calipeaks.com

Telescope Peak

Inyo · Managed by Death Valley National Park (NPS) · Region: Death Valley National Park
Difficulty 26/100 · Moderateout and back#peak-bagging#11ers#desert#viewpoint
Distance
14 mi
Total gain
3,000 ft
Net gain
3,000 ft
Net loss
3,000 ft
Elevation
8,071–10,951 ft
Days
1–2
Permit
Not required
Campfires
Campfires prohibited

Overview

Telescope Peak is Death Valley's rooftop: 11,043 feet of Panamint Range granite rising two vertical miles above Badwater. The 7-mile trail from Mahogany Flat gains 3,000 feet to a summit where you can see the lowest point in North America from one of the state's great viewpoints — and camp at Arcane Meadows below.

Highlights

  • Looking down 11,000 feet from the summit to Badwater below sea level
  • Views across Death Valley to the Sierra Nevada
  • Arcane Meadows' high camp between the peaks
  • A maintained trail — a rarity in this park

How hard is Telescope Peak?

CaliPeaks rates this route 26/100 (Moderate). The score weights five factors: climbing counts for 45% — 3,000 ft puts this trip at 25% of the reference climb; distance 20% at 14 miles; maximum altitude 15% at 10,951 ft; route technicality 10% (established trail throughout); and trip length 10% at 2 days. A score under 20 suits first-time backpackers; 60+ means serious endurance. See how we score difficulty for the full method.

Logistics

  • Trailhead: Mahogany Flat Campground (8,071 ft) · parking: Mahogany Flat Campground; high-clearance vehicle recommended
  • Water: None on the route — carry all water; the NPS notes camping is good at Arcane Meadows between Rogers and Telescope Peaks.
  • Resupply: None; Stovepipe Wells and Furnace Creek have services.
  • Shuttle: Not needed for an out-and-back.
  • Stove required: yes — no fires possible on this route

Permits

No wilderness permit is required for this route (per Death Valley National Park (NPS)).

Campfires & stove regulations

Campfires prohibited. Campfires are not allowed in the Death Valley backcountry. Use a camp stove. Current fire restrictions. Rules change with conditions — always confirm with the managing agency before your trip.

Best time to go

Best months: May, June, September, October.

Snow: Winter brings snow and ice — crampons may be needed.

Heat: The summit stays cool; the valley below bakes.

Bugs: Minimal.

Weather forecast

Know before you go

  • There is no water anywhere on the route
  • Ice axe and crampons are often needed in winter
  • No campfires in the backcountry — stoves only
  • The access road demands high clearance

Sources & citations

Data compiled 2026 from public agency and reference sources. All descriptive text on this page is original; verify current conditions with the managing agency before your trip.

  1. SRTM90 elevation data (sampled). OpenTopoData (SRTM, NASA/USGS-derived open data) via Photon geocoding (OpenStreetMap). https://www.opentopodata.org/. Accessed 2026-09-10. Elevation sampled at geocoded coordinates; location from OpenStreetMap data (ODbL).
  2. Backpacking — Death Valley National Park. National Park Service. https://www.nps.gov/deva/planyourvisit/backpacking.htm. Accessed 2026-09-10. License: Public domain (US government work). Telescope Peak route (7 mi to summit, 3,000 ft gain, maintained trail, strenuous), Arcane Meadows camping, winter conditions, and backcountry fire and group rules.
  3. Telescope Peak. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Telescope_Peak. Accessed 2026-09-10. License: CC BY-SA 4.0. Summit elevation (11,043 ft) and range context.
  4. Backcountry permit gateway. Recreation.gov / National Park Service. https://www.recreation.gov/gateways/2662. Accessed 2026-09-10. Permit information for Death Valley backcountry travel.