Bullfrog Peak is a short and easy cross-country desert peak that straddles the boundary of Death Valley National Park. It is just east of Beatty, NV and tucked in the hills behind the popular tourist destination of the ghost town of Rhyolite. The summit offers a great view of the Grapevine Mountains to the west and you’ll definitely have it to yourself, guessing from the insignificant number of entries in the summit logbook.
If you like dispersed camping there are plenty of opportunities in the area of this peak, but keep the park boundary in mind if you plan on having a campfire or doing other activities that are frowned upon by NPS but not BLM. The ‘main’ dirt roads through this area were graded and well maintained when we visited in November 2010, but the side roads (where the best dispersed camping is) were a bit overgrown and required high clearance, and maybe 4×4 depending on what one you decide to turn down. It was a cold night and without much effort we found a nice spot with a pre-existing campfire ring on BLM land.
To climb the peak, leave your vehicle at the open area (plenty of room to turn around and leave several cars) on the saddle between Bullfrog and Sawtooth (see the track below). Then simply follow the ridge to the summit. It is easy cross-country terrain and routefinding couldn’t be easier – just walk up. At the park boundary there is a fence but it is easy to hop.
The summit register had very few entries – I think I saw two other entries from 2010 and we summited in late November. Of course, during many months of the year this hike will be hot and miserable – take that into account if you decide to do this one! I imagine it would be a lovely sunset or sunrise peak during the hotter times of year.
