Epaulet Peak and Calico Peak in Death Valley National Park, CA

Hike Epaulet Peak and Calico Peak Death Valley National Park, CA

Class 2 12.1 miles 3800 gain 4-6 hrs Loop Mar 30, 2020
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

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Epaulet Peak looked really pretty from Salsberry Peak a few days ago, so I planned to get back as soon as I could. This route gets up to Epaulet Peak from the south, traverses over to Calico Peaks, and follows the desert back to make a loop. I generally used Adam Walker's route, and I think it's likely the best way to explore this interesting and colorful area.

Starting from an old mining cabin at the end of a decent dirt road (good quality, but maybe low clearance might have some difficulties), I followed a wash to the right of the Epaulet Peak foothills, heading north into a significant drainage coming down from the summit. This drainage was very colorful, and at times the route was difficult to follow because of the many side drainages. I recommend just constantly looking at a map to ensure you're in the largest drainage of them before going too far up the incorrect one. Eventually I made it to a small saddle, and then the route became a bit more clear. I continued up a steep, bright yellow slope, passing over a small Class 2 rocky outcropping, and then side-hilled to the south ridge of Epaulet Peak. Some Class 2 boulder-hopping and then a wide, grassy, beautiful slope led to the summit. The views into Death Valley were pretty incredible, and the colorful southern hills of Epaulet Peak stood out in the afternoon light.

On a map, it's hard to tell quite how expansive the northeast slope of Epaulet Peak is, but I was looking forward to the sweeping views and mellow descent on alternating grassy and volcanic rock as I headed toward Calico Peak. There were a few small bumps along the ridge, and then a steep slope led up to Peak 4150. This minor sub-peak actually seemed like the easiest way over to Calico Peak, which was a short jaunt to the north from there. From Calico Peak, I dropped down into a drainage separating Peak 4150 and Calico Peak and followed it south. An easily avoidable dryfall blocked direct acess through this drainage, but once past the dryfall, I was able to jog through flat and pleasant desert washes as the sun set and it was pretty fantastic. It was a little hard to tell where my car was since the desert expanse was so overwhelming, so I generally kept to the foothills of Epaulet Peak, crossing over a couple of ditches to make my way back.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
Epaulet Peak
4764 ft
964 rise
2
Peak 4150
4150 ft
213 rise
3
Calico Peak
4173 ft
515 rise

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Mining cabin at the trailhead.
Mining cabin at the trailhead.
Following the wash to the right of the Epaulet foothills.
Following the wash to the right of the Epaulet foothills.
Significant drainage coming down from the summit. I headed in. Epaulet Peak visible above.
Significant drainage coming down from the summit. I headed in. Epaulet Peak visible above.
The drainage gets a little difficult to follow, requiring you to hop over a low hump to stay within the main drainage rather than one of the side-drainages.
The drainage gets a little difficult to follow, requiring you to hop over a low hump to stay within the main drainage rather than one of the side-drainages.
Image 4 from gallery
Looking back into the drainage I ascended from a saddle where the route becoems clearer.
Looking back into the drainage I ascended from a saddle where the route becoems clearer.
A false summit of Epaulet Peak visible ahead. It's fairly clear where to hike from here, the slope leading up without too many obstacles.
A false summit of Epaulet Peak visible ahead. It's fairly clear where to hike from here, the slope leading up without too many obstacles.
A small drainage coming down from the summit that I had to cross over.
A small drainage coming down from the summit that I had to cross over.
Looking back down the slope I was ascending, the drainage obstacle visible on the left.
Looking back down the slope I was ascending, the drainage obstacle visible on the left.
On the opposite side of the drainage obstacle, continuing to the ridgeline.
On the opposite side of the drainage obstacle, continuing to the ridgeline.
Some Class 2 along the ridgeline.
Some Class 2 along the ridgeline.
Epaulet Peak's false summit ahead on the right. I would avoid it by hugging the slopes on its left.
Epaulet Peak's false summit ahead on the right. I would avoid it by hugging the slopes on its left.
Looking back toward the slopes I ascended (center) as I wrap around the false summit of Epaulet Peak.
Looking back toward the slopes I ascended (center) as I wrap around the false summit of Epaulet Peak.
Epaulet Peak's eastern slopes visible ahead. The true summit isn't visible, a long sweeping slope leading up past the visible rim ahead.
Epaulet Peak's eastern slopes visible ahead. The true summit isn't visible, a long sweeping slope leading up past the visible rim ahead.
Image 14 from gallery
Class 2 tp the rim. Epaulet Peak becomes visible top left.
Class 2 tp the rim. Epaulet Peak becomes visible top left.
Looking back down, the previously avoided false summit of Epaulet Peak visible top left. You can also see Jubilee Mountain and Longridge Peak in the distance.
Looking back down, the previously avoided false summit of Epaulet Peak visible top left. You can also see Jubilee Mountain and Longridge Peak in the distance.
Epaulet Peak's long summit approach ahead.
Epaulet Peak's long summit approach ahead.
Looking back as I near the summit toward the approach I just came up.
Looking back as I near the summit toward the approach I just came up.
Epaulet Peak summit, view northeast toward Peak 4150 and Calico Peak (center).
Epaulet Peak summit, view northeast toward Peak 4150 and Calico Peak (center).
Close-up toward the route to Calico Peak.  Peak 4150 and Calico visible right of center.
Close-up toward the route to Calico Peak. Peak 4150 and Calico visible right of center.
On my way down from Epaulet Peak, view looking back the way I came. It's a long hike, but quite pretty in its wide and sweeping nature.
On my way down from Epaulet Peak, view looking back the way I came. It's a long hike, but quite pretty in its wide and sweeping nature.
Peak 4150 ahead.
Peak 4150 ahead.
On my way up Peak 4150, view back toward Epaulet Peak.
On my way up Peak 4150, view back toward Epaulet Peak.
Calico Peak ahead along the ridge.
Calico Peak ahead along the ridge.
Calico Peak, view back toward Peak 4150 (center) and Epaulet Peak (top right).
Calico Peak, view back toward Peak 4150 (center) and Epaulet Peak (top right).
I dropped down into the drainage between Peak 4150 and Calico Peak and descended.
I dropped down into the drainage between Peak 4150 and Calico Peak and descended.
Dryfalls within the drainage, easily avoided by keeping to the right and descending the slope.
Dryfalls within the drainage, easily avoided by keeping to the right and descending the slope.
Heading out through the wide open desert and back to the trailhead.
Heading out through the wide open desert and back to the trailhead.

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!