Kearsarge Peak

John Muir Wilderness, CA
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Trip info

Distance6.2 mi
Elevation gain3,600 ft
Route typeOut & back
Duration4.5 hr
CruxClass 2
Quality5/10

Peaks bagged

1
Kearsarge Peak
SPS
12,615 ft / Prom. 535 ft
SPS
Sierra Peaks Section

Trip report

Starting along Kearsarge Pass Trail (left).
At the second switchback, leaving Kearsarge Pass Trail for Golden Trout Lake Trail. A small sign marks the turnoff.
The trail follows a small creek.
View back toward Onion Valley Campground.
The trail continues to the left of the creek. Three months earlier, en route to Dragon Peak, this passage was blocked by an ice bridge.
View back as the trail is interrupted by a talus field.
Lilley Pass visible on the top right. My route instead would climb to a small notch to the east (right, out of frame).
Crossing the creek at this marsh.
View back across the marsh.
View back as I start up the slope below Lilley Pass.
Approaching a fork. Left leads to Lilley Pass. I stayed right on a more direct line to the summit.
Heading up the chute.
View back. Notice the two unnamed lakes below Dragon Pass, top right.
Approaching a notch along Kearsarge Peak's west ridge.
View back from the notch.
From the notch, view north toward Dragon Jaw Peak (left) and Sardine Lake (right).
Contouring the north slope of Kearsarge Peak toward the summit.
View back.
Approaching the summit.
Kearsarge Peak summit. View east toward Owens Valley.
View southwest toward University Peak (far left), Mount Gould (right of center), and Dragon Peak (far right).
View northwest toward Black Mountain (right of center) and Mount Mary Austin (right).

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