Coffin Peak

Overview

Coffin Peak is a high, windswept summit in the Black Mountains just southeast of Dante’s View, topping out around 5,490 feet. It’s the quiet counterpart to the famous overlook next door—same epic panoramas, a fraction of the people. If you like a little off-trail adventure for outsized views, this one delivers.

What You’ll See

From the ridge and summit you get commanding 360° vistas: Badwater Basin far below, Telescope Peak towering across the valley, and the Funeral and Panamint ranges marching off in layers. On clear days, even distant Nevada summits can pop into view. It’s all big sky and bigger scale.

The Hike

Most hikers start from the Dante’s View parking area and follow the ridge toward the summit. Expect about 2.4 miles roundtrip with roughly 800+ feet of gain. The route is largely unmaintained—Class 2 in spots with loose scree—though a faint path appears near the top. The eastern ridge is the friendliest line.

Vibe and Difficulty

You’ll likely have the summit to yourself even when Dante’s View is bustling. The tradeoff: it’s exposed and can be very windy. Confident hikers with decent footing will be fine; total beginners may find the scree and lack of signage unnerving.

Wildlife

Sightings aren’t commonly reported here, likely due to the exposure and arid setting. Don’t count on much animal activity along the ridge.

Know Before You Go

This is an off-trail outing: bring navigation, sturdy footwear, and all your water. There’s no shade, no water, and no services at the summit. Windproof layers are smart year-round.

Best Time to Visit

Aim for morning or late afternoon for softer light, cooler temps, and better photography. The ridge is exposed, so avoid the heat of midday.