Overview
Zinc from Highway 190 Zinc Hill gets your attention to the south when driving down into Panamint Valley on Hwy. 190 from the Darwin Plateau en route to Death Valley. It is the northern most peak in the Argus Mountains. This is the range on the west side of Panamint Valley across from
Telescope Peak and the Panamint Range. Zinc has 3 summits. The middle one is the highest.
This is a moderate day hike accessed via the road to Darwin Falls. There are sweeping views of the northern part of Panamint Valley, the
Panamint Range to the east, the Nelson Range and Hunter Mountain to the north. The High Sierra rises to the west as well as the southern part of the
Inyo Mountains to the northwest and the Coso Range to the southwest.
Getting There
Northern Panamint Valley from Zinc Hill From Hwy. 190 at Panamint Springs go 1 mile north to the (signed) Darwin Canyon Road, the road to
Darwin Falls. Follow the Darwin Canyon Road past Darwin Falls trailhead (at 2.4 miles), Continue about 2 more miles to the base of the northeast slope of Zinc Hill at about 3,600'. 2WD high clearance is recommended. Hike up the wash about half a mile then left on an old mining road to a big cairn on the right. From there take a mining trail to the saddle west of the summit. This is approximately 5 miles round trip with 2,000' gain. Or you can just scramble up the more interesting and more challenging northwest ridge over the north summit to the main summit from about a mile past Darwin Falls at 3000'. This is about 7 miles round trip with approximately 3,000' gain.
Red Tape
Panamint Range and Zinc Hill from the Darwin Plateau There are not permits or posted restrictions for this dayhike.
This is an old mining area so it is good to be on the lookout for any old mining hazards.
Camping
Across Panamint Valley to the Argus Range from Towne Peak There is a campground at
Panamint Springs at 2,200' open year-round with no reservations.
Current weather conditions for the Death Valley area
For current weather and 5 day forecast
click here.
Further reading on hiking desert peaks
Desert Summits by Andy Zdon is
the book on hiking desert peaks in California and Southern Nevada.