Mazourka Peak

Overview

Mazourka Peak is a simple rounded mountain on the northwestern side of the Inyo Mountains overlooking Owens Valley about half way between Independence and Big Pine. You can drive all the way to the top or you can make a short walk up hike out of it from Badger Flat which is more fun.
Rivaling Glacier Point in Yosemite or Dantes View in Death Valley the view west is probably one of the most spectacular drive ups you can get anywhere in California. The High Sierra stretches for 100 miles from Owens Lake to the Glass Mountains. White Mountain Peak hulks to the north.
It's a good place to relax and take in the awesomeness.
Ponder the "timeless" forces at play.

Getting There

From the south end of Independence (Hwy 395) go east on Mazourka Canyon Road. This road should be passable to vehicles with 2 wheel drive high clearance all the way to the peak, road washouts not withstanding. The road is paved part way then becomes graded dirt as it crosses Owens Valley and curves northeast into Mazourka Canyon arriving at Badger Flat (8,700') at 18 miles from 395. Once the road reaches Badger Flat there are some offshoot roads. The main road goes east across the open field about 1/2 mile then north (left) 1 mile. There it goes left again to a fork at 1/4 mile, stay to the right. There the road switchbacks about a mile to the peak with radio facilities. Or you can simply hike northwest a little over a mile over easy terrain to the peak from Badger Flat to "earn" the view.

Red Tape

This is Inyo National Forest and no permits are required.
The Mazourka Canyon road is well graded and usually good to go by mid to late spring. For current road conditions contact the Eastern Sierra Interagency Center in Lone Pine at 760-876-6222.

Camping

There are no established campsites in the area but Badger Flat would be a suitable place to set up camp, get up early and catch the alpenglow at dawn on the Sierra. There are also plenty of pullouts along the Mazourka Canyon Road from the east side of Owens Valley and on up.

Images

View Mazourka Peak Image Gallery - 18 Images