How to get there:
We drove from Lone Pine towards Death Valley, took
a right in the bottom of the large valley before
Death Valley, followed by a left turn (after several miles)
that heads up a canyon. This dirt road was quite pleasant until you reach
the Charcoal Kilns, where it became steep and rocky for the last mile up to
Mahogany Flats, where the trail starts. Route description:
There is a well marked trail that slowly gains elevation in the
south-east side of the mountain before Telescope peak.
The trail reaches a broad pass between the two mountains and
then continues on the west side around a small hill. Having reached the base
of Telescope itself, the trail zig-zags up between old trees to
the top ridge which is followed the last few meters to the
summit. The trail is well marked and an easy walk all the way. Comments:
This mountain is the only place where you can see
both the lowest (Badwater, Death Valley)
and the highest (Mount Whitney, Sierra Nevada) point in
the lower 48 states. The vertical drop of more than 3000
meter down to Badwater is also quite significant.