TELESCOPE PEAK

[Girl Hiker]

On my last day in Death Valley, I led a group to Telescope Peak. Driving on the road to Mahoganny campground requires a high clearance vehicle, but I saw a few sedans parked off the road half-way towards the campground. The weather forecast was a high of 50-degrees with wind gusts up to 45-50 mph. We were prepared. Or so I thought.

It was a beautiful, maintained trail with spectacular views. Prior to hiking we had talked with some guys who informed us that there would be strong winds on certain parts of the trail. They also told us how cold it was at the summit. Every bit of their information was true. For the most part the wind was calm but it was very windy at the saddle and after the switchbacks toward the summit. The last two miles were the toughest.

This was a training hike for Whitney. (I got my permit and am looking forward to a successful summit in September.) So I was so proud of myself for not getting elevation sickness. This was my highest hike of the year.

Anyways, the summit views were breathtaking. I found two benchmarks and there was a register. We sat behind a rock wall and ate lunch. In my opinion, the wind chill was tolerable.

We hung out for almost an hour but later regretted it. As we descended the peak, the winds really hit us hard. I was freezing. The wind was so strong, and I felt like it might knock me down. Even though I was prepared for the cold weather, it wasn't enough. We tried our best to hurry back but it was a long way to our cars. The winds never stopped.

Our plans to bag Bennet or Rogers peak on the return quickly came to a halt. I really enjoyed hiking to Telescope but next time I'll wait for better weather conditions.

Stats: 16 miles, 3300' gain

[Sean]

Good job! Now race up Baldy from the Village about two dozen times until you turn into a mountain climbing robot.

Beep boop. I am a robot. I climb Whitney.
One step. Two step. Three step.
Beep boop.
Up. Up. Up. Summit.
Beep boop.
Now I go down 11 miles.
One step. Two step. Three step.

[Girl Hiker]

I'll keep that in mind as I climb Whitney.
Beep Boop

[Uncle Rico]

I had the same experience atop Telescope when I climbed it. High winds and frigid temps. Only stayed on the summit a few minutes, then back-tracked to the switch-backs to shelter from the freezing wind for a celebratory beer. Camped a Mahogany which was very pleasant in contrast to Telescope itself.

[dima]

Did yall bring the scopes? One of them is in an ammo box; does it live there?

[Girl Hiker]

DIma-some kids ran ahead of us and brought the yellow scope in the amno box and left it there. So yes it now lives there.
The black one has been there for awhile.

[tekewin]

Great hike. I would've guessed more snow up top. Been on my list a long time. Some day.