Pinto Peak and Towne Benchmark in Death Valley National Park, CA

Hike Pinto Peak and Towne Benchmark Death Valley National Park, CA

Class 2 14.9 miles 6100 gain 6-8 hrs Out + Back Mar 19, 2021
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

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Towne Benchmark and Pinto Peak are two high-prominence mountains on either side of Towne Pass. There's a large dirt pull-off where parking is fine. I started with Pinto Peak, heading east through the open desert toward a small drainage that carved through some odd-looking rocks. Rather than head into the drainage, I kept to its left, following a social trail up the Class 2 loose slope. Above this the ridgeline continued southeast as it ascended on pleasant terrain for a while. A steeper section of steep Class 2 scree/talus led toward the top of a slope to a ridge. The crest of this ridge is craggy, so I kept just below it on a bench-like feature until I could more easily continue along the grassy ridgeline. The final mile or so to the summit was easy walking on very mellow, sweeping slopes. There is one dip along the way that loses about 200 vertical that needed to be regained on the way back.

Back at Towne Pass, I started up toward Towne Benchmark to the west. Reaching the ridgeline required ascending a Class 2 slope. I don't know if there's any one "best" way up since the black volcanic boulders seem to be strewn across the entire slope. Once on the ridgeline, I stayed near the rim where finally the hike got more interesting, nice views into the eroded southern face of Towne Benchmark. A social trail led along the rim, the occasional easy Class 2 breaking up the otherwise mellow terrain. I headed up to Peak 6620 and then down its opposite side. This peak is more of an inconveneince than a true peak, since I needed to reascend on my way back. The social trail sort of disappeared for a while until the last half mile up to Towne Benchmark, where the ridgeline became more steep, but still nothing to complain about. Along the way up, keep a lookout for the remains of a plane crask on the southwest slope of the peak. The summit views were nice.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
Pinto Peak
7508 ft
2188 rise
2
Peak 6620
6620 ft
180 rise
3
Towne Benchmark
7287 ft
2327 rise

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Pinto Peak from Towne Pass. I headed left of center in this photo toward the drainage that's difficult to see in this photo.
Pinto Peak from Towne Pass. I headed left of center in this photo toward the drainage that's difficult to see in this photo.
The drainage that carved through weird-looking rock. I ascended on the left.
The drainage that carved through weird-looking rock. I ascended on the left.
View back toward Towne Pass, my car teeny on the left. Towne Benchmark is up on the right.
View back toward Towne Pass, my car teeny on the left. Towne Benchmark is up on the right.
Class 2 to gain the ascent slope.
Class 2 to gain the ascent slope.
Ascent slope for Pinto Peak.
Ascent slope for Pinto Peak.
View back toward Towne Benchmark.
View back toward Towne Benchmark.
Continuing up the slope.
Continuing up the slope.
Looking back again, the High Sierra visible back left.
Looking back again, the High Sierra visible back left.
Class 2 steep section.
Class 2 steep section.
View from the top of the steeper section toward Towne Pass.
View from the top of the steeper section toward Towne Pass.
Toward the top of the steep Class 2, I avoided the ridge crest and stayed on the more mellow bench-like slope until I found a straightforward route on the left to regain the ridge.
Toward the top of the steep Class 2, I avoided the ridge crest and stayed on the more mellow bench-like slope until I found a straightforward route on the left to regain the ridge.
Back on the ridge, headed southeast.
Back on the ridge, headed southeast.
Pinto Peak becomes visible on the left. Telescope Peak also visible top right.
Pinto Peak becomes visible on the left. Telescope Peak also visible top right.
Making progress along the long, sweeping ridge.
Making progress along the long, sweeping ridge.
View back. It's not particularly exciting, but the vastness of Death Valley's peaks is always worthwhile.
View back. It's not particularly exciting, but the vastness of Death Valley's peaks is always worthwhile.
Approaching the final uphill to Pinto Peak.
Approaching the final uphill to Pinto Peak.
View back from just below Pinto Peak's summit.
View back from just below Pinto Peak's summit.
Pinto Peak, view toward Telescope Peak.
Pinto Peak, view toward Telescope Peak.
On my way back down from Pinto Peak, view toward Towne Benchmark, my next objective.
On my way back down from Pinto Peak, view toward Towne Benchmark, my next objective.
Back at Towne Pass, view toward the Class 2 slope I ascended.
Back at Towne Pass, view toward the Class 2 slope I ascended.
Along the Class 2 slope, view back toward Towne Pass and Pinto Peak.
Along the Class 2 slope, view back toward Towne Pass and Pinto Peak.
Class 2 - the black boulders were often hidden by grasses, so there's more than it seems based on this photo.
Class 2 - the black boulders were often hidden by grasses, so there's more than it seems based on this photo.
View toward Tucki Mountain as I ascend.
View toward Tucki Mountain as I ascend.
Approaching the ridge, Towne Benchmark becoming visible ahead.
Approaching the ridge, Towne Benchmark becoming visible ahead.
Finally! More interesting views. I continued along a social trail along the rim.
Finally! More interesting views. I continued along a social trail along the rim.
View back along the rim, Towne Pass on the left.
View back along the rim, Towne Pass on the left.
Continuing to Towne Benchmark, some occasional Class 2, like what's seen here.
Continuing to Towne Benchmark, some occasional Class 2, like what's seen here.
View back toward Pinto Peak.
View back toward Pinto Peak.
Towne Benchmark ahead.
Towne Benchmark ahead.
Close-up of Peak 6620, center. It's really just a hump you have to go up and over on both the ascent and descent.
Close-up of Peak 6620, center. It's really just a hump you have to go up and over on both the ascent and descent.
View back again.
View back again.
Wide shot looking back, Pinto Peak top left, Telescope Peak top center.
Wide shot looking back, Pinto Peak top left, Telescope Peak top center.
Peak 6620, view toward Towne Benchmark.
Peak 6620, view toward Towne Benchmark.
Easy slope up to Towne Benchmark.
Easy slope up to Towne Benchmark.
View back, Peak 6620 far left, Pinto Peak center, Telescope Peak top right.
View back, Peak 6620 far left, Pinto Peak center, Telescope Peak top right.
Social trail to the summit of Towne Benchmark.
Social trail to the summit of Towne Benchmark.
Towne Benchmark, view west.
Towne Benchmark, view west.
Towne Benchmark, view southeast.
Towne Benchmark, view southeast.
Towne Benchmark, view toward Panamint Butte and the High Sierra in the distance.
Towne Benchmark, view toward Panamint Butte and the High Sierra in the distance.

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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!