The snow-free hiking trail from Mahogany Flats is on the east side of the North Ridge while the popular winter trail is along the North Ridge itself (Ref: Keith Martin).
Hiked Telescope yesterday 5/7/15- the Wildrose-Trona road was closed between the junction with Panamint Valley Rd and the Wildrose CG. Emigrant Canyon Rd is open the whole way. Also for what it's worth, I was able to get up to Mahogany flats in a Toyota Camry with pretty much no problem. It was definitely bumpy, but not rutted out like the description says here. Maybe I just caught it at a good time- I would say high clearance is recommended but not a must.
Road: We rented a Yukon SUV in Vegas expecting to need high clearance but the road from the Kilns to Mahogany Flat was fairly well maintained and passable with any non-low rider. There were a few ruts but we found that a Lexus and a VW Passat had arrived before us.
Temperature: Passing through Stovepipe Wells, the air temp was 123 degrees on June 8th. Road surfaces are probably fifty or so degrees higher. Odds of tire problems in DVNP go up substantially. Make sure you have a functional full size spare and jack in whatever you're driving. Drive slow on dirt roads after your tires have been exposed to high heat. Auto Service at Furnace not available when temps are above 110 F. You may be driving on a spare to Beatty or Pahrump.
Wind: If you're camping at Mahogany, plan for high winds at night. I'd estimate 20-35 mph wind sustained with strong gusts most of the night. Bring plenty of stakes to secure your fly, or better yet just go without it. Better plan is to camp below the ridge at the second high camp and drive to Mahogany the day you hike.
The climb: Moderately steep for the first 2 miles, levels off for a few miles then easy switchbacks to the peak. Spectacular views. Garmin registered a bit less than 13 miles round trip. 3.5 hours up.
Currently Mahogany Flats is unaccessible due to upper wildrose road being closed. The road is being repaired from flash floods and there is no completion date being posted by the NPS at this time.
John - Sep 25, 2001 12:36 pm - Hasn't voted
Untitled CommentThe snow-free hiking trail from Mahogany Flats is on the east side of the North Ridge while the popular winter trail is along the North Ridge itself (Ref: Keith Martin).
forjan - Sep 26, 2001 4:31 pm - Hasn't voted
Untitled CommentRogers Peak (9,994 ft) and Bennett Peak (9,980 ft) are short scrambles from the Telescope Peak summer trail.
Wildrose Peak (9,064 ft) offers a fine summit view and can be easily climbed from the Charcoal Kilns via a trail.
alexlennon - May 8, 2015 4:32 pm - Hasn't voted
Road AccessHiked Telescope yesterday 5/7/15- the Wildrose-Trona road was closed between the junction with Panamint Valley Rd and the Wildrose CG. Emigrant Canyon Rd is open the whole way. Also for what it's worth, I was able to get up to Mahogany flats in a Toyota Camry with pretty much no problem. It was definitely bumpy, but not rutted out like the description says here. Maybe I just caught it at a good time- I would say high clearance is recommended but not a must.
Rigel007 - Jun 12, 2016 12:54 pm - Hasn't voted
June 10th 2016Road: We rented a Yukon SUV in Vegas expecting to need high clearance but the road from the Kilns to Mahogany Flat was fairly well maintained and passable with any non-low rider. There were a few ruts but we found that a Lexus and a VW Passat had arrived before us.
Temperature: Passing through Stovepipe Wells, the air temp was 123 degrees on June 8th. Road surfaces are probably fifty or so degrees higher. Odds of tire problems in DVNP go up substantially. Make sure you have a functional full size spare and jack in whatever you're driving. Drive slow on dirt roads after your tires have been exposed to high heat. Auto Service at Furnace not available when temps are above 110 F. You may be driving on a spare to Beatty or Pahrump.
Wind: If you're camping at Mahogany, plan for high winds at night. I'd estimate 20-35 mph wind sustained with strong gusts most of the night. Bring plenty of stakes to secure your fly, or better yet just go without it. Better plan is to camp below the ridge at the second high camp and drive to Mahogany the day you hike.
The climb: Moderately steep for the first 2 miles, levels off for a few miles then easy switchbacks to the peak. Spectacular views. Garmin registered a bit less than 13 miles round trip. 3.5 hours up.
oliverd - Nov 20, 2018 3:45 am - Hasn't voted
Great walk but poor views in NovemberEnjoyed the hike in mid November, but limited visibility due to terrible fires in California.
Road was in bad condition about two miles before Charcoal Kilns (was in slightly better condition from Charcoal Kilns to Mahogany Flat Campground).
https://hikingtheworld.blog/2018/11/10/telescope-peak-death-valley/
Gman182 - Apr 28, 2019 8:50 am - Hasn't voted
Road closuresCurrently Mahogany Flats is unaccessible due to upper wildrose road being closed. The road is being repaired from flash floods and there is no completion date being posted by the NPS at this time.