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Death Valley National Park > The South > Dante's Peak
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Dante's Peak is a high summit near the edge of the Black Mountains, which form the eastern border of this part of Death Valley, and gives the best overall views of southern half of the Park - the peak ranks alongside
Glacier Point
in Yosemite Valley and Moro Rock in
Sequoia National Park as the best easily-accessible, high elevation viewpoints in California.
The Road: It is reached by a short (13 mile) spur road that runs south from CA 190, just inside the eastern park boundary - the route climbs quite sharply, from 540 m to 1670 m at the summit. On the way, the road passes a sprawling mining complex, which seems rather out of place amongst the surrounding unspoilt scenery. There is a parking area for large vehicles a mile or so before the end, as the last section is extremely steep and winding.
Views: The viewpoint is quite close to
Badwater; this is a horizontal distance of about two miles away, but over one vertical mile (5,700 feet) below. The summer temperature at Dante's Peak is often in the 90s; it is amazing to think that the parched land far beneath will be at least 20°F hotter. From the summit, one can see north and south along many miles of salt flats and sand dunes, and also west across the valley to several lifeless mountain ranges, which fade into the distance due to the ever-present heat haze. The highest summit usually visible is Telescope Peak, at 11,049 feet, part of the Panamint range, although 14,495 foot Mount Whitney can be glimpsed on clear days, when it is therefore possible to see the highest and lowest points in the contiguous US from one place.
Rocks: The rocks around the overlook are twisted, eroded and very colorful - many shades of purple/red/black, the result of past igneous activity, and provide quite a contrast with the vast flat expanses of salt and sand in the valley beneath. Short paths lead to alternative viewpoints; to the south there are other, higher mountains with ominous-sounding names such as Coffin Peak and Funeral Peak.
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