Independence Peak (California)

{{Short description|Mountain in the American state of California}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2025}}

{{Infobox mountain

| name = Independence Peak

| other_name =

| photo = Independence Peak, Sierra Nevada.jpg

| photo_caption = Northwest aspect

| elevation_ft = 11742

| elevation_ref = {{navd88}}{{cite peakbagger |pid=13529 |name=Independence Peak, California |accessdate=2021-04-25}}

| prominence_ft = 358

| prominence_ref =

| isolation_mi = 1.89

| isolation_ref = {{cite loj |id=55997 |title=Independence Peak CA |accessdate=2021-04-25}}

| parent_peak = University Peak

| etymology =

| listing = Sierra Peaks Section{{cite sps |access-date=2021-11-27}}

| map = California#USA

| map_caption = Location in California

| map_size = 200

| label_position = left

| country = United States

| state = California

| region = Inyo

| region_type = County

| part_type = Protected area | part = John Muir Wilderness

| range = Sierra Nevada

| coordinates = {{coord|36.7609598|N|118.3318345|W|type:mountain_region:US-CA_scale:100000_source:GNIS|format=dms|display=inline,title}}

| coordinates_ref = {{cite gnis |id=261703 |name=Independence Peak |accessdate=2021-04-25}}

| topo = USGS Kearsarge Peak

| type = Fault block

| age = Cretaceous

| first_ascent = January 17, 1926 by Norman Clyde{{cite Secor |page=151 |edition=1 }}

| easiest_route = Exposed scramble, {{YDS|3}}

}}

Independence Peak is an {{convert|11,742|ft|meter|adj=mid|-elevation|abbr=off|sp=us}} mountain summit located one mile east of the crest of the Sierra Nevada mountain range, in Inyo County of northern California. It is situated immediately south of Onion Valley on the eastern boundary of John Muir Wilderness, on land managed by Inyo National Forest. It is also {{convert|8|mi}} west-southwest of the community of Independence, and {{convert|1.9|mi}} northeast of parent University Peak. Topographic relief is significant as the north aspect rises {{convert|3,600|ft|m|abbr=off|sp=us}} above Onion Valley in one mile. Independence Peak can be climbed via the north slope from Onion Valley. The first ascent of the summit was made in 1926 by Norman Clyde, who is credited with 130 first ascents, most of which were in the Sierra Nevada.{{cite web|url=http://www.owensvalleyhistory.com/norman_clyde/page57.html |title=Norman Clyde - Mountaineer |website=OwensValleyHistory.com |access-date=2021-11-27}} He climbed this peak three times in 1926, and twice in 1927.{{cite book |url=https://www.yosemite.ca.us/library/climbers_guide/kings-kern_divide.html |first=Hervey H. |last=Voge |title=A Climber's Guide to the High Sierra |year=1954 |publisher=Sierra Club |access-date=2021-11-27 |isbn=978-0871560643}} He was principal of the high school in Independence from 1924 to 1928, which provided him access to this nearest peak to his home.