Panamint Butte

Overview

This is the massive looking peak on the NE side of Panamint Valley. It's huge stripes are impressive and hint at an interesting Geologic past. According to Andy Zdons book the summit is capped with 3 to 5 million yr old basalt lava flow.

All the routes are interesting and make for a challenging day. The summit itself is somewhat anticlimatic being rather flat at the top - after all, it is a butte. But the views all around you more than make up for that.

Visit the dunes at the North end of the valley after your hike/climb. They are supposed to occasionally make a mysterious humming noise. There are various theories as to what causes this, but nobody knows for sure

Getting There

For the Panamint Valley Ridge route, from Highway 190 in Panamint Valley, follow the graded road branching north from Highway 190, two miles east of the junction with Panamint Valley Road. Follow this road 5.7 miles to where the road curves towards the mts and head s toward the Big Four Mine. It's 4x4 road from here and be careful. When I was there last part of the road was wiped out from a flash flood, and it was easy to stray off the right path

For the Towne Pass route, take Highway 190 to the top of Towne Pass and park. This is the pass between Death Valley proper and Panamint Valley

For the Lemoigne Canyon route, drive 6 miles west from Stove Pipe Wells on Highway 190 and turn on the Lemoigne Canyon road. Follow this rough 4x4 road about 5 miles to the end and park. This is supposed to be a very rough road with potentially deep wash outs - high clearance required!!

Red Tape

None - just go!

When To Climb

November through April is ideal. It can get snowy in the winter. Summer would be inadvisable as it would be very HOT, HOT, HOT!!

Camping

Death Valley is pretty lenient on camping. Andy Zdon's Book Desert Summits recommends the Lemoigne Canyon route as an overnight backpack.

Miscellaneous Info

Check out Andy Zdons Book Desert Summits

Images

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