Class 2 6.4 miles 2700 gain 3-5 hrs Out + Back Mar 5, 2022
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

Needle Peak GPX Track

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Needle Peak is remote peak deep in Death Valley National Park, reached via an area known as Butte Valley. It's usually paired with Manly Peak due to their close proximity, a summit we did earlier in the day. I found it to be a really beautiful desert peak, not only because of its summit views, but also because of its interesting hoodoo formations around the base that were visible along the ascent.

To reach Needle Peak, some may choose to attempt the reportedly horrible drive from the west, but we decided to take the much better road coming from the east off of Badwater Road within Death Valley National Park. To get out into Butte Valley, start by heading west along the West Side Road starting here (35.93759, -116.70477), then take a left here (35.9541, -116.74655) onto Warm Springs Road. Follow this very good road until it reaches Warm Springs Camp, then keep right here (35.9692, -116.92706) and continue on the less good road as it continues west. After a while, keep left as the road turns into Butte Valley Road here (35.98548, -117.0004). The road continues to a series of historic cabins where people can stay for the night. Before reaching these cabins, head south along a good road here (35.92352, -117.08259) and follow it to its end to Willow Spring. I would have felt confident getting a vehicle with even some clearance and good tires out here, but it's long and slow and feels like it takes forever.

We started south through a short riparian section surrounding Willow Spring, wrapping around the south side of a large desert hump and ascending on a casual, sandy slope as we generally trended southeast. There is a wash that drains to the northwest from Needle Peak that we wanted to get to, but there is no straightforward route to reach this wash. The route requires a couple of light elevation gains and losses to navigate the lumpy terrain for the first mile or so of the hike, but soon we gained a low ridge/slope where Needle Peak came into view, and an animal trail led down into the aforementioned wash. This wash would take us to the base of Needle Peak, where the cool formations and colors surrounding the peak were unfortunately dulled a bit by overcast weather, which would soon turn to snow flurries.

We left the drainage and ascended a minor spur ridge to gain Needle Peak's west ridge. From here the route is mostly straightforward, cairns sometimes marking the way, but really there is a pretty well-defined social trail leading up the Class 2 terrain. The ridge becomes wider and less defined, more a slope than a ridge crest. Steep rock outcrops appear on either side, but they're easy to avoid as the route enters a wide, rocky gully nestled between the cliffs. With the exception of a short section of scree, I found the slope to be really pleasant, though steep. Toward the top of this rocky gully, a short Class 2/2+ scramble leads up a few moves of loose rock, or Class 2 within an eroded dirty chute. Past here the terrain calmed down briefly as the route traversed along the base of another rock outcrop and spit us into another wide, rocky gully a hunded feet or so below the ridge crest higher up. It may be tempting to keep to the wide and loose gully, but I recommend instead heading to the right to gain more solid footing on a minor grassy slope.

Once past this loose and steep stuff, we reached the ridgeline higher up and continued to a false summit on easy terrain. Needle Peak's true summit became visible ahead, a short walk from the false summit. The final couple hundred feet was somewhat steep, easy Class 2. Excellent views all around, and the cloudy day added a unique vibe.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
Needle Peak
5801 ft
1651 rise

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From Willow Spring, we started through a short riparian area, then wrapped around the slope visible on the left.
From Willow Spring, we started through a short riparian area, then wrapped around the slope visible on the left.
Needle Peak ahead, some lumpy terrain in our way.
Needle Peak ahead, some lumpy terrain in our way.
After traversing the lumpy terrain, we dropped down from the low, minor ridge where I took this photo into this wash which leads to the base of Needle Peak. This photo was taken on the way back after the clouds had cleared. I thought it accentuates the hoodoos on Needle Peak's west face better, hence the lighting difference.
After traversing the lumpy terrain, we dropped down from the low, minor ridge where I took this photo into this wash which leads to the base of Needle Peak. This photo was taken on the way back after the clouds had cleared. I thought it accentuates the hoodoos on Needle Peak's west face better, hence the lighting difference.
View back. We dropped off the low, minor ridge in the center of this photo.
View back. We dropped off the low, minor ridge in the center of this photo.
Nearing the base of Needle Peak.
Nearing the base of Needle Peak.
View back down the wash as we ascend a minor spur ridge to gain Needle Peak's west ridge.
View back down the wash as we ascend a minor spur ridge to gain Needle Peak's west ridge.
After ascending the spur ridge, now on Needle Peak's west ridge. In the distance (center) you can see Striped Butte.
After ascending the spur ridge, now on Needle Peak's west ridge. In the distance (center) you can see Striped Butte.
Starting up Needle Peak's west ridge.
Starting up Needle Peak's west ridge.
Class 2. A social trail helps with keeping the footing pretty easy.
Class 2. A social trail helps with keeping the footing pretty easy.
View back, Manly Peak in the distance.
View back, Manly Peak in the distance.
The west ridge begins to widen and becomes more of a slope as rock outcrops begin to poke up.
The west ridge begins to widen and becomes more of a slope as rock outcrops begin to poke up.
View back down along the west ridge.
View back down along the west ridge.
A Class 2+ move over a small cliff band.
A Class 2+ move over a small cliff band.
Ascending the rocky gully along the west ridge of Needle Peak.
Ascending the rocky gully along the west ridge of Needle Peak.
View back at our progress, just above a short section of Class 2/2+ to escape the rocky gully.
View back at our progress, just above a short section of Class 2/2+ to escape the rocky gully.
Past the rocky gully, we continued on slightly more tame terrain at the base of a rock outcrop, heading generally toward the center of this photo. Soon we'd be spit out into another rocky gully, but I recommend keeping to the right where the terrain is more solid.
Past the rocky gully, we continued on slightly more tame terrain at the base of a rock outcrop, heading generally toward the center of this photo. Soon we'd be spit out into another rocky gully, but I recommend keeping to the right where the terrain is more solid.
View back down. As you can see on the right in this photo the rocky slope/gully doesn't look all the pleasant. Just to its south (where I'm standing), a minor spur ridge leads up more pleasantly.
View back down. As you can see on the right in this photo the rocky slope/gully doesn't look all the pleasant. Just to its south (where I'm standing), a minor spur ridge leads up more pleasantly.
Past the last steep section, now on the ridgeline leading to the false summit of Needle Peak.
Past the last steep section, now on the ridgeline leading to the false summit of Needle Peak.
View back along the ridge, Manly Peak in the distance obscured by clouds.
View back along the ridge, Manly Peak in the distance obscured by clouds.
Needle Peak false summit, view toward the true summit.
Needle Peak false summit, view toward the true summit.
Needle Peak summit, view west toward the false summit. Striped Butte visible on the right (little black bump), and Manly Peak top left.
Needle Peak summit, view west toward the false summit. Striped Butte visible on the right (little black bump), and Manly Peak top left.
Needle Peak summit, view south.
Needle Peak summit, view south.
Needle Peak summit, view north.
Needle Peak summit, view north.

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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!