Hard, 9.24 out and back
2,621 ft elevation gain
Hiked 3/21/24
Rising over 5,000 ft above the valley floor, the trail along Dante’s Ridge offers endless breathtaking views of Death Valley. The trail begins at Dante’s view and continues alongside Badwater Basin from above, with many ups and downs along the way. Full sun exposure so be prepared and hike early.
A male and female Common side-blotched lizard seen in the middle of reproducing. The female is giving me the ‘skink eye.’
The steep ascent along the ridge leading to one of the upper areas of the hike. Scattered sagebrush may be seen dotting the tan landscape.
The disappearing Lake Manly may be seen down in the valley floor from this overlook, returning to a salt flat. On the other side of Death Valley a ridge runs across, with a layer of snow on the upper reaches.