Corkscrew Peak in Death Valley National Park, CA

Hike Corkscrew Peak Death Valley National Park, CA

Class 2 7.4 miles 3300 gain 3-5 hrs Out + Back Nov 14, 2017
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

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Corkscrew Peak is a landmark in Death Valley National Park. It's even marked by a sign on Daylight Pass Road, prompting visitors to look up at the peak's twisted summit bands. The hike begins by wandering north through the desert in an attempt to find any sort of social trail. I knew the peak was popular enough to warrant a trail, but it wasn't clear from the start. Instead I just followed the slowly ascending desert terrain until I located hints of a trail. Cairns led me northwest into a minor drainage and then quickly left the drainage to ascend a minor ridge. The trail became very clear from this point. The ensuing hike was a bit of a slog up the easy ridgeline with some steep sections. A couple of cliff bands added some light scrambling to the hike. the last half mile had great views down Death Valley.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
Corkscrew Peak
5804 ft
644 rise

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It was a bit difficult to find the trail at first, but after wandering north up a big desert wash I stumbled on cairns and a social trail.
It was a bit difficult to find the trail at first, but after wandering north up a big desert wash I stumbled on cairns and a social trail.
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Corkscrew Peak ahead on the left/center.
Corkscrew Peak ahead on the left/center.
Big open wash for a while.
Big open wash for a while.
A minor drainage on the left.
A minor drainage on the left.
View back.
View back.
I followed a minor canyon/drainage.
I followed a minor canyon/drainage.
Looking down into the canyon from the exit of the canyon as I start up a minor ridge. Easy to follow trail from here on.
Looking down into the canyon from the exit of the canyon as I start up a minor ridge. Easy to follow trail from here on.
Continuing up toward Corkscrew Peak.
Continuing up toward Corkscrew Peak.
View back. You can see the wash I came in on, and the minor canyon/drainage I just left to gain this minor ridge.
View back. You can see the wash I came in on, and the minor canyon/drainage I just left to gain this minor ridge.
Corkscrew Peak ahead. Quite a good trail now.
Corkscrew Peak ahead. Quite a good trail now.
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View back along the ridgeline. I came from the open desert in the center of this photo.
View back along the ridgeline. I came from the open desert in the center of this photo.
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The trail ascends to the cliff band protecting Corkscrew Peak's summit.
The trail ascends to the cliff band protecting Corkscrew Peak's summit.
View back into Death Valley.
View back into Death Valley.
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Above the cliff band.
Above the cliff band.
Cool arch ahead a bit before the summit.
Cool arch ahead a bit before the summit.
Couldn't help myself.
Couldn't help myself.
Final bit to the top.
Final bit to the top.
Looking back as I near Corkscrew Peak.
Looking back as I near Corkscrew Peak.
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Almost to the Corkscrew Peak summit looking west-ish.
Almost to the Corkscrew Peak summit looking west-ish.
Corkscrew Peak summit looking south-ish.
Corkscrew Peak summit looking south-ish.
Corkscrew Peak summit looking north-ish.
Corkscrew Peak summit looking north-ish.
Me!
Me!

Hire me or show me some love!

Hire/refer me as a web developer or send me a few bucks if you find my site useful. I’m not sponsored, so all fees are out-of-pocket and my time preparing trip reports is unpaid. I really appreciate it!