Hike Epaulet Peak and Calico Peak Death Valley National Park, CA

Mar 30, 2020 — Epaulet Peak looked really pretty from Salsberry Peak a few days ago, so I planned to get back as soon as I could. This route gets up to Epaulet Peak from the south, traverses over to Calico Peaks, and follows the desert back to make a loop. I generally used Adam Walker's route, and I think it's likely the best way to explore this interesting and colorful area.

Starting from an old mining cabin at the end of a decent dirt road (good quality, but maybe low clearance might have some difficulties), I followed a wash to the right of the Epaulet Peak foothills, heading north into a significant drainage coming down from the summit. This drainage was very colorful, and at times the route was difficult to follow because of the many side drainages. I recommend just constantly looking at a map to ensure you're in the largest drainage of them before going too far up the incorrect one. Eventually I made it to a small saddle, and then the route became a bit more clear. I continued up a steep, bright yellow slope, passing over a small Class 2 rocky outcropping, and then side-hilled to the south ridge of Epaulet Peak. Some Class 2 boulder-hopping and then a wide, grassy, beautiful slope led to the summit. The views into Death Valley were pretty incredible, and the colorful southern hills of Epaulet Peak stood out in the afternoon light.

On a map, it's hard to tell quite how expansive the northeast slope of Epaulet Peak is, but I was looking forward to the sweeping views and mellow descent on alternating grassy and volcanic rock as I headed toward Calico Peak. There were a few small bumps along the ridge, and then a steep slope led up to Peak 4150. This minor sub-peak actually seemed like the easiest way over to Calico Peak, which was a short jaunt to the north from there. From Calico Peak, I dropped down into a drainage separating Peak 4150 and Calico Peak and followed it south. An easily avoidable dryfall blocked direct acess through this drainage, but once past the dryfall, I was able to jog through flat and pleasant desert washes as the sun set and it was pretty fantastic. It was a little hard to tell where my car was since the desert expanse was so overwhelming, so I generally kept to the foothills of Epaulet Peak, crossing over a couple of ditches to make my way back.