Zabriskie Point and Red Cathedral in Death Valley National Park, CA

Hike Zabriskie Point and Red Cathedral Death Valley National Park, CA

Class 1 2.5 miles 600 gain 1-2 hr Out + Back Dec 18, 2020
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

Zabriskie Point and Red Cathedral GPX Track

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Red Cathedral is one of the most unique desert lookout spots I've experienced. Between Manly Beacon's impressive eroded cliffs, the badlands surrounding Zabriskie Point, the overlook into Death Valley, and the taller peaks within the Funeral Mountains (Pyramid Peak), I had more to look at than my senses could comprehend. Plus, I went at sunset so the lighting was on-point. Unfortunately it's also a fairly popular hike and starts at the zoo of a trailhead used for Zabriskie Point.

The Red Cathedral Trail is marked at the trailhead, continuing away from the paved Zabriskie Point "trail". Just before the trail descends into the badlands, a pretty obvious social trail leads northwest along the Red Cathedral ridge. It's a little steep at first, but then mellows and and undulates along the ridgeline. While it is certainly a trail, you still need to be careful – the drop on the left is extreme and getting too close to the eroded cliff could prove fatal. There was one eroded section along the trail toward the summit, but otherwise it's a very straightforward hike.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
Red Cathedral
958 ft
318 rise

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From the Zabriskie Point Trailhead, head along the trail (right). Left on the pavement leads to Zabriskie Point. You can see the Red Cathedral ridge on the right.
From the Zabriskie Point Trailhead, head along the trail (right). Left on the pavement leads to Zabriskie Point. You can see the Red Cathedral ridge on the right.
The trail leading up to Red Cathedral starts on the right.
The trail leading up to Red Cathedral starts on the right.
Looking back toward the trailhead as I start up the ridge.
Looking back toward the trailhead as I start up the ridge.
Red cathedral right of center, Manly Beacon left of center.
Red cathedral right of center, Manly Beacon left of center.
Close-up toward Manly Beacon and Red Cathedral.
Close-up toward Manly Beacon and Red Cathedral.
View back at my progress.
View back at my progress.
Continuing along the ridge.
Continuing along the ridge.
Image 7 from gallery
Image 8 from gallery
View back.
View back.
The trail wraps around the right side of the crest toward the end. Pictured here is a slightly eroded sectionof the trail.
The trail wraps around the right side of the crest toward the end. Pictured here is a slightly eroded sectionof the trail.
Looking back at the cliff along the trail.
Looking back at the cliff along the trail.
Red Cathedral summit ahead, some crows waiting for me up top.
Red Cathedral summit ahead, some crows waiting for me up top.
Red Cathedral summit, view into Death Valley.
Red Cathedral summit, view into Death Valley.
Red Cathedral summit, view toward Golden Canyon. Excuse my hand blocking the sun ;)
Red Cathedral summit, view toward Golden Canyon. Excuse my hand blocking the sun ;)
Close-up toward Manly Beacon.
Close-up toward Manly Beacon.
Close-up into Golden Canyon.
Close-up into Golden Canyon.

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!