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Death Valley National Park

Updated July 2026

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Follow Dante’s Ridge 9 miles across the widest panorama in Death Valley, walking the spine of the Black Mountains 5,000 feet above Badwater Basin with views stretching to the Sierra Nevada. Almost nobody else attempts this point-to-point hike, stick to cooler months.

Distance: 9 mi
Difficulty: Moderate
Total Climbing: 2100 ft
Time: 4–5 hrs

Who It's For Moderate hikers, 9 miles, 1,400 ft gain from 5,475 ft. Ridge walk, unmarked sections need navigation skills.

Biggest Risk Unmarked route requires navigation. Significant wind exposure on ridge. Do not hike summer.

When to Go October through May. Summer temperatures extreme even at elevation.

Video

Hike Mount Perry via Dante's Ridge (Death Valley NP)

Trailhead

Hike Mount Perry Location — Dante’s View is about 30 minutes from Furnace Creek, the central location in Death Valley National Park where you’ll find lodging and the Visitor Center.

To get to the start of hike, drive to Dante’s View, which is an incredible viewpoint on its own.

Use this trailhead address: Dante’s View, Death Valley National Park, Dantes View Rd, California 92328

Gear

Hike Mount Perry Talus — There’s a short section of scree to hike over, but other than that, is just a walk on a rocky track. I find trail runners work great here.

This is a rugged and fairly remote hike. Don’t expect to see others and prepare for the conditions, which are often windy and exposed.

Even though it’s cooler at this altitude than lower in Badwater Basin, it can still get extremely hot here. In the winter it can be freezing but don’t expect snow. In the summer, temperatures can be deadly. Checking the weather and conditions before you do this hike is critical.
Bring at least 3L of water when it’s warm out.
The trail is rocky and overall in good condition. Trail runners are a good choice for footwear.
There is intermittent cellular service along the route but nothing dependable. If you have a satellite messenger, I’d bring it.

Tip

See all the gear I use on hikes like this on my gear page.

Maps

Hike Mount Perry Trail — Although there are no official trail signs, the path is often easy to spot in front of you in the rocky and barren terrain.

Elevation Profile

Hike Mount Perry Elevation — This is the ONE WAY profile to Mount Perry. You have a long and easy downhill, and then a steep climb past the false summits to the actual summit of Mount Perry. On the way back, you do this in reverse, so save energy for the climb.

3D Map

Hike Mount Perry 3d — The trail follows Dante’s Ridge along the spine of the Black Mountains, 5000 feet above Badwater Basin.

Directions

Mount Perry Hike Directions 3 — You’ll be up above Badwater Basin, below to your left.

Info

Badwater Basin is the lowest point in North America at -282 feet. During the last Ice Age there was a massive lake there called Lake Manly. The water dried up about 10,000 years ago but occasionally heavy rains will create mini-lakes in the basin.