Telescope Peak

[Florian]

A few pics and links from Telescope Peak and Death Valley this past week. I camped at Mahogany Flat the night before. I had the campground and the entire trail all to myself! After the hike i spent a night at Panamint Springs and then a night in Lone Pine before heading home.

Photos .. http://www.flickr.com/photos/fboyd/sets ... 94/detail/

Video from the summit .. http://youtu.be/BqnEbDsMNmg

Garmin track .. http://connect.garmin.com/activity/222664519

The day was clear and sun was warm but wind was gusting to 25 MPH along the ridge north of Bennett Peak with the temp around 54°. Trailhead to summit 6.28 miles per GPS taking 2 hours 35 minutes hiking time. Took "shortcut" down over Rogers Peak and down the radio relay road but turned out to be longer way. Total distance 13.14 miles per GPS taking 5 hours 46 minutes total time.

The road to Mahogany Flat is quite rutted from recent rains. I don't usually have to engage 4x4 on my truck but i did this time. I would not attempt going beyond the charcoal kilns with a passenger car.

And there are lots of Europeans in DV this time of year. Brush up on your German and French.

-Florian

[madmxe]

My son and I did this exact hike in June and really enjoyed it. Looks like you had clearer skies. I am curious how you ID'd that one pic as being a missile contrail. I never would have guessed that in a million years. Not doubting you at all, just wondering. Enjoyed your pics. It is a very mysterious area. Thanks.

[madmxe]

http://www.space.com/17600-ufo-reports- ... -test.html

Did I answer my own question?

[Florian]

Did I answer my own question?

Yup, that's it! I was just looking for a link for you and then saw that you found it yourself. I was surprised to find it was a launch in New Mexico. I was thinking was closer maybe from Area 51 in Nevada.

Here is a better pic from one of my flickr friends .. http://flic.kr/p/daGASD

-Florian

[madmxe]

That is really cool. We visited White Sands Missile Range a couple of years ago. That you saw a launch from TP is awesome! Good shot too.
When we did our TP hike the Air Force put on an aerial refueling show for us right over Mahogany Flats. Always something going on out there.

[Hikin_Jim]

Cool stuff, Florian. One of these days I need to get out there.

HJ

[arocknoid]

Terrific TR, Florian, and what pleasant solitude that must have been.

Hanaupah Canyon makes for an interesting side (main!) excursion, with a lushness and variety in contrast to the stark and sere surroundings. And small surprises.

Has been too long since I trod those hills; hard to find enough time for that getaway, which really needs more than two days incl travel time.
That dry thin mountaintop air surely makes for some fine celestial viewing. uh...right! sez me friend, Casey Grain. ;)

BTW that's some funky chairside accoutrements ya got there, at PV. Can't quite decipher the hanging arm...

kind regards,
arocknoid


PS: HJ asks, "D'you know the name of that missile?" Just tell him, "Of course it is."
First base.

[tinaballina]

Nice TR Florian.

[Ulysses]

Great report Florian. Thanks for sharing. I think I camped at that same campsite when I passed through Panamint Springs. Funky place.

[Perry]

Does it seem like YouTube under-counts a lot of videos? This thread has about 600 views, but Florian's video supposedly only has 31 views?