I kicked off the Great Summer Road Trip 2025 with the highest point in Death Valley National Park.
Most people have probably heard of Badwater and know that it's the lowest point in North America. Or, maybe they don't know that and I'm stuck in a Jeopardy echo chamber.
In any case, Death Valley also has lots of mountains, including Telescope peak. At 11,043', it's the highest point in the Park. The trail is more on the moderate side of hard if you're acclimated, and it includes a 2 mile section in the middle that's slightly sloped upward as you're leaving. That section only gains about 100'.
Almost from the very beginning I saw what I didn't think was the peak. It looked too close and I thought it was hiding the real peak. In fact, it is the peak itself. It does somewhat have a false summit, but the real summit is only about 50' higher than the false one so it's not much of an issue.
The trail is a little narrow and loose in parts; I was only able to pick up speed in the return on the flat section.
For some, getting to the trailhead might be an adventure unto itself. It's a long drive from L.A., then the last several miles are dirt. I think - as it was when I visited it - any 2WD could at least get to the charcoal kilns. To get to the Mahogany Flat campground (~8100') where the trailhead is, you'd have to be very careful in a 2WD or low clearance vehicle, and you might even need to get out and move a rock or two. My Subaru Forester didn't have any trouble and I didn't need to move any rocks. The campground itself is attractive.
But, if you do the hike it gets better: the summit has great views, especially of the Death Valley floor.
Afterward I was somewhat surprised to see that gas prices in Stovepipe Wells were competitive with some of the higher-priced stations in Los Angeles: 87 was going for $4.81. I didn't check out the prices at Furnace Creek.
I briefly took a stroll at the Mesquite Flat sand dunes, braving temps of about 155F. While it wasn't packed, I was not the only one doing that. I didn't go out too far.
