Overview
Manly Beacon is a towering spire that rises above the Death Valley Badlands. The peak stands out in stark contrast to the backdrop of the Red Cathedral formation and the surrounding mud hills. The peak is not on the standard Golden Canyon to Zabriskie Point trail, but its dramatic relief attracts interest from hikers and climbers alike. Since it is not part of the standard route, there is no official trailhead. The best point to begin the approach is to head north from the Golden Canyon Interpretative Trail at UTM Coord. 11S 515857E 4030538N and follow the gulley up (see posted Topo pic). Once due east of the peak, any one of the three ridges will lead to the spine (with the middle ridge being the easiest choice).
Geological History
The unique landscape of the Badlands owes its appearance to the one material that is in short supply in Death Valley: water. The Badlands now exist in what was once a prehistoric lake. Mud and slit from the surrounding mountains washed down into the lake when the National Park was once a wetter environment. The silts settled to the bottom and was compressed and weakly cemented into soft rock over time. The clay minerals in the mudstone are shaped like tiny plates. These plates act like roof shingles, preventing water from penetrating the surface. The combination of the almost impermeable mudstone and Death Valley’s scant rainfall makes plant growth and soil development nearly impossible. If one looks closely at the photos, on some of the hills a layer of black rock covers the yellowish underlying layers. This is the result of volcanic debris deposited in the lake bottom when the Valley was rimmed by ancient volcanos. This layer forms a protective cap on the soft underlying sediments.
As the climate shifted, the lake dried and a geological upheaval (known as the Pacific Plate crashing into the North American plate) caused the landscape to tilt. This tilt is easily identified in the rock strata. At Death Valley rainfall is intense but sporadic. Very long periods of drought are punctuated with drenching downpours. With so little vegetation and no soil, when water reaches the ground, there is nothing to absorb the rainfall. During Death Valley’s rain showers, water hits the surface and immediately begins to rush down the steep slopes, sweeping along particles of loosened mud. The rate of erosion can be incredible! Tiny rills are quickly carved into the soft mudstone. The more water in the downpour, the more rills are needed to carry the water away. Rills cut deeper to form gullys. Badlands are the ultimate result-nature’s way of efficiently moving lots of water quickly.
As the pic in this section demonstrates (see footprints), once the top crusty layer is punctured, the soil is quite powdery and very difficult to gain purchase in.
Getting There
From Northern California, take CA-120 through Yosemite to US-395/Lee Vining Junction. Turn right onto US-395. Proceed to the town of Lone Pine and turn left on CA-136 just south of the town limits. Follow CA-136 for 17.5 miles where CA-136 turns into CA-190. Stay on CA-190 for 86 miles until reaching the town of Furnace Creek. Turn right onto Death Valley highway about 1 mile after passing through Furnace Creek (just past the Sea Level sign).
In winter CA-120 closes from mid-October through April. An alternative route is to take I-5 south to CA-46 east. At US-99, procede south through Bakersfield to CA-58. At the junction of CA-14 turn north and proceed as descibed below. To get the latest weather and road conditions, call the Caltrans information line: 1.800.427.ROAD.
From Northern California, take CA-120 through Yosemite to US-395/Lee Vining Junction. Turn right onto US-395. Proceed to the town of Lone Pine and turn left on CA-136 just south of the town limits. Follow CA-136 for 17.5 miles where CA-136 turns into CA-190. Stay on CA-190 for 86 miles until reaching the town of Furnace Creek. Turn right onto Death Valley highway about 1 mile after passing through Furnace Creek (just past the Sea Level sign).
From Los Angeles, take CA 14 north. Just before the highway enters Red Rock Canyon State Park, turn right on the road to Randsburg. At the only major fork in the road (before it hits US 395), go left. At the junction with US 395, turn left. Go about 2 miles and take the road to Trona. When this roads ends at CA 178, go right. Pass through Trona and descend into Panamint Valley. At the junction go left and proceed to the CA-190 junction. Turn right towards Death Valley via Towne Pass and proceed as described above.
From Las Vegas, take US 95 north to Beatty, then NV 58 to CA 190. Turn left towards Furnace Creek and proceed as described above.
Red Tape
No permits are required but the peak does lie within the national park boundaries and one should pay the park fee. No reservations are required and the peak is open year round. However, summer temperatures make life in the valley nearly intolerable and extreme caution is advised.
When To Climb
The peak is open year round.
Camping
Camping is not allowed in the Badlands. However, Furnace Creek has three campgrounds with several campsites each. The campgrounds can accommodate tents, car camping and RVs. There is a fee of $10 per night at the campgrounds.
Mountain Conditions
As with any hiking in Death Valley, summers are extremely hot (temps normally hover around 120 deg. F. Temps in the winter are comfortable in the high 60's to low 70's but night temps can drop into the low 30's to high 20's. Always check the forecast for possible rain showers. The lack of vegitation in the national park makes for tremendous flash floods that can occur without warning.
Images
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Death Valley
