After making the long drive to Mahogany Flat the previous day, the stage was set to ascend Death Valley’s highest point, Telescope Peak. While spending the night at Mahogany Flat, all I had to do was walk over to the trailhead. The trail elevates to the ridge connecting Rogers Peak to Telescope Peak. Bennett Peak sits right in between.

The trail starts in a pinion forest. On the ridge, it is mostly treeless. When approaching Telescope Peak, it becomes a bristlecone pine forest. The hike has no switchbacks until the final stages of the climb up Telescope Peak. The summit is highly regarded for its views, although this summer visit was obscured by seasonal haze. Got to spend time with the donated telescope sitting on the summit, though! On the way back, I diverted from the trail to summit Bennett Peak. There was no use trail, I just went right up the side when the feeling felt right.