

University Peak and PhD Peak Loop — View toward Matlock Lake.

University Peak and PhD Peak Loop — Some fun, Class 2 slabs.

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

University Peak and PhD Peak Loop

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

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

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

University Peak and PhD Peak Loop — Loose, Class 2.

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

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

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

University Peak and PhD Peak Loop — Approaching University Peak's east ridge.

University Peak and PhD Peak Loop — Gaining the ridge. View southeast toward University Pass.

University Peak and PhD Peak Loop — View north.

University Peak and PhD Peak Loop — Starting the traverse along the University Peak's northeast ridge.

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.

University Peak and PhD Peak Loop — Contouring the north slope.

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

University Peak and PhD Peak Loop — View back from below the notch.

University Peak and PhD Peak Loop — University Peak summit. View south into Kings Canyon National Park.

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

University Peak and PhD Peak Loop — View northwest toward Kearsarge Lakes.

University Peak and PhD Peak Loop — Dropping off the south side of University Peak.

University Peak and PhD Peak Loop — Descending University Peak's southeast ridge toward University Pass.

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

University Peak and PhD Peak Loop — View south.

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

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

University Peak and PhD Peak Loop — Dropping down to University Pass.

University Peak and PhD Peak Loop — Starting up PhD Peak's west slope.

University Peak and PhD Peak Loop — View back. University Pass is on the far right.

University Peak and PhD Peak Loop — Short Class 3 section along the ridgeline.

University Peak and PhD Peak Loop — Somewhat exposed Class 3 summit block.

University Peak and PhD Peak Loop — PhD Peak summit. View south.

University Peak and PhD Peak Loop — View northeast down the gnarly ridgeline toward Independence Peak.

University Peak and PhD Peak Loop — View back toward University Peak's east face.

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

University Peak and PhD Peak Loop — View toward University Peak.

University Peak and PhD Peak Loop — View back up the slope.

University Peak and PhD Peak Loop — The slope lets out at this sandy basin.

University Peak and PhD Peak Loop — From the basin, view back toward University Pass.

University Peak and PhD Peak Loop — Continuing toward Robinson Lake.

University Peak and PhD Peak Loop — A flat, boulder-hopping section.

University Peak and PhD Peak Loop — View back.

University Peak and PhD Peak Loop

University Peak and PhD Peak Loop — Independence Creek.

University Peak and PhD Peak Loop — View back as the route follows Independence Creek.

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

University Peak and PhD Peak Loop — View back up the colorful slope.

University Peak and PhD Peak Loop — Robinson Lake. My route enters from the right.

University Peak and PhD Peak Loop — Joining the Robinson Lake Trail.

University Peak and PhD Peak Loop

University Peak and PhD Peak Loop — Descending into Onion Valley.

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