Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Telescope Peak

A little out of the area I know but...

What are the best directions to Telescope Peak from LA? Should I stay on the 14 all the way to Ridgecrest or take the Randsburg Redrock Road to Trona Road? Any other travel tips to know about?

How bad is the road from the Charcoal Kilns to Mahogany Flats campground? I've heard stories from bad to really bad. Would a 2wd car make it if I crept along slowly?

Thanks!

James

395 then hang a right before you get to Johannesburg, eventually you go through Trona and enter the park.

The road from the Kilns maybe be ok for cars or it might not. I been up it with a car but I've up it when a car would not have made it.

If you stay with 395 to 178 at Inyokern you would have services available to you before you leave Ridgecrest if you wish anything more than what Trona has to offer, which is gas and the three gas station food major food groups: plastic wrapper or container, glass container, and aluminum container.

Dale B. Dalrymple
http://dbdimages.com

Stop exaggerating what is a available in Trona.

LOL! That's funny, I've driven through Trona at night in winter so driving through in summer daylight should be interesting.

As for the drive, thanks for the tips. I won't be on the 395 though because I am coming from the 118 to 5 to 14 through Palmdale. My choices appear to be the turn off before Redrock (on Redrock Randsburg road) or to continue on to the Inyokern turnoff by Ridgecrest. Maybe it's 6 of one, half dozen of the other. I'll be driving up really early morning and will likely drive on through to the trailhead so whichever way gets me there the easiest will be fine.

Thanks again.

James

Sorry wbtravis, sometimes I over analyze.

And of course, for someone coming from LA I should have said stay on 14 to 178.

Dale B. Dalrymple

Awesome, thanks!

Hwy 14 to Garlock cutoff - just south of Jawbone
this takes you to 395 just north of Johannesburg - take a left up the hill on 395 then R on Searles Station Rd which will lead to Trona - fastest way from LA

Puma--

I recommend the Ransburge Road--its fast moving and cuts the distance. Skipping Ridgecrest saves time.

The road up to Mahogany is probably ok for 2-wheel this time of year, although clearance would help. But if the area was hit with a summer rain storm there may be rocks down, and all bets are off.

The campground at the Flats is wonderful--views into Death Valley on one side, Sierras on the other. The last site at the end of the camp road is my favorite. Note that camp is right on the ridge, so you could have plenty of wind.

Hey Puma

I was up there in April and the dreaded road from the kilns was in beautiful shape and easily navigated in a 2wd. There was still a little bit of snow but it was in great shape then with no washouts. If there were no thunderstorms in that area you should be fine.

The campgrounds there are awesome and free - bring lots of water!

Wow, more great info, thanks!

Tomcat, Jawbone canyon is south of Randsburg road cutoff. Is there another cutoff you're referring to or is Randsburg road the one you mean?

The Redrock Randsburg road intersects with Garlock Rd. Garlock road then heads northeast to the 395 and Redrock Randsburg heads southeast to the 395. Redrock road looks like the way to go then north to Searles cutoff to Trona Rd. 10 178.

Should be fun! Thanks again.

eek - my head was pointed wrong direction - Garlock cutoff is north of Jawbone - when you get to the intersection of randsburg rd - bear left and continue -come out on 395 - turn north on 395 - at the top of the hill you will turn right on Searles station rd - I believe that to be faster than going through randsburg-joburg to get to the trona road.

If you decide to take Garlock road,you should know that it could be closed if we get a good rainstorm. My guess is that for the next few weeks we could get such a rainstorm. So please be safe!

Re: Trona - there's a new gas station/deli there. Think it's called "Big T" or something like that? Has competitive gas prices, clean restrooms, and a deli plus the usual groceries found at a convenience store. It's a nice oasis.

Puma,

When are you planning on going? Im trying to get this hike in also, maybe this week...

Ron

Thanks to all for the great tips, the drive was great and all roads in great shape. That is until Wildrose road, which is a mess. Large potholes, puddles and generally torn up from last week's thunderstorms. Had to drive slow and careful through stretches. The pavement to the kilns is in great shape but the last two miles of dirt road to the kilns was rugged, large rocks and torn up. At the kilns, I took a look at the road up to Mahogany Flats and decided against it. I parked at the kilns and was glad I did, very muddy, steep, rocky on the way up. Closer to the campground was ok but down lower would have been trouble.

Great hike, great views, cool breezes despite 117 at Badwater. Sparse vegetation with wildflowers, bristlecone pines and deer (did not see any bighorns though). Highly recommend it, not many places where you can look down below sea level. Also recommend a truck for the road up to Mahogany campground. The hike up and down the road was the least fun part of the trip. However, hiking it was better than getting stuck on that road with a ruptured oil pan!

I will be heading to Telescope tomorrow,leaving Palmdale at about 430 am and returning home after the hike.

This is the next altitude and distance up from my training hikes over the last year in preparation of a Whitney attempt on August 21st. I have been all over the Angeles Forest and just returned from Lassen Volcanic national Park were the family and I hiked Lassen Peak, Broke Off mountain and several other trails. I want to increase my altitude and distance now in the next couple of weeks to see how the body reacts. Baldy is on the list along with White Mountain.

Thanks for the update Puma, I have a 4runner so I will take it slow and careful on the dirt road stretch to Mahogany Flats.

FF Ron,
Telescope is a nice hike with great views. If you want extra distance to get ready for Whitney, park at the charcoal kilns. That will add 3 miles (rt) and over 1000 feet of elevation gain to your hike. Also recommend Baldy via Bear Flat or Ski Hut trails, San Gorgonio via Vivian Creek trail. Good luck!

HI Folks,

Just returned from Telescope Peak, left the house at 0430 and was on the trail by 0800. 4runner made it to Mahogany Flat without any problem (Just drive slow) Had the trail to myself all the way to the summit. Temps were 75-85 all day. Nice trail with a lot of different types of terrain was on top at 1200, probably could of rushed and shaved 30-40 minutes off but the photographer in me slowed me down. Plus leaving the house so early I took a few breaks to snack. Spent 30 minutes on top and headed back down. The steeper down parts of the trail seems to be tougher for me having had a couple of knee surgeries and probably needing a couple of more. Ran into one other coming up as I went down, spent about 20 minutes chatting with him then headed for the 4runner. Down by 3:50 and on the road, got home by 7:00 pm.

Great hike but I learned a few things..Everything I took to eat didn't taste good (except the hot tamale candies and Nature peanut butter bars) I also need to get rid of some weight in my camelbak. Also my feet took a beating for the first time ever..

Will have to work on a few different things. I know this isn't Whitney related but this is a step in the direction of Whitney.

Thanks for all the tips, White mountain is next.

FF Ron,

Congrats on the successful hike! Regarding the knees, etc., make sure you use hiking poles, they help the knees a LOT on downhills. Maybe you are already using them.

As for White Mountain, good luck, that's a nice one too. However, if you have not done Whitney before, you should seriously consider the Bear Flat trail up Baldy or the Vivian Creek trail up San Gorgonio (or similar trail with big elevation gain and distance). Vivian Creek requires a permit but you can call the office and they usually have self-issue permits outside on the way to the trailhead. Bear Flat does not require a permit. Bear Flat is close to the same altitude gain as Whitney. SanG is a bit less gain but is long and tough, somewhat similar to the main Whitney trail.

Good luck!