Tracy - Apr 20, 2006 5:52 am Date Climbed: Jun 9, 2001
Mahogany Flats Trail with 4 adults and 12 youth
This was hike #5 of five, ten-mile hikes we had planned for the boy scouts of Troop 199 to complete towards earning their hiking merit badge. The weather was beautiful. Adults inluded me, Bristol Ellington, Dr. Jeff Stokes, and Michael Cureton. Youth included Michael Cureton, Jared and Stanley Kuntz, DJ Kesterson, Seth Twitchell, Ben Anderson, Skyler Sudweeks, Josh Sillitoe, Austin Steadman, Lance Foutz, and David Mounteer. Craig Gimbel, the oldest youth, hid in the trees below the switchbacks and we didn't discover his abscence until we took a headcount on top of the peak. He did get credit for hiking ten miles (the rest of us hiked 14), but he also gets credit here for being the only one in our group who didn't bag the peak
Quadaxial - Apr 16, 2006 7:01 pm Date Climbed: Nov 5, 2005
Great glimpse of Whitney and Badwater
We camped on the ridge at about 9,500 feet within a little ring of trees. There was a light dusting of snow from about 10,200 on up. The summit was very windy and cold, and we took in great views of Whitney illuminated by the sun. Telescope provides the only opportunity to see the entire elevation cross-section of the contiguous U.S.!
EManBevHills - Feb 25, 2006 6:15 pm Date Climbed: Nov 10, 2001
Solo Via Mahogony Flats
Driving the car to the TH was the crux! Really pleasant day with quite a crowd atop.
mthilgard13 - Feb 21, 2006 7:35 am Date Climbed: Feb 17, 2006
Slipped in before the storm
Climbed with Korny, check out his description...it was really, really cold!
CPSLOKorny - Feb 20, 2006 9:28 am Date Climbed: Feb 17, 2006
Route Climbed: Mahogany Flat Trail
Camped at Thorndike Camp, Scott's Honda couldn't make it up the icy road. Patches of snow along the trail, snow quality varied from crunchy patches of snow to ice. Followed kicked steps and snowshoes. No snow or clouds in the morning, cool and with the windchill it was cold enough to make ice form in our exposed nalgenes. Watched the storm move in from the west, and escaped from Telescope Peak just as the snow began to fall.
hudsonvalleyslim - Feb 19, 2006 3:58 pm Date Climbed: May 24, 1987
Mahogany Flat Trail
(May 23-24, 1987) Mountain fever had me, so I hot-tailed it from the slopes of Mt. Whitney to the Mahogany Flat Campground at the head of Wildrose Canyon. Got some light snow that evening (camping at 8133') but had a fine time drinking hot-toddies with my new neighbors. We hit the trail early, an easy 7-mile trek to Telescope Peak, the highest peak in Death Valley (11049'). Many folks lunching on top.
Route Climbed: Mahogany Flat Date Climbed: February 9, 2006
Was able to drive more than a mile past the kilns, but the road was icy in spots. Very cool and crisp morning. A few icy patches on the trail right out of Mahogany Flat. The trial was clear of ice and snow most of the way up to the saddle. The wind was howling thru the saddle and along most of the high traverse. Once I reached the saddle below Telescope Peak the wind had subsided and the temps were very plesant. Mostly hard ice and snow made for nice cramponing up the ridge to the summit. Spectacular views from the top. Could see Charleston Peak to the East, the San Bernardino and San Gabriel Ranges to the South, White Mountains to the Northwest and the Sierras to the West. One of the best summit views I've ever seen from any mountain.
Route Climbed: Trail from Mahogany Flat Date Climbed: November 23rd, 2005
YES! Finally took this bad boy down. Had the mountain all to myself this day. Attempted Telescope last Thanksgiving but was turned back 1/4 mi. below the summit because of high snow conditions. This time there was absolutely no snow. Made the summit in 2h45m with a RT time of 5h30m for the 12 mi. trail. As usual, views were stunning and the wind at the top was strong and cold.
Route Climbed: Normal trail Date Climbed: Oct-23-2005
Hiked up the normal trail after abandoning an attempt to do the hike from Badwater due to rain and the closure of the Westside road.
Also, dayhiked up from Shorty's Well with Tony and ET (Oct-07). We exited via Mahogany Flats and we're lucky to get a ride back to Badwater with some tourists.
Route Climbed: Trail from Mahogany Flat Date Climbed: November 13th, 2005
Penelope May and I hiked the Mahogany trail to the Telescope Peak summit on November 13th, 2005. This was the second summit trip for Ms. May and the first tiime for me. The views from the summit are really special. I don't remember when I ever saw better view in all directions. Penelope thought she even recognised Mt. Baldy and San Jacinto way down on Southern California skyline. The view of High Sierra, Langley, Whitney, Russell, El Segundo Buttress of Whitney Portal and Charleston Peak to the East, were splendid.
Route Climbed: standard Date Climbed: March 24, 1997
reached summit with brothers Chris and Mike; Matthew didn't make it. Great hike with spectacular views, cool to find snow in Death Valley N.P., best view from saddle about 2 miles into hike-- covers breadth of Death Valley to the east and gives first glimpse of the snow-capped High Sierra to the west-- incredible to behold for first time.
Route Climbed: From Charcoal Kilns Date Climbed: June 6, 2005
After a longer-than-expected day on Mt. Whitney on Sunday (and a couple of other harder-than-expected days around Kennedy Meadows and Whitney Portal on Friday and Saturday), I changed plans from Irvine/McAdie today to find something with less snow... a DPS peak fit the bill. Telescope Peak was the only such peak for which I had a map with me, so I headed out here from Lone Pine.
Started from Charcoal Kilns via the road/trail, and returned along the ridge tagging Bennett and Rodgers before heading XC back down to the road. Nice, easy outing.
Route Climbed: Mahogany Flats Trail Date Climbed: June 2, 2005
Expected more snow, but we only had to cross a few small patches. We had to cut a few switchbacks near the top to avoid snow, but leaving the crampons in the car turned out to be a good decision. It was a nice day hike. We left Mahogany Flats at 9:15am, summitted at 12:30, and returned to Mahogany Flats at 3:30 after a long, relaxing lunch at the peak.
Route Climbed: Shortys Well to the summit and back Date Climbed: May 29, 2005
I think this qualifies as an "epic" day. 31 miles round trip. 11500+ ft gain. Starting point below sea level. Quite a bit of cross country. Some sections with a lot of loose scree. Starting temperature 92 degrees at 4:00am. Definitely would have been easier to take the trail down to Mahagony Flat. But as usual I opted for the hard way (all the way back down to the bottom). Snow still on top slowed me down a bit but once I got to that point absolutely nothing was going to turn me back. As I expected, this was an agonizingly long hike: the most distance, most gain, and longest time for any dayhike I have done.
Tracy - Apr 20, 2006 5:52 am Date Climbed: Jun 9, 2001
Mahogany Flats Trail with 4 adults and 12 youthThis was hike #5 of five, ten-mile hikes we had planned for the boy scouts of Troop 199 to complete towards earning their hiking merit badge. The weather was beautiful. Adults inluded me, Bristol Ellington, Dr. Jeff Stokes, and Michael Cureton. Youth included Michael Cureton, Jared and Stanley Kuntz, DJ Kesterson, Seth Twitchell, Ben Anderson, Skyler Sudweeks, Josh Sillitoe, Austin Steadman, Lance Foutz, and David Mounteer. Craig Gimbel, the oldest youth, hid in the trees below the switchbacks and we didn't discover his abscence until we took a headcount on top of the peak. He did get credit for hiking ten miles (the rest of us hiked 14), but he also gets credit here for being the only one in our group who didn't bag the peak
Quadaxial - Apr 16, 2006 7:01 pm Date Climbed: Nov 5, 2005
Great glimpse of Whitney and BadwaterWe camped on the ridge at about 9,500 feet within a little ring of trees. There was a light dusting of snow from about 10,200 on up. The summit was very windy and cold, and we took in great views of Whitney illuminated by the sun. Telescope provides the only opportunity to see the entire elevation cross-section of the contiguous U.S.!
EManBevHills - Feb 25, 2006 6:15 pm Date Climbed: Nov 10, 2001
Solo Via Mahogony FlatsDriving the car to the TH was the crux! Really pleasant day with quite a crowd atop.
mthilgard13 - Feb 21, 2006 7:35 am Date Climbed: Feb 17, 2006
Slipped in before the stormClimbed with Korny, check out his description...it was really, really cold!
CPSLOKorny - Feb 20, 2006 9:28 am Date Climbed: Feb 17, 2006
Route Climbed: Mahogany Flat TrailCamped at Thorndike Camp, Scott's Honda couldn't make it up the icy road. Patches of snow along the trail, snow quality varied from crunchy patches of snow to ice. Followed kicked steps and snowshoes. No snow or clouds in the morning, cool and with the windchill it was cold enough to make ice form in our exposed nalgenes. Watched the storm move in from the west, and escaped from Telescope Peak just as the snow began to fall.
hudsonvalleyslim - Feb 19, 2006 3:58 pm Date Climbed: May 24, 1987
Mahogany Flat Trail(May 23-24, 1987) Mountain fever had me, so I hot-tailed it from the slopes of Mt. Whitney to the Mahogany Flat Campground at the head of Wildrose Canyon. Got some light snow that evening (camping at 8133') but had a fine time drinking hot-toddies with my new neighbors. We hit the trail early, an easy 7-mile trek to Telescope Peak, the highest peak in Death Valley (11049'). Many folks lunching on top.
mdostby - Feb 10, 2006 9:59 am
Route Climbed: Mahogany Flat Date Climbed: February 9, 2006Was able to drive more than a mile past the kilns, but the road was icy in spots. Very cool and crisp morning. A few icy patches on the trail right out of Mahogany Flat. The trial was clear of ice and snow most of the way up to the saddle. The wind was howling thru the saddle and along most of the high traverse. Once I reached the saddle below Telescope Peak the wind had subsided and the temps were very plesant. Mostly hard ice and snow made for nice cramponing up the ridge to the summit. Spectacular views from the top. Could see Charleston Peak to the East, the San Bernardino and San Gabriel Ranges to the South, White Mountains to the Northwest and the Sierras to the West. One of the best summit views I've ever seen from any mountain.
Steve Larson - Jan 15, 2006 10:32 pm
Route Climbed: Mahogany Flat trail Date Climbed: January 15, 2006Temps in the teens and wind 20-30 mph most of the day. Incredible views all around from the top.
jefflach - Dec 6, 2005 6:07 pm
Route Climbed: Trail from Mahogany Flat Date Climbed: December 4th, 2005Beautiful hike. I reached the summit just as the sun was setting.
blmcclain - Nov 25, 2005 11:22 pm
Route Climbed: Trail from Mahogany Flat Date Climbed: November 23rd, 2005YES! Finally took this bad boy down. Had the mountain all to myself this day. Attempted Telescope last Thanksgiving but was turned back 1/4 mi. below the summit because of high snow conditions. This time there was absolutely no snow. Made the summit in 2h45m with a RT time of 5h30m for the 12 mi. trail. As usual, views were stunning and the wind at the top was strong and cold.
graham - Nov 25, 2005 5:40 pm
Route Climbed: Normal trail Date Climbed: Oct-23-2005Hiked up the normal trail after abandoning an attempt to do the hike from Badwater due to rain and the closure of the Westside road.
Also, dayhiked up from Shorty's Well with Tony and ET (Oct-07). We exited via Mahogany Flats and we're lucky to get a ride back to Badwater with some tourists.
asmrz - Nov 15, 2005 9:41 pm
Route Climbed: Trail from Mahogany Flat Date Climbed: November 13th, 2005Penelope May and I hiked the Mahogany trail to the Telescope Peak summit on November 13th, 2005. This was the second summit trip for Ms. May and the first tiime for me. The views from the summit are really special. I don't remember when I ever saw better view in all directions. Penelope thought she even recognised Mt. Baldy and San Jacinto way down on Southern California skyline. The view of High Sierra, Langley, Whitney, Russell, El Segundo Buttress of Whitney Portal and Charleston Peak to the East, were splendid.
HeyItsBen - Oct 25, 2005 10:01 pm
Route Climbed: Main trail Date Climbed: October 13 2005Perfect time of year, amazing views!
Bob Sihler - Sep 27, 2005 8:21 pm
Route Climbed: standard Date Climbed: March 24, 1997reached summit with brothers Chris and Mike; Matthew didn't make it. Great hike with spectacular views, cool to find snow in Death Valley N.P., best view from saddle about 2 miles into hike-- covers breadth of Death Valley to the east and gives first glimpse of the snow-capped High Sierra to the west-- incredible to behold for first time.
Dennis Poulin - Aug 25, 2005 6:41 pm
Route Climbed: Mahogany Campground Trail Date Climbed: 19 August 2005Beautiful day for a great hike. Not too hot if you start early.
easleygone - Jul 31, 2005 10:40 am
Route Climbed: Trail Date Climbed: July 1996Pretty much a long walk, and much cooler than the
Death Valley scene below you. Lots of interesting
sites including some ancient kilns from long ago.
DeeDee - Jul 26, 2005 10:38 pm
Route Climbed: Mahogany Flats Trail Date Climbed: November 29, 2002Summited in a snow storm.
Matthew Holliman - Jul 17, 2005 10:58 pm
Route Climbed: From Charcoal Kilns Date Climbed: June 6, 2005After a longer-than-expected day on Mt. Whitney on Sunday (and a couple of other harder-than-expected days around Kennedy Meadows and Whitney Portal on Friday and Saturday), I changed plans from Irvine/McAdie today to find something with less snow... a DPS peak fit the bill. Telescope Peak was the only such peak for which I had a map with me, so I headed out here from Lone Pine.
Started from Charcoal Kilns via the road/trail, and returned along the ridge tagging Bennett and Rodgers before heading XC back down to the road. Nice, easy outing.
ajc7 - Jun 4, 2005 8:34 pm
Route Climbed: Mahogany Flats Trail Date Climbed: June 2, 2005Expected more snow, but we only had to cross a few small patches. We had to cut a few switchbacks near the top to avoid snow, but leaving the crampons in the car turned out to be a good decision. It was a nice day hike. We left Mahogany Flats at 9:15am, summitted at 12:30, and returned to Mahogany Flats at 3:30 after a long, relaxing lunch at the peak.
Rick Kent - May 31, 2005 8:58 pm
Route Climbed: Shortys Well to the summit and back Date Climbed: May 29, 2005I think this qualifies as an "epic" day. 31 miles round trip. 11500+ ft gain. Starting point below sea level. Quite a bit of cross country. Some sections with a lot of loose scree. Starting temperature 92 degrees at 4:00am. Definitely would have been easier to take the trail down to Mahagony Flat. But as usual I opted for the hard way (all the way back down to the bottom). Snow still on top slowed me down a bit but once I got to that point absolutely nothing was going to turn me back. As I expected, this was an agonizingly long hike: the most distance, most gain, and longest time for any dayhike I have done.