The trail from Henry's Fork to Kings Peak (Utah's highpoint) rises a paltry 5,252 feet in 12 miles. Finally the snow was continuous enough for us to don traction and we kicked steps in the spring snowpack all the way to the ridgeline leading to Telescope’s summit. First light at sunrise looking back at Badwater Basin. To the left is the area known as Badwater, which is -252 feet below sea-level, and to the right is the hill that leads to the summit of Rodgers Peak. This path continues around the mountain until you see Telescope Peak for the first time. A place of extreme terrain and extreme conditions. “How did we get here so fast?” “I was sure it would have been later.” “I thought we’d be busting out the headlamps for sure.”. We can see that morning light already bathes the 11,048-foot summit of Telescope Peak, the highest peak in the Panamint Range and Death Valley National Park. Whitney from badwater) but that one is a bit beyond my resolve. Sunset over Badwater Basin and Telescope Peak. Few places in the country have the relief of the Panamint Range: Over 11,000 vertical feet separate the crown of Telescope Peak and Badwater Basin. Take in 360 degree views of California and Nevada and gaze for hundreds of miles in any direction. 3PM Telescope Summit "From here, the lowest point in all the Americas, I gazed across the pale lenses of the valley floor to the brown outwash fan of Hanaupah Canyon opposite, ten miles away, and from the canyon’s mouth up and up and up to the crest of Telescope Peak with its cornices of frozen snow 11,049 feet above sea level. Shoes are tightened, trekking poles extended and packs are hefted (heavier than I had expected) as we prepare to walk out onto the flats. Fees: $25 per vehicle to enter Death Valley National Park, valid 7 days. Tip : If you visit in the winter months, don't forget to check our hotel deals & tour tips below. But Telescope from badwater sounded perfect! Pass Furnace Creek and continue on till Badwater Road is reached, turn right onto Badwater Road. On the summit, you’ll learn firsthand why it’s called Telescope Peak. We’ll save our selfies for up there. Our trek will take us quite a bit further, up to the snow covered peak 20-miles distant. We quickly took care of camp chores and an evening meal to facilitate getting everyone to sleep early. Nothing in Utah comes close. Climbing Telescope Peak from Badwater in Death Valley. Telescope Peak Main article: Telescope Peak Its summit rises 11,331 feet (3,454 m) above Badwater Basin, the lowest point in Death Valley at −282 feet (−86 m). Some 13 hours and 11,331 feet of ascent later, we reached the summit, The summit cuisine was pizza and Fort Point Villager IPA, After dinner we weren't far off from being ready for bed at our awesome sleeping location, Telescope Peak's shadow cast over Death Valley at sunset was quite a sight, As the sun set, we settled in under what would turn out to be a very clear and star filled sky, Early the next morning, the sun came around over Death Valley, Telescope Peak's mighty shadow was cast again but in the other direction over Searles Valley. The trailhead is in the general Badwater Basin area, i.e. It is a short and easy walk along the ridge to the summit of Telescope Peak (36 o 10.21'N 117 o 5.36'W and an elevation of 11049ft). The lush valley surrounding Hanaupah Spring is the obvious place to make camp as there is not much flat ground on the route above us to Telescope Peak. But after escaping the breakable crust mud bog of Badwater, there isn’t too much grumbling from our team. Having regained sure footing at Shorty’s Well, we started up the enormous alluvial fan leading into Hanaupah Canyon. It was cool to look down at the tiny dot that was Shorty's Well where we'd started 13 hours earlier. Add in some false summits and a roller-coaster ridgeline, and we’ll climb about 14,500 ft when it’s all done. There are few things more demoralizing than hiking empty stretches of gravel road in the desert. “You know it doesn’t add up,” I say to my friend Mike Barcom as we cruise the tourist-buffed flats. The canyon trail continues to gradually increase in elevation as is winds into the mountains, Springtime brings color and life to the desert. These are the famed salt flats of Badwater in Death Valley National Park. The final climb to the maintained trail was absolutely steep and brutal, Taking a break from the highly strenuous climb to look back on our route, After we reached the maintained trail it wasn't long before we had Telescope Peak in sight. With the alarm set to four o’clock in the morning, I zipped up in my sleeping bag for six-hours of shut eye. Yet we can see the entire route while trekking across the salt flats. We could have probably gotten by just camping cowboy style, throwing our sleeping bags and pads on the ground unprotected. What an awesome hike, and what an awesome peak. He responds with a quizzical look. Therefore the hike involves an elevation gain of about 3450 meters. The sky burst into colors in all directions at sunset. Your time for the 7mi hike from the trailhead to the summit will depend on many factors, including the extent of the snow. But there are some pretty nasty critters that come out at night in Death Valley (tarantulas, scorpions) and we all slept better with a small bit of shelter keeping them at bay. Near Hanaupah Spring Telescope Peak looms far in the distance, After taking a break to fill up nearly 6 liters of water each, we hit the first steep climb up a ridge, Taking the ridge involved climbing 1600 feet in about one mile, At the top of the ridge we got a great view of the canyon we'd just navigated, Looking towards Badwater Basin from atop the ridge, With Telescope Peak still another 6000 or so feet to go, we pressed on, Now hiking through trees and brush, Telescope Peak was getting closer. Mountain canyons are also notorious for winds, so a fitted, protected stove system would be several times more effective in a stiff breeze. For reference, Shorty's Well is on the western edge of the Badwater Basin ( 282 ft below sea level ). Badwater is the lowest point in North America at 282 feet below sea level, and has a spectacular view of snowy Telescope Peak (11,043 ft). The trail slowly winds itself up to the summit 7 … I'll sleep there again for sure. The topography now featured a lot of trees, and was a bit harder to navigate. Telescope Peak Trail General Description A hike to the magnificent Telescope Peak is a challenging thrill ride that is sure to get your heart pumping. Telescope Peak viewed from Shorty's Well We spent an hour on the summit, taking in the 360-degree views and passing around a flask. The general direction of the hike is from east (Badwater area) to west (Telescope Peak), from the lowest point to the highest point. Turn onto SR 190 and follow it to Furnace Creek. By the heat of the day, we had reached the canyon’s massive outflow wash and it was thick with Desert Gold wildflowers. It seems so simple, but I recall when researching this route how difficult it was to estimate how long it was going to take us. Continue onto Badwater Road till Westside Road is reached. Sunrise colors on Telescope peak reflected in pond at Badwater Valley Low, Mountain High Although many tourists come to Death Valley to visit Badwater Basin, the lowest point in North America at 282 feet below sea level, most of them have no idea that the park also encompasses high-country areas that climb to more than 11,000 feet. In April 2016, two of us decided to do the hike from Badwater Basin - the lowest point in North America (-282 feet) - to nearby 11,043 foot Telescope Peak, and we wanted to do it in one day. The highest point in Death Valley National Park, Telescope peak stands over 11,300 feet above the valley floor just 7 miles east. First views of Telescope And then we reached the snowline at about 7,000 feet further slowing us down. Overview Shuttle hike from Shorty's Well ( 253 ft below sea level ) to Telescope Peak 11,048 then down to Mahogany Campground. We hiked, actually backpacked to Telescope Peak a few days ago. The climb to reach the maintained trail which would lead to the peak was absolutely grueling. Also take a moment to pick out Telescope Peak in the Panamint Range to the west; at 11,049 ft (3, 368 m), this peak is over two miles (3.2 km) above you. Our shelter was a Mesh House 3 paired with a 100 Wing Shelter. It’s a comfortable 60-degrees as we head out onto the salt before sunrise. It’s a surreal sight to behold once you reach it; gurgling water flowing freely in this desert. It’s the next best thing to bringing nothing. But at a meager elevation of 3,700-feet, our decision to bivouac in the proximity of fresh water meant saving about 9,000-feet of climbing for tomorrow. The last thousand feet to the top had drop-away views. We have three miles of this and sunrise has begun heating up the salt flats. The seven mile, 3000 foot descent to Mahogany Flat the next day was a piece of cake after that feat. A 4×4 truck slowly passed us, its occupants offering a friendly wave and words of encouragement. For about 10 hours, our team worked hard for each thousand feet of gain. Nowhere else in America can you see such a dramatic vertical relief over about 80 meters The summit of Telescope Peak is at 3,367 meters of elevation. Sunrise colors on Telescope peak reflected in pond at Badwater Valley Low, Mountain High Although many tourists come to Death Valley to visit Badwater Basin, the lowest point in North America at 282 feet below sea level, most of them have no idea that the park also encompasses high-country areas that climb to more than 11,000 feet. Badwater Basin from Mahogany Flat trail Hiking Telescope Peak by the normal route involves a 14 miles (23 km) round trip hike. Of course there’s the badwater 135 (climbs Mt. Death Valley Annual Pass and National Parks & Federal Recreational Lands Passes are also accepted. Add in some false summits and a roller-coaster ridgeline, and we’ll climb about 14,500 ft when it’s all done. In terms of tourist crowds, January and most of February are quiet months. Glancing up at our snowy summit goal brought dismay in its continued distance, but looking back down through thousands of feet of sky to the Badwater salt flats was exhilarating. Winters also bring snow to the higher elevations and coat Telescope Peak (Panamint Mountains) in white. A scenic trail that provides views of the Panamint Mountains and Badwater Basin. Death Valley from the summit of Telescope Peak. Then the salt crust starts to give way under our weight, plunging each step ankle deep in a sticky mud. With four in our party, we carried the 1.8 L pot and found this plenty of capacity for our needs. Actually, we climbed it from “Shorty’s” Well, near badwater but 30 feet higher at merely 250 feet below sea level. The rugged evaporated lake is worn smooth by thousands of visitors who walk out a thousand feet for that obligatory selfie. Telescope Peak presides over Death Valley’s vast salt flats, a rocky, snow-capped beacon for much of the year even while the desert below is scorching. After about 1.5 miles, there’s the first view of Telescope Peak in the Few hikes can match the relentless climb of connecting these ridgelines from Hanaupah Canyon to Telescope Peak. The trail has a couple of signs and information on the plant life you will be discovering on the trip before you start on the 14 miles round trip to the summit and back. For gear choices in regards to MSR, the WindBurner Stove was an obvious choice. Also we’ve experienced that the mosquitos can be fierce around perennial springs in the desert. The small, minimalist Mesh House keeps out the biting insects and weighs next to nothing for its size. The trail starts in the western part of Death Valley National Park at Mahogany Flat campground. Email Floris van Breugel | + … In fact, the tallest peak in the park, Telescope Peak, reaches over 11,000 feet in elevation and several others, including Bennet Peak, Rogers Peak, and Sentinel Peak, surpass 9,000 feet. A natural spring gushes forth from the canyon’s South Fork creating a good sized creek up canyon. Alex Stoy chimes in as the only member of this team who has done part of this route on a previous adventure to climb and ski Telescope Peak. The vertical rise from Badwater (which is at -282 ft) to Telescope Peak is one of the greatest on the planet. At about four o'clock in the morning we hit the trail. A steady progression of scree, scrambling, and route finding challenged our progress. Telescope Peak, rising 11,300 feet from the salty wastes of Badwater- Death Valley NP I stand by the cairn on the summit of Telescope Peak, looking out on a cold, windy and barren world. To the east, you’ll see Badwater Basin below you along with 11,916 foot Charleston Peak which rises above Las Vegas. Trail Notes: Don’t try this trail when thundershowers are in the forecast; the trail is very exposed and you’ll be the tallest thing around (save for a few bristlecone pines on the slopes of Telescope Peak). “Yeah it doesn’t add up,” jokes Mike as he plunge steps past me through the mud. We packed the 100 Wing Shelter as a wind break, as this place can get some big winds. Our three o’clock arrival time surprised all of us. An ascent of Telescope Peak from Badwater Basin involves gaining 11,240 feet -- the second greatest gain possible on any peak in the United States, after Mount Rainier. We were so tired and hungry we didn't waste much time before settling in. We toasted these trail angels with ice-cold Corona’s in the ninety-degree heat. Telescope Peak (11,049 ft / 3,368m) is the highest peak in Death Valley, with a well-established route to the summit from Mahogany Flat campground. “It just doesn’t add up,” added Mike in his best deadpan manner. The morning went smoothly and we were starting our slow grind up the ridgelines just as dusk gave the sky a bit of light. To the east at over 11,331feet (3,454m) below sits the lowest point in North America, Badwater Basin at -282 feet (-86m) below sea level. In April 2016, two of us decided to do the hike from Badwater Basin - the lowest point in North America (-282 feet) - to nearby 11,043 foot Telescope Peak, and we wanted to do it in one day. Badwater to Telescope easily beats out the much more famous single-day grinder "Cactus to Clouds" near Palm Springs which racks up 10,400 feet in 17 miles. We gained about 3300 feet in 2 miles over loose footing. Tagged: death valley, death valley national park, badwater basin, telescope peak, shortys well, Hanaupah Canyon. 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