Near Towne Pass

Some Panamint Range peaks see from two miles west of Towne Pass. The Panamints are not all Telescope Peak and its immediate neighbors, as one can see here. There's some nice scrambling and ridgetop walking up there, with interesting volcanic rocks and great views, but the easiest way up is not the approach suggested by this picture. What the picture doesn't show is a deep drainage just below the road. It is better to drive east a bit (to the right from this viewpoint) until the drainage rises to the road level, and from there to hike the very steep slopes up to the ridgeline. Death Valley National Park, California-- April 2003