Driving up to Onion Valley, west of Independence to do a solo hike to Kearsarge Peak.

The next morning, looking back at the Onion Valley parking lot which is at about 9,200 feet as I start the hike to the peak.

I started the hike using the trail to Golden Trout Lake.

Waterfall along the trail.

Looking down on Onion Valley with Independence Peak, 11,744 feet as I start gaining some altitude.

Just west of Independence Peak is University Peak, 13,632 feet.

Following the canyon that leads up to Golden Trout Lake.

Snow bridge over the stream.

Approaching the meadow below Golden Trout Lake.

At the meadow at about 10,900 feet looking back in the direction that I hiked from.

Strange looking algae in the meadow.

There were a lot of shooting stars blooming in the area.

Close up of the shooting stars.

I'll leave the trail at the meadow and climb the slope up to Lilley Pass.

I wasn't sure about the route to the peak, so in copied this photo of the pass from someone else's hike to be sure I climbed up the right spot.

Looking down as I start the climb on the rocks at the bottom of the slope.

Looking up to the pass, it's higher and steeper than it looks.

Not sure which peak this is, looks good.

Looking up the valley that's above the meadow.

Dragon Peak, 12,955 and Dragon Tooth come into view.

Zoomed in on Dragon Tooth, 12,480 feet.

Starting to get near the top of the pass, climbing this loose rock is no fun.

An unnamed lake comes into view.

Zoomed in on the lake.

The meadow is starting to look small.

Almost to the top of the pass.

Nice looking rock formation as I approach the top.

Looking down the slope to the meadow from the top. It was about a 1,000 foot climb, but being that most of it was on loose rock and sand made it feel like 2,000 feet

On Lilley Pass, 11,920 looking to the southwest.

View to the northest from the pass.

As I started hiking east towards the peak, Sardine Lake came into view about 400 feet below to the north.

View of the Owens Valley about 8,000 feet below to the northeast.

My first good view of Kearsarge Peak, the one on the left. My plan is to traverse the slope as I climb up to the peak. The ridge leading to the peak is covered with very large rocks make it a bad route. .

Sky pilots.

A hang glider soaring over Kearsarge Peak.

This bird was eating the bugs that were on the snow.

Looking over Lilley Pass to Dragon Peak, 12,955 feet.

Approaching the summit.

Almost there.

Me on Kearsarge Peak at 12,598 feet with a view to the southwest.

View to the west, the light brown area is Lilley Pass.

Looking towards the southwest.

Looking down on Onion Valley, about 3,300 feet below. Also the 11,744 foot high Independence Peak which is on the left.

View of the Owens Valley to the southeast about 8,600 feet below.

The town of Independence to the east.

View to the south.

Zoomed in on Independence Peak with Robinson Lake on the right.

University Peak, 13,632 feet