Although it might see counter-intuitive for a place like Death Valley National Park, these mountains typically are snow-capped in the winter. The highest point in the Panamint Range is Telescope Peak, at an elevation of just above 11,000′. That puts it in the alpine zone, and although moisture is usually scarce here, when it does come it can produce snow at that elevation. A cold storm had recently passed, and the snow level in the photo is lower than usual.
These are particularly rugged mountains. There is a broad gravel fan at the very bottom of the photograph draining Hanaupah Canyon, which winds around the back of the dark hill in the foreground. It is actually possible to hike to the summit of Telescope Peak, though it is a tremendously difficult route, and I’ve read more than one story of people attempting it and getting lost or giving up and coming back down.
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G Dan Mitchell is a California photographer and visual opportunist. His book, “California’s Fall Color: A Photographer’s Guide to Autumn in the Sierra” (Heyday Books) is available directly from him. Blog | Bluesky | Mastodon | Substack Notes | Flickr | Email
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