Mount Perry Trail

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There is no shade or water on the trail so bring plenty of your own. This is an amazing and fun run, but all the ups and downs along the ridge add up to 2,700 feet of elevation change—so don't underestimate it. Remember that on your return you'll have to climb back up and over Dante's View Peak—so save some energy and water for that. This trail can be done year-round, weather and road conditions permitting. In the winter, it can be bitterly cold along the ridge (it's all over 5,000 feet) and in summer, while it will be cooler than on the valley floor, it can still be hot enough to pose a risk.

An obvious use trail has been established from the Dante's View parking area to the summit of Dante's View Peak, 0.5 mile north along the crest of the ridge. A use trail also goes south along the ridge from the parking area. These two short trails provide visitors with different views than they can get from the observation platform at the parking area. Don't get these short trails confused with the longer trail to Mount Perry.

The use trail to Mount Perry starts at the end of the Dante's View Trail, crosses over the summit of Dante's View Peak (Point 5704), descends to a low point on the ridge, then climbs to Perry's summit. The term "use trail" does not do justice to the quality of this trail. It is well-graded, with a clearly defined prism that is obvious and mostly easy to follow. At the halfway point, just past the saddle north of Point 5235, the trail becomes a little vague as it crosses a boulder field; several cairns mark the way here. The last 0.7 miles or so to the summit are also rocky and intermittent but just following the now narrow and straight ridge will take you to the top.

Right from the start, the views of the Panamint Range, Telescope Peak, and Badwater Basin to the west and of Pyramid Peak to the north are huge and amazing. As you close on Mount Perry, you'll start to get views of the old mining town of Ryan in the Green Water Valley below you. From the summit, you'll add a view north up the valley. Don't feel obligated to go all the way to Mount Perry for these views; they're yours all along the trail.