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 Reporter |
Summary: This hike is stunning. The vistas are superb and unmatched. When you reach the peak, you will be standing at 11,049 feet, the highest point in Death Valley National Park. From the top you can see Badwater, at -280 the lowest point in the Western Hemisphere, and Mt. Whitney, the highest point in the contiguous United States. The trail starts out steep. It is very strenuous going for the first two miles. You immediately begin to get great views into Death Valley. After two miles the trail levels off onto a wind-swept ridge. From here it is easy going for about three miles. You will start to wander among the ancient bristlecone pines - gnarled by wind, time, and occasionally fire. The last two miles greets you with no less than 13 switchbacks, and the occasional "it must be right over here." You'll get there sign the peak register, and have one of the most enjoyable hikes of your life. The distance is what makes this one strenuous. Trailhead: From the 190, take Emigrant Canyon Road South - turn left(east) at Wildrose Canyon Rd - drive nine miles to the Mahogany Flat campground. This is a very steep and rough dirt road, especially after the Charcoal Kilns. If you have a low clearance vehicle, you may want to park at the Wildrose campground even though it will add two miles to your trip. The trailhead is before the campground right next to a fire road, and very easy to find. There is a trail register to sign a few hundred feet from the start and a register at the top. Or if you are coming from the South take the 178 to Wildrose Canyon Road and turn right(east). (Lat:36.16976 Lon:-117.08911) Trail Guides for Death Valley - Telescope Peak: California Hiking by Tom Sinestra and Ann Marie Brown (Avalon Travel) Best Seasons: Year-Round User Groups: Hikers, Ranger Contact: Death Valley National Park (760)786-2331 Localhikes Reporter: This hike was submitted by Allen Riedel, who has posted 123 other hikes on this site. To visit this reporters web site, click here. Trail Reviews Page 2 of 2 Submit your own review 
Reviewed by ChristaS on 5/31/2006 On Memorial Day weekend 2006, the road to the trailhead and the trail were in excellent condition. The trail is very well marked, easy to follow, and a nice balance of easy ridgeline walking and more strenuous switchbacks. We hiked on a very clear day and were rewarded with spectacular views. Photos of trail conditions (and our hike) can be found here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/93095239@N00/sets/72157594150609243/ 
Reviewed by Will Campbell on 5/29/2006 Hiked to Telescope Peak and back on May 28, 2006. Set out from the trailhead at 8:30 a.m. and back by 6:30 p.m. Trail conditions excellent. Very strenuous. Weather was clear and cool and perfect up at the top. Breathtaking views! Road from the kilns to Thorndike and Mahogany Flats campgrounds was in decent shape. Made it up to Mahogany Flats campground in a 2WD Nissan truck and I even saw a sedan cruise the campground as well as a minivan full of dayhikers near the trailhead. Only trail issues on this day was up among the final 2 miles among the 13 switchbacks. Snow covered the 7th or 8th turn forcing a short detour scramble up the hillside. After the final s/b there was a bank of snow less than a foot deep to climb up -- entirely doable.
Reviewed by Mr.Rodney Jones on 5/9/2006 Thu May 4,2006. driving **2WD 4Runner, I managed to carefully & slowly drive up to mahogony flats for the Telescope Pk trailhead. In hindsight,should have camped overnight up there, closest hotel was 60 mi. Trail is in excellent condition. first snow crossing near Roger's peak. hard packed snow around Bennett's peak. Saw deer/big horn hoof prints in the snow near Eagle Springs(dry). 2ft soft deep snow, sudden hail storm, and dark cloud with lightning came up fast, trail non-existance. I aborted hike at 10,000ft elev, before the last mile. great view from Eagle Springs fork, to Mt Whitney, Argus mtn range, and badwater. F-15 jet fighters wargames in&out of clouds. sonic boom,Helicopter hovered over me & left. I was worried I would be bomb
Reviewed by Eugene on 2/21/2006 Did the hike on Feb 17, 2006. This is a very strenuous hike during this time. My buddy and I were able to drive my regular 2WD car to Furnace Kilns. Beyond that, it requires a 4x4, since the road is steep and is hard to maneuver if you only have a 2WD. Let me tell you, the extra 1.5 miles (~3000 feet ascent) from the kilns to Mahogany Flat campgrounds was strenuous enough (with 70 lb. packs on). We left camp at around 11:15am and headed for the trail, which have spectacular views of the valley as you come up. As we got to around 10000+ feet (at ~3pm), we had to make a decision whether to press on or not. We turned back as it started to snow (no ice axes or necessary cold weather equipment to camp overnight then summit next day).
Reviewed by Gerry on 6/6/2005 Did the hike on June 4th, 2005. Exceptional hike. With a normal car was able to get most of the way to the trail head. Found the first few miles steady going but not that tough, then several miles of open-hiking with spectacular views. Last mile or so had many snow fields which obliterated the trail and we had to make some educated gueses about where the trail went. Spectacular views from the peak. It took us 3 hours and 20 minutes going up, with rests, and about 2 hours and 20 minutes going down.
Reviewed by Don on 5/29/2005 Did this Memorial Day weekend 2005. Incredible views and the long hike along the ridge is fantastic. The scramble up the last 700' or so to the summit was an interesting trudge. Snow all the way, too soft for crampons, too steep for snowshoes. No one else at the top for the hour we had lunch up there. Quite an interesting road into Mahogany Flat campground. Believe it when the rangers tell you, 4-wheel drive, particularly when the stream is running down the middle.
Reviewed by Tony on 6/20/2004 I think Telescope Peak is a fantastic hiking destination for an intermediate hiker. The 7 miles are fairly strenuous, but the average grade is reasonable. The panoramic view from the summmit is exhilerating and breath-taking. I love the beatiful Bristle Cone Pines and the wildlife such as the birds inhabiting the area. Thank you God. Notice: Traveling in the backcountry can be hazardous. You are responsible for informing yourself about these hazards and taking necessary precautions. Information on this web site comes from volunteer reporters and may contain errors or omissions. A current guidebook and proper equipment are essential for safe enjoyment of the hikes posted on this site. Keys: California Hiking, California Trails, California Hikes, Inyo County Hiking, Inyo County Trails, Inyo County Hikes | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||