Panamint Range

The Panamint Range is a mountain chain in eastern California that forms the western boundary of Death Valley. Its highest point is Telescope Peak at 11,043 feet (3,368 meters), which towers over the valley floor.

The range draws hikers and backpackers for alpine trails, steep ridgelines and high desert scenery. Elevation gain from Death Valley to the crest is among the largest in the contiguous United States, producing strong ecological and visual contrasts over short distances.

Historically the range saw 19th-century mining activity and prospecting, leaving behind ghost-town remains and mining roads in some canyons. Those features, together with natural scenery, shaped later park management and recreational use.

Geographically the Panamint Range lies in eastern California within Inyo County, largely inside Death Valley National Park, west of the salt flats and basins of the central Death Valley area.

• Prominent relief: The range forms the western escarpment of Death Valley and rises to Telescope Peak at 11,043 feet (3,368 meters), creating dramatic vertical relief above the valley floor.
• Protected area: Much of the Panamint Range falls within Death Valley National Park and offers backcountry hiking, alpine vistas and access to historic mining sites.

What to See #

• Telescope Peak: At 11,043 feet (3,368 meters), it is the highest summit of the range and a common hiking objective offering panoramic views over Death Valley and surrounding desert.