Thimble Peak in Death Valley National Park, CA

Hike Thimble Peak Death Valley National Park, CA

Class 2 3.3 miles 1800 gain 1-2 hr Out + Back Jan 10, 2021
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

Thimble Peak GPX Track

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Thimble Peak is easily seen when driving through Death Valley National Park, but relatively few get to its summit. For one, it requires driving the long and NPS-advertised "4WD" road (honestly probably passenger cars could make it, going slow at one or two short sections), and it's not an official trail by any means. However, being a one-way road, I can't say I'd recommend going for it without a proper vehicle. The route to the summit is well-defined, and boasts likely one of the best Death Valley views I've seen to date.

Starting from Red Pass, I headed south along a trail that brought me to just below the summit of Thimble's Shadow. Being so close, I left the trail to see the true summit, and was awarded with nice views toward Corkscrew Peak and Titanothere Peak. I then got back to the trail and dropped a few hundred feet to the saddle with Thimble Peak. I'd have to regain this on the way back, of course. The trail continued without issue until the last few hundred feet to the summit, where it became slightly more difficult to follow. There is a single Class 2+ move without any exposure, but otherwise it's a nice Class 1/2 limestone scramble on loose rock to the summit.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
Thimble's Shadow
6140 ft
360 rise
2
Thimble Peak
6381 ft
1061 rise

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View toward Red Pass (you can see my car left of center).
View toward Red Pass (you can see my car left of center).
Trail leading up to Thimble's Shadow.
Trail leading up to Thimble's Shadow.
Thimble's Shadow ahead.
Thimble's Shadow ahead.
View back along the trail.
View back along the trail.
Thimble Peak on the right.
Thimble Peak on the right.
Another shot back toward Red Pass.
Another shot back toward Red Pass.
Thimble's Shadow on the left.
Thimble's Shadow on the left.
Thimble's Shadow summit, view toward Titanothere Peak (left of center) and Corkscrew Peak (right).
Thimble's Shadow summit, view toward Titanothere Peak (left of center) and Corkscrew Peak (right).
Thimble Peak ahead.
Thimble Peak ahead.
Close-up of Thimble Peak as I drop down along the trail from Thimble's Shadow.
Close-up of Thimble Peak as I drop down along the trail from Thimble's Shadow.
The trail heads around the cliffs on easy terrain.
The trail heads around the cliffs on easy terrain.
Looking back toward Thimble's Shadow (right).
Looking back toward Thimble's Shadow (right).
Class 2, with a Class 2+ move.
Class 2, with a Class 2+ move.
Looking back toward the Class 2 stuff.
Looking back toward the Class 2 stuff.
Mount Palmer (center) and Grapevine Peak (just right of it) to the north.
Mount Palmer (center) and Grapevine Peak (just right of it) to the north.
Thimble Peak summit, view into Death Valley. Corkscrew Peak visible far left.
Thimble Peak summit, view into Death Valley. Corkscrew Peak visible far left.
Close-up toward Corkscrew Peak.
Close-up toward Corkscrew Peak.

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!