Telescope Peak(edit)

Overview

This is a difficult out and back trail to Telescope Peak in Death Valley National Park.

The difficulty lies in the temperatures and access to the trailhead, which is 4wd due to sand, dust, snow, and steepness once you pass the Beehive Kilns. I did this in November, and the weather was amazing, comfortable, and clear. It must be wierd up here in summertime even at 11000 ft.

The trail itself is clear and open and moderately-graded with a 12 mile roundtrip and 3,000 ft elevation gain. The views astound with 360 degree desert views. Definitely a must do.

Getting Started

As I noted above, the road is clear and easily accessed up to the Bee Hive Kilns. After that, it gets pretty steep for regular cars and 4wd would be recommended. Talking with Rangers might help you to get an idea of the trail conditions.

Taking Children

At 12 miles, you'd need tough rug rats to do this, and wouldn't that be fun, so it gets a 2/10. Doing only a portion is very much an option: people we met who wanted a more moderate hike with the same views take the side trail to Rogers Peak which seems a good option, in my mind. Total round trip for that Rogers Peak would still be about 5 miles and 2000 ft elevation gain.