Telescope Peak

Telescope Peak is the highest point of the Panamint Range at 3,366 meters (11,043 feet). From the summit, you can see across Death Valley on one side and the Sierra Nevada mountains on the other.

Indigenous peoples crossed the Panamint Range for centuries using seasonal routes between the surrounding valleys. The peak itself was named in the 19th century by surveyors working on early maps of California.

Native American tribes traversed the Panamint Range for generations, establishing seasonal pathways between valleys through the mountain passages.

The hike to the summit takes several hours and starts from Mahogany Flat Campground. Bring plenty of water and watch the weather, as conditions can change quickly at this elevation.

On clear days, you can see both the lowest point in North America at Badwater Basin and snow-capped Sierra peaks from the summit at the same time. This rare view connects two extremes of elevation in one location.

Location: Inyo County

Elevation above the sea: 3,366 m

GPS coordinates: 36.16985,-117.08921

Latest update: December 7, 2025 10:04