Sign at the trailhead. My route starts along Kearsarge Pass Trail and returns along Robinson Lake Trail.View back toward Onion Valley Campground.Entering the John Muir Wilderness.The trail crosses a talus field. University Peak is visible on the top left.Passing Gilbert Lake (partially in frame, left).Leaving Kearsarge Pass Trail for Matlock Lake Trail. Shortly ahead, a use trail leading to Bench Lake branches off on the right.Switchback along the use trail to Bench Lake.View back.Approaching Bench Lake (hidden behind the trees, right).View toward Matlock Lake.Some fun, Class 2 slabs.View back down the slabs toward Bench Lake (left), Matlock Lake (right of center), and Slim Lake (right).Arriving at an unnamed lake at 11,400 feet.Passing the unnamed lake toward the base of University Peak's north slope (left).View back toward the unnamed lake as I start up the north slope.Loose, Class 2.University Peak's summit comes into view on the far right.Entering a minor chute with several Class 3 obstacles.Veering right to avoid some Class 3 terrain.Approaching University Peak's east ridge.Gaining the ridge. View southeast toward University Pass.View north.Traversing University Peak's northeast ridge.Approaching a false summit. Bypass via the north slope (right).Contouring the north slope.Aiming for a small notch, right of center, that gives access to the summit.View back from below the notch.University Peak summit. View south into Kings Canyon National Park.View north toward Mount Gould (left) and Kearsarge Peak (right).View northwest toward Kearsarge Lakes.Descending the south slope of University Peak.Following University Peak's southeast ridge toward University Pass.Contouring the sandy slopes below the ridge crest. Spectacular views of Center Basin.View south.Approaching PhD Peak, which lies on the opposite side of University Pass.View back at a tricky, Class 2 section before reaching University Pass.Dropping down to University Pass.Starting up PhD Peak's west slope.View back. University Pass is on the far right.Short Class 3 section along the ridgeline.Somewhat exposed Class 3 summit block.PhD Peak summit. View south.View northeast down the gnarly ridgeline toward Independence Peak.View back toward University Peak's east face.After backtracking to University Pass, starting the descent down a steep slope toward Robinson Lake.View toward University Peak.View back up the slope.The slope lets out at this sandy basin.From the basin, view back toward University Pass.Continuing toward Robinson Lake.A flat, boulder-hopping section.View back.Independence Creek.View back as the route follows Independence Creek.Descending this slope toward Robinson Lake, visible below.View back up the colorful slope.Robinson Lake. My route enters from the right.Joining the Robinson Lake Trail.Descending into Onion Valley.Final stretch along the Robinson Trail toward Onion Valley Campground.
