Hike Mount Manchester Dead Mountains Wilderness Area, CA

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Mount Manchester is the high point of the Dead Mountains, a small wilderness area in California. This peak has never really appealed to me before because of its excessively long, flat approach from any direction, but with a few hours to kill and a bunch of podcasts to catch up on, I decided this would make for a nice desert stroll.

I parked at the wilderness boundary just off CA-95 and headed pretty much directly east. Mount Manchester never really felt like it ever got any closer. For the most part the desert was flat and void of cacti, but there were a few minor arroyos along the way that I needed to dip in and out of. I decided to ascend the peak via its westernmost ridge. I wanted to get to higher ground as quickly as possible, even if that meant slightly more tedious terrain. A big wash met me at the base of the ridge, and after some quick navigating I found myself finally ascending. Class 2 led along the ridgeline with some minor ups and downs, and I made it to the summit of Mount Manchester.

After all the slogging to get out here, I decided I couldn't just return without at least getting the second-highest peak in the range, Peak 3569. Located just south, I knew it would be an easy add-on and make the day feel more complete. A short section of steep Class 2 brought me down from Mount Manchester, and then an animal trail continued along the ridge, avoiding an unnecessary bump along the way. The final slope to the summit was tame in terms of its ruggedness, though steep. I backtracked a bit and descended what appeared to be the most rational ridgeline. Barely even Class 2, I found this to be the right choice and I was soon down to the desert below. I took a series of washes before I realized I'd end up too far west if I didn't exit the drainage complex, so I set a landmark on the horizon and just jogged through the desert until I met back up with my earlier approach route.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)

Peaks on hike

Elevation

Prominence

Mount Manchester

3600 ft

1287 rise

Peak 3569

3569 ft

354 rise

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Entering the Dead Mountains Wilderness.

Mount Manchester left of center, Peak 3569 right of center. A long desert slog ahead.

Crossing one of many little arroyos.

Finally at the base of Mount Manchester's western ridge. I dropped into this wash and navigated to the ridge seen center.

Class 2.

View back. My car is miles away somewhere over there.

Class 2 along the ridge, some minor ups and downs.

View back down at my progress.

Mount Manchester ahead.

Mount Manchester.

View back.

Final push to the summit.

Mount Manchester, view toward Spirit Mountain and Lake Mojave.

View toward Peak 3569.

Steep Class 2 down from Mount Manchester.

View back toward Manchester.

Animal trail leads around an unnecessary hump.

Peak 3569 ahead.

View back toward Mount Manchester.

Peak 3569 summit, view back the way I came.

Peak 3569 summit, view south.

I backtracked a bit and descended this nice-looking ridgeline.

Almost back down to the desert below.

View back up toward Peak 3569 (right).

I followed washes for a while.

Within washes before heading northwest back to my ascend route through the desert. A long slog back to my car.

View back toward Mount Manchester and Peak 3569.

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!