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Panorama from Mount Perry
Dantes Peak and Mount Perry
Death Valley, California
November 15, 2011
Distance: 14.5 km (9.0 mi)
Cumulative Elevation Gain: 589 m (1932 ft)
Dinah wanted to hike Dantes Peak and Mount Perry largely as an excuse to return to Death Valley, and at this time of the year, it worked out well. That day, we enjoyed much warmer weather there than in Las Vegas.
The route is utterly straightforward. Starting from Dantes Viewpoint parking lot, we hiked up Dantes Peak (a ten-minute trip) and then followed the ridge north to Mount Perry. Good trails aided our journey most of the way, but the 200 m elevation loss between the two peaks was disheartening. However, the trip was worth the views of Death Valley, especially of Telescope Peak (3454 m, the highest point in Death Valley) which rises above Badwater Basin, lying 282 m below sea level, the lowest point in North America.
Looking down at Badwater Basin from Dantes trailhead
A broad trail leads to the summit of Dantes Peak
Hiking up the trail
Dantes summit ahead
Panorama from Dantes Peak
Off to Mount Perry, the red hill on the left
Badwater Basin and Telescope Peak (mouse over to zoom in)
Looking back at Dantes Peak on the right
Still losing elevation
Approaching the red rocks of Mount Perry
Colourful landscape
Looking back along the ridge all the way to Dantes Peak
The summit is the second bump from the left
Flat expansive desert behind me
Almost at the summit
On Mount Perry
Looking past the summit
View northwest to Pyramid Peak (mouse over to zoom in)
Great basin collared lizard
Bat Mountain
Coffin Peak (centre) lies south of Dantes Peak
Ryan and Dantes View
(9.0 mi, 5712 ft, 5676 ft, 757 ft)
