Ubehebe Peak – Death Valley National Park

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  This is a Rumored Hike. Wayfinding may be required or the route or features may not exist. Travel at your own risk and always obey signs and local regulations.
  This is not a Verified Hike and has been provided for your convenience. While the information here has been thoroughly researched, travel at your own risk and follow signs, regulations, and the trail over the information presented here.
Views from Ubehebe Peak, Death Valley National Park, California
Views from Ubehebe Peak, Death Valley National Park, California
Ubehebe Peak Trail, Death Valley National Park, California
Ubehebe Peak Trail, Death Valley National Park, California
The Grnadstand from Ubehebe Peak Trail, Death Valley National Park, California
The Grnadstand from Ubehebe Peak Trail, Death Valley National Park, California
Ubehebe Peak Trail, Death Valley National Park, California
Ubehebe Peak Trail, Death Valley National Park, California
Rock on the Ubehebe Peak Trail, Death Valley National Park, California
Rock on the Ubehebe Peak Trail, Death Valley National Park, California
Ubehebe Peak Trail, Death Valley National Park, California
Ubehebe Peak Trail, Death Valley National Park, California
Ubehebe Peak Trail, Death Valley National Park, California
Ubehebe Peak Trail, Death Valley National Park, California
Ubehebe Peak Trail, Death Valley National Park, California
Ubehebe Peak Trail, Death Valley National Park, California
Views along the Ubehebe Peak Trail, Death Valley National Park, California
Views along the Ubehebe Peak Trail, Death Valley National Park, California
Rocks along Ubehebe Peak Trail, Death Valley National Park, California
Rocks along Ubehebe Peak Trail, Death Valley National Park, California
Climbing Ubehebe Peak, Death Valley National Park, California
Climbing Ubehebe Peak, Death Valley National Park, California
Atop Ubehebe Peak, Death Valley National Park, California
Atop Ubehebe Peak, Death Valley National Park, California
Atop Ubehebe Peak, Death Valley National Park, California
Atop Ubehebe Peak, Death Valley National Park, California
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Ubehebe Peak
Location map of the Scotty's Castle Road and Bighorn Gorge, Death Valley National Park, California
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Ubehebe Peak 3
Ubehebe Peak 4
Ubehebe Peak 5
Ubehebe Peak 6
Ubehebe Peak 7
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Views from Ubehebe Peak, Death Valley National Park, California
Ubehebe Peak Trail, Death Valley National Park, California
The Grnadstand from Ubehebe Peak Trail, Death Valley National Park, California
Ubehebe Peak Trail, Death Valley National Park, California
Ubehebe Peak Trail, Death Valley National Park, California
Ubehebe Peak Trail, Death Valley National Park, California
Ubehebe Peak Trail, Death Valley National Park, California
Ubehebe Peak Trail, Death Valley National Park, California
Ubehebe Peak Trail, Death Valley National Park, California
Rocks along Ubehebe Peak Trail, Death Valley National Park, California
Ubehebe Peak Trail, Death Valley National Park, California
Ubehebe Peak Trail, Death Valley National Park, California
Ubehebe Peak Trail, Death Valley National Park, California
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Take a strenuous, Class 2 trail up to a mountain peak with views across the Racetrack.

Total Distance: 4.6 miles out & backElevation Gain: 2,617ft. (3,708ft. to 5,666ft.)
Difficulty: Strenuous0-5 Mile Difficulty: Extremely Strenuous
View Rating: 5.0 out of 5.0 starsAuthor’s Rating: 4.0 out of 5.0 stars
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Pets: NoHorses: No
Best Seasons: November-AprilSpecial Permits: None
Water Availability: NoneOvernight Options: None
Trailhead Amenities: NoneCrowd Factor: Solitude
Trailhead Access: 1.9
Uses: Day hiker icon No Horses Permitted Icon No Dogs IconTrail Surface: Dirt Trail Surface Icon Scree/Talus Trail Surface Icon Scramble Class 3 Icon
Features: Views Trail Feature Icon Historic Interest Trail Feature Icon Point of Interest Trail Feature IconHazards: Cliff Edge Hazard Icon Scramble Class 3 Icon Hot Day Icon High Clearance Required Hazard Icon No Water Icon Vague Trail Hazard Icon Falling Rocks Icon

Mile-by-Mile: Ubehebe Peak

0.0 The Grandstand Parking Area (3,707ft.). Follow the trail for Little Ubehebe Peak up to the Little Ubehebe Peak Saddle. (36.694324°, -117.571711°)

1.8 Little Ubehebe Saddle (5,399ft.). Continue to follow the trail south along the right (west) side of the ridgeline. The ridge is narrow and rough with plenty of Class 2 (and at least one Class 3) scrambles. It is sometimes difficult to follow, so if you lose your way, stay fairly close to the ridgeline on the Saline Valley (west) side of the ridge. Don’t try this on a windy day, as the exposure could be dangerous with a lot of wind. The trail descends before rising up Ubehebe Peak. (36.696231°, -117.585868°)

2.3 Ubehebe Peak (5,664ft.). Enjoy spectacular views over the Last Chance Range (in which Ubehebe Peak resides), Saline Valley and the Inyo Mountains to the west, and the Racetrack and the Cottonwood Mountains to the east. There is a benchmark on the summit. (36.690993°, -117.586048°)

History & More

The scramble from Little Ubehebe Peak to Ubehebe Peak is more difficult than the scramble up to Little Ubehebe Peak. So if you decide it’s more than you want to do, don’t feel like you’ve failed yourself somehow!

It’s hard to say exactly how Ubehebe Peak received its name. Some say that the word means “big basket” in the Paiute language, but no one is quite sure why the peak would be named after a basket.

The area was heavily prospected in the early 1900s. Be wary of possible mine shafts and drill holes and enjoy the historic junk that was left behind by the miners.

The great views are the reason most people hike Ubehebe Peak. Despite the path being mostly a social trail, it’s fairly well-trodden.

Download Trail Map

Coming Soon!

Driving Directions

Take the Racetrack Road from the Ubehebe Crater Road 25.3 miles from the crater. Turn left into the parking area for the Grandstand. The trail begins on the opposite side of the road.

Additional Warnings & RegulationsSpecial Permits & RegulationsFees
It is illegal to enter any mine, shaft, tunnel, or adit if gated or signed.
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.
Remember to take food & water!
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
7 Day Pass: $30/private vehicle. $25/motorcycle. $15/individual (bicycle or on foot).
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.)