Tungsten Peak

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Features Geological Significance · Views · Wildflowers

Tungsten Peak Trail is a steep, poorly marked, but oft-traveled route just outside of Bishop. It quickly climbs more than 1,000 feet to a panoramic summit. The view includes the White Mountains, Basin and Tom peaks in the Sierra Nevada, the Glass Mountains, the southern part of the Granite Mountains, and Casa Diablo on the Mesa.

Bring sufficient water and food. Expect lots of sun and wind. Don't drink the water even if it's filtered. It's poisoned by historic mining waste. It is not recommended to explore any of the abandoned mines that dot the Tungsten landscape.

The "parking lot" for the Tungsten Peak trailhead is an open dirt patch at the end of a spur from a service road on Bureau of Land Management land. It does not look like much; there is no trailhead sign. There are various ways to get here, each offering pros and cons. Drop a waypoint in your app and navigate to the spot if it's your first time here. If you don't like the way it takes you, maybe try a different way the next time.

Park, and once you're ready to hike, head out toward the Tungstens. You'll see two use trails come into the parking lot. Take the trail to the left that climbs almost immediately up and into a wash. The use trail will switch back and forth upward and to the right of the dry creek. Scramble through the boulder choke at the top of the creek to gain the first plateau.

To the left you might see a couple of small markers installed by the Bureau of Land Management. Find this sign and follow or not, but do climb up and to the left toward Tungsten Peak. You'll see a lot of use trails. There is indeed one trail wider and better than most. Try to stay on that one.

Eventually you'll gain another small plateau and climb above the first "false summit" to reveal another plateau and just beyond, the true summit on Tungsten Peak. There's a small ammunition canister with a trail register. But the real reward will be the views!

Continue your hike or run down into the Tungstens and toward the Buttermilks, or turn around and head back to your car the way you came.