Quail Benchmark – Death Valley National Park
Wash-and-scramble hike to the highest peak in the Quail Mountains.
| Total Distance: 11.8 miles out & back | Elevation Gain: 2,484ft. (2,768ft. to 5,105ft.) |
| Difficulty: Easy | 5-10 Mile Difficulty: Easy |
| View Rating: 5.0 out of 5.0 stars | Author’s Rating: 3.0 out of 5.0 stars |
| Visitor Rating: (Click to rate) [Total: 0 Average: 0] | Visitor Difficulty Rating: (Click to rate) [Total: 0 Average: 0] |
| Pets: No | Horses: Yes |
| Best Seasons: November-April | Special Permits: None (do not go south into the Fort Irwin Military Reservation) |
| Water Availability: None | Overnight Options: Dispersed camping permitted |
| Trailhead Amenities: None | Crowd Factor: Solitude |
| Trailhead Access: 2.0 4×4 appreciated, though high clearance may be ok in dry weather | |
Uses:     | Trail Surface:      |
Features:    | Hazards:        |
Mile-by-Mile: Quail Benchmark
0.0 Wash crosses the Owl Hole Spring Road (2,768ft.). Take the wash on the south side of the road as it travels southwest in a large curve to eventually enter the mountains by going southeast. (35.682518°, -116.862393°)
1.5 Enter Quail Mountains (3,116ft.). Continue south up the wash further into the mountains. (35.667183°, -116.867194°)
2.9 Wash transitions to canyon (3,595ft.). Continue upstream through the narrowing canyon. Keep your eyes open for the remains of old mines and seeps on the canyon walls. (35.651375°, -116.878151°)
3.5 Wash split (3,865ft.). Stay left to continue southward. It may be easier to follow the burro trails along the wash (there are many), but be sure to stay in the main wash. The wash goes around two oxbows; count two side-washes on the left after the second oxbow. (35.647700°, -116.885884°)
4.5 Leave the wash (4,425ft.). Take the second wash from above left (south) through the mountains and down into another wash. (35.639194°, -116.890992°)
4.8 Second wash (4,513ft.). Turn right (west) up the wash. When you see a burro trail on the left heading up to the ridgeline, take it up to the ridge. If no burro trails are obvious fairly soon, take one of the side-washes up toward the ridgeline. (35.636518°, -116.889899°)
5.0 Ridgeline (approximate) (4,727ft.). Turn right along the ridgeline heading for the tallest point. Along the way, enjoy the Joshua trees and surrounding views. (35.634347°, -116.892530°)
5.9 Quail Benchmark (5,105ft.). Enjoy views to the military reservation, Lost Lake, Owl Lake, and tons of mountains: On a clear day, you can see Telescope Peak, Mt. Whitney and the Sierras, and Mt. Charleston in Nevada. (35.628282°, -116.903514°)
History & More
At 5,106.8ft. above sea level, Quail Benchmark is the highest peak in the Quail Mountains.
There is no trail up Quail Benchmark – you’re on your own for this one! Be sure to stay safe as you try to follow my somewhat vague directions.
Geological survey benchmarks are survey markers that have been surveyed as accurately as possible, given technology at the time that they were set in place. They are helpful to current surveyors in ensuring the accuracy of current geographic data. Death Valley National Park alone contains hundreds of benchmarks.
Download Route Map
Driving Directions
The road begins along the Owl Hole Spring Road, 24.7 miles from its beginning at the junction with the Harry Wade Road. It is located 13.5 miles west of the Randsburg Road Junction.
It is extremely dangerous to enter a mine due to unstable shafts, gasses, and more. Do not enter mines, even if they are apparently open!
Walking on, climbing, entering, ascending, descending, or traversing any mine, structure, feature, or ruin is prohibited.
Toxic chemicals or ore may be present around mine sites. Enter at your own risk.
Possessing, destroying, injuring, defacing, removing, digging, or disturbing any mine, structure, feature, or ruin is also prohibited.
Camping is not allowed within one mile of a paved road, developed area, or dirt road that is closed to camping.
Camping is not permitted within 100 feet of a flowing stream, spring, or other natural body of open water.
No camping is permitted on the floor of Death Valley, within one mile of Darwin Falls and Greenwater Canyon, on the active/shifting sand dunes, and certain other canyons and backcountry areas.
Camping is also prohibited within one mile of the Ubehebe Lead Mine, Leadfield Mines, Keane Wonder Mill, and Skidoo Mill.
Camping is limited to 30 days per calendar year within the park.
Fires are permitted in NPS-provided fire grates or grills ONLY.
Leave No Trace Principles are enforced
Drones and model aircrafts are prohibited
Camping is permitted only in designated sites or in areas open to dispersed backcountry camping
All park rules and regulations
12 Month Pass: $55/Death Valley Annual Pass (valid at Death Valley National Park). $80/America the Beautiful Annual Pass (valid at all national park and federal fee areas). $20/Annual Senior Pass (62 years or older US citizens; valid at all national park and federal fee areas). Free/4th Grade Pass (Valid Sept. 1-August 31 of the child’s 4th Grade school year). Free/Military Pass (valid for all active military personel and their dependents with a CAC Card or DD Form 1173).
Lifetime Pass: $80/Lifetime Senior Pass (62 years or older US citizens; valid at all national park and federal fee areas). Free/Access Pass (available to all US citizens with perminent disabilities). Free/Access for Veterans and Gold Star Families Pass (valid for all military and veterans with a CAC card, Veteran HJealth Identification Card, Veteran ID Card, or veteran’s designation on state-issued drivers license or identification card.)