Telescope Peak: Summiting Death Valley's 11,000 Foot Peak
- Stephen Warner
- May 12, 2024
- 3 min read
Updated: Apr 3
It’s hard to believe that the same national park known for North America’s lowest point is also home to a towering 11,000-foot peak. But believe it! Telescope Peak rises high above the desert floor, offering a challenging but unforgettable hike. After wandering Death Valley’s canyons, dunes, and salt flats, this high-elevation summit is the perfect capstone to your adventure.
Trail Info
Trailhead Name | Telescope Peak Trail |
Distance | 14 miles / 22.5 km (out and back) |
Estimated time | 7+ hours |
Elevation gain | 3,000 ft / 900 m |
Highest point | 11,043 ft / 3,366 m (Telescope Peak) |
Permits / fees | National Park fee |
Parking | Dirt Lot |
Toilets? | At Mahogany Flats Campground |
Dog friendly? | No (prohibited) |
Know before you go
The road to this trailhead is rough. A 4WD with high clearance is strongly recommended. I tried driving it in my VW Jetta and made it partway, but ended up parking at a pullout before the going got too sketchy.
Altitude is a factor. Coming from near sea level (or below—it’s Death Valley, after all), you’ll definitely feel the elevation. Hydrate well, pace yourself, and pay attention to how your body is feeling.
There are some nice campgrounds to help with the acclimation. I stayed at Wildrose Campground (4,100 feet / 1,250m) but Thorndike (7,400 feet / 2,250m) and Mahogany Flats (8,200 feet / 2,500m) are also great options to allow your body to get used to the elevation overnight. (Note, Mahogany Flats is right at the trailhead and will require that 4WD / high clearance vehicle).
Other trails nearby
Distance: 8.4 miles (13.5 km)
Elevation gain: 2,200 ft (650 m)
Details: A slightly shorter, slightly less strenuous hike to a ~9,000-foot / 2,700 m summit with great views.
The Trail
My hike started just before the official trailhead, where I’d left my car off the side of the rough road. A nice little warm-up before the real climb!
Once on trail, you begin in the trees...
...but you’ll quickly break out into the open, with sweeping views of Death Valley below, including the famous Badwater Basin. The scenery just opens up and doesn’t quit.
The trail curves west and continues on a steady, well-graded climb.
Around 2.5 miles in, you’ll reach Arcane Meadows, a beautiful flat stretch around 9,500 feet. Some folks camp here for a more remote, high-altitude experience
This is also where you’ll hit the trail’s only junction. A path veers off to the right toward Rogers Peak, but stay left and head south to continue toward Telescope.
This next stretch is a bit flatter—a welcome break that gives your lungs and legs a moment to adjust.
Eventually, though, the trail steepens again. This was where I really started feeling the altitude. I took plenty of breaks (and used each one to soak in the views).
The final push narrows slightly, but it’s nothing too sketchy. Most hikers should feel comfortable.
And then... you’re there. The summit. On a clear day, you can see all the way to Mount Whitney, the highest peak in the Lower 48.
Take it all in. You’ve earned it.
And when you’re ready, retrace your steps and let this extraordinary landscape sink in one more time.
SS Reflections
Every single day of my three-day trip to Death Valley felt like opening a gift. From kaleidoscopic canyons to wind-sculpted dunes to vast salty basins, the park served up surprises at every turn. And topping it all off with a summit of Telescope Peak? That was the perfect ending. I can only hope I get the chance to return to this wildly diverse landscape again.
Other helpful resources
NPS page with detailed pictures and a description of the hike