Kendall Peak Trip Report 09/20/2026

Report Type	Mini
Peak(s)	Kendall Peak - 13,455 feet "Mountaineer Peak" - 13,441 feet Mt. Rhoda - 13,418 feet Whitehead Peak - 13,276 feet "Spencer Peak" - 13,424 feet Unnamed 13117 - 13,117 feet
Date Posted	09/20/2026
Date Climbed	09/20/2026
Author	5ClimbingCooneys
Additional Members	ClimbingCooney3G

September Circuit
An update on the access to upper Deer Park: There's a nasty switchback that's been eroded by rain and/or runoff at about 11,110'. I was up there on 9/20/26 and was able to navigate it successfully in an '07 Nissan Xterra Off-Road. There's a large rut that bisects the switchback, forcing drivers to drop a tire into the trench, then climb steeply while somewhat off-camber. I was only able to get up after engaging my rear locker. Going down is also sketchy, as it's very easy to drop a tire and tilt down on the passenger side, raising up one of the rear wheels. Vehicles with lifts should be fine, but stock vehicles of nearly any kind will likely struggle a bit through here. I would NOT attempt this part of the road with anything that doesn't have 4-Lo AND some kind of locker, traction control, or modified suspension. If you open the user tracks layer in CalTopo, you'll see this switchback has been labeled with a skull and crossbones. (I didn't notice this until afterward). Hopefully, they'll be able to get the road repaired, as this is a fantastic place, and—other than being a bit steep and loose/rocky in a few places, didn't present any other issues. If you don't want to mess with the switchback, there are some wonderful camp spots just a few hundred yards down the road and the old road bed which intersects the current USFS Deer Park trail takes off shortly after those. This will add about 600-700' of extra vertical to the loop, but may save some stress. Otherwise, this is a fantastic loop, filled with a lot of tundra strolling. Thanks to @WildWanderer for the note about the trail cutting across the north face of Spencer peak. That made the traverse fast and easy. Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):

September Circuit

An update on the access to upper Deer Park:

There's a nasty switchback that's been eroded by rain and/or runoff at about 11,110'. I was up there on 9/20/26 and was able to navigate it successfully in an '07 Nissan Xterra Off-Road. There's a large rut that bisects the switchback, forcing drivers to drop a tire into the trench, then climb steeply while somewhat off-camber. I was only able to get up after engaging my rear locker. Going down is also sketchy, as it's very easy to drop a tire and tilt down on the passenger side, raising up one of the rear wheels. Vehicles with lifts should be fine, but stock vehicles of nearly any kind will likely struggle a bit through here. I would NOT attempt this part of the road with anything that doesn't have 4-Lo AND some kind of locker, traction control, or modified suspension. If you open the user tracks layer in CalTopo, you'll see this switchback has been labeled with a skull and crossbones. (I didn't notice this until afterward). Hopefully, they'll be able to get the road repaired, as this is a fantastic place, and—other than being a bit steep and loose/rocky in a few places, didn't present any other issues.

If you don't want to mess with the switchback, there are some wonderful camp spots just a few hundred yards down the road and the old road bed which intersects the current USFS Deer Park trail takes off shortly after those. This will add about 600-700' of extra vertical to the loop, but may save some stress.

Otherwise, this is a fantastic loop, filled with a lot of tundra strolling. Thanks to @WildWanderer for the note about the trail cutting across the north face of Spencer peak. That made the traverse fast and easy.

Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):

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