Back to Recently
Mahogany Flats Sept 22-24, 2015
Death Valley from Mahogany Flats Campground
It was hitting around the century mark at home again so I decided to to find someplace cooler for a while. I decided on Death Valley National Park. I wanted to see if they had paved the section of road in Panamint Valley (No, has been gravel for several years). I also wanted to see if they had re opened Wildrose Road (Again no). I drove the long way to the top of Wildrose Road and found the gate open. I had breakfast down at the picnic area before heading up to Mahogany Flats. I went down Wildrose Road on the way back and found it is closed but not impassable. (The gates are open) Several spots had the roadbed washed out on a side but with enough left to navigate. There were small rocks swept across the road here and there but a lane had been cleared. Saved me 40 miles by not having to go back the way I came up. Did the Indian Ranch Road to Ballarat to avoid the gravel section and check out the Warm Sulphur Spring area. No water in the basin, 4th year of drought and late in the season.
Mahogany Charcoal Kilns
I hadn't been up on the side of Telescope Peak in years. I used to go there for my Birthday and try for the summit with Mike. I made several successful climbs of Telescope and several failures. When the gate is locked at the kilns I have to put a camp up at Mahogany Flats. The next day I could climb Telescope, come back down, pack up camp and hike back to the kilns. I've never made the summit starting at the kilns. One March we had to use snowshoes, we  turned back fairly early on that attempt.  (Telescope Peak)
No dogs on leash sign, so I made sure Mya wasn't on  a leash.
Warm Sulphur Springs and the little lake near Indian Ranch are dry, although a little muddy if you walk down far enough to the lakebed. (Only sink in an inch or so)
September 2015	January 2003
Mahogany Flats about 75 miles the short (Closed 9.58 miles) way, 115 miles otherwise. At 8133 feet the temperatures were in the 70s instead high 90s-100 at home