Hiking: Death Valley : Getting a Larger Scope of Life Below

Most Death Valley visitors are content to stop their cars at Badwater, 282 feet below sea level, and look up at Telescope Peak, the greatest vertical rise in the contiguous United States. For the serious hiker, however, the challenge of climbing 11,049-foot Telescope Peak and looking down at Death Valley will prove irresistible. The views from Telescope Peak Trail include Badwater, the lowest point in the country, and Mt. Whitney, the continental high point.

The trail starts where most trails end--1 1/2 miles in the sky--and climbs a sagebrush and pin~on peak. The well-maintained trails up Telescope and Wildrose peaks offer a distinctly different hiking experience than other park trails, which are usually nature-interpretive trails or cross-country routes through canyons or washes.

Best times to make the climb are from mid-May to November. During the colder months, Telescope Peak and much of the trail is covered with snow. Try to begin your hike at dawn, both to savor the sunrise and to allow sufficient time for the long journey.

Directions to trail head: From California 178 (about 50 miles northeast of U.S. 395 and Ridgecrest), turn right on Wildrose Canyon Road and follow it nine miles to road’s end at Mahogany Flat Campground. Park at the campground.

The hike: The path climbs over pin~on pine-forested slopes and soon offers dramatic views of Death Valley and the Furnace Creek area. After two miles, the trail gains the spine of a ridge and soon a second valley comes into view: Panamint.

Three miles of moderate climbing brings you to a saddle between Togers and Bennett peaks. You can strike out cross country to reach the antennae-crowned summit, which stands about 400 feet higher than the trail.

To reach Bennett Peak, continue on the main trail to a second saddle, then ascend past stands of limber pine to the top.

Telescope Peak Trail’s final third is steep and remarkable. The path zigzags up the peak’s steep east side, ascending through a stunted forest of limber and bristlecone pine.

From atop the peak, the far-reaching views include the White Mountains to the north, the High Sierra to the northeast. Off in those two patches of purple haze are Las Vegas far to the east and the San Gabriel Mountains above Los Angeles to the southwest.

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Telescope Peak Trail WHERE: Telescope Peak Trail, Death Valley National Park. DISTANCE: 5.2 miles round trip; 1,800-foot elevation gain. TERRAIN: Bristlecone pine-dotted top of the Panamint Mountains. HIGHLIGHTS: National park high point, magnificent vistas, one of California’s truly great hikes. DEGREE OF DIFFICULTY: Strenuous PRECAUTIONS: Peak often snow-covered from November to mid-May. Check with park for latest trail conditions. FOR MORE INFORMATION: Superintendent, Death Valley, CA 92328; tel. (619) 786-2331.