Wildrose Peak Trailhead — Panamint Crest Summit Access
The trailhead sits just above the Charcoal Kilns at the upper end of Wildrose Canyon Road, right around 6,800 feet. From here it’s a 4.2-mile round trip to the Wildrose Peak summit at 9,064 feet — steep but manageable on a good trail. On a clear day you’re looking at the Sierra Nevada to the west, the Panamint Valley floor more than a vertical mile below you, and Telescope Peak to the north. It’s one of those summits that makes you genuinely understand the scale of Death Valley.
No water at the trailhead. No services. The road into Wildrose Canyon is typically accessible to high-clearance 2WD but can wash out or snow over at elevation — especially October through April. Confirm conditions with the NPS visitor center in Furnace Creek before you head up. The trail itself is well-marked but the upper third is rocky and exposed. Early morning starts are smart in any season.
9,064-ft Panamint summit — Sierra to Mojave views.
Place Details
| Type | Point of Interest |
|---|---|
| Street address | California Get directions → |
| Elevation (ft) | 6800 ft |
| Nearest town | Trona, California |
| Miles from pavement | 9 mi |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 2WD |
| Access road surface | Dirt |
| Cell service | None |
| Cost (USD/night, 0 = free) | Free |
| Reservation required | No |
| Best season | May-November |
| Land manager | NPS |
| Permit required | No |
| Coordinates | Open directions |
| Find on Google | Search on Google → |
