Tungsten Peak

Hiking Tungsten Peak is a short but steep endeavor. From the summit you’ll have fantastic views of the looming Eastern Sierra Nevada Mountains, and down to Bishop and the desert floor below.

The Tungsten Hills are named for the tungsten that was mined here until the late 1940s. Today it is a popular recreation area on BLM land. The low elevation hills make this a year round playground.

To access the trailhead you’ll need to navigate your way amongst numerous dirt roads, a task that can be somewhat tricky. Don’t rely on Google Maps to choose the best route.

After finding the trailhead, begin hiking and head steeply uphill on the trail. While there is a trail all the way to the summit, it can occasionally be faint in areas. Be sure to take your time to look ahead and see where the trail goes next.

The trail flattens out for a brief moment after the initial climb, then resumes its uphill trajectory. You’ll finally reach the summit after climbing over 1,000’ in a mile.

At the top you’ll find a trail register and USGS benchmark. The views of the Sierra Nevada Peaks, including prominent 13,599’ Mount Tom, are incredible.

Enjoy the views then return the way you came back to the trailhead. Use caution on the descent not to slip on the loose gravel during steep sections.