Bagger Peak in Death Valley, First R Ascent?

Bagger Peak in Death Valley

I've seen this striking peak from Rte 190 to Death Valley, for many years. To my fortune, the peak was entered in Peakbagger in a manner that made it unattractive for list-tickers. From the usgs contours, it has an elevation of at least 5240'; from multi-band gps satellite and altimeter readings, the elevation is at 5267-5277'. The conservative prominence is 760', the optimistic is more like 807-817'. The peak has a significant false summit and notch before the S face, which are not apparent on the usgs map. The strict south face route has 1 or 2 class 4 moves; by the north, it is just nasty class 2 with sharp talus.

I camped in the shade by the east side of Hole-in-the-Wall ridge at about 4PM, and drove out next morn to the old quarry. The road to the camp is mild HC, road from there to quarry is mild 4x4. It was a cold and windy day (gusts over 30 mph), perfect for a 6:05AM start by waning gibbous moonlight.

The PB entry (by Richard Carey) is "Peak 4650 California." I chose the name mainly to honor Richard's site "Peakbagging.com" which existed before Peakbagger.com.

UPDATE: Mike Reynolds (I think he is the superintendent of DVNP and an avid peakbagger) recently reported (on peakbagger) that he climbed this peak in 2017. I'm not sure what to make of this, since he gave no trip report, and there are five peaks in Death Valley with approximately this elevation.

Pics by Harlan W S
March 30, 2021

My track on USGS topo.	Zoom out for context	As one travels WNW on rte 190, Bagger first comes into view a bit past Pyramid.
Then another mile W, and there is this view north from rte 190. I started at the quarry, went up the ridge as indicated, then cut NW to the peak.	day before, approaching Hole-in-Wall, a narrow pass through a 300'-high rock band	My camp in shade (about 4PM)
Folks camped right in the pass.	Next morn. Telescope Peak at L, ~SW, gibbous moon still pretty high in sky	West end of Pyramid Peak to SE.
about 3500', first sight of peak over tan ridge to N		axial section of gastropod
The sharper peaks are composed of a very abrasive dark dolostone. There is a notch before main summit, not apparent here.	The way I chose up the S face had a few class 4 moves, at least for a short guy.	I left a register. No cairn or survey station on top, no sign of visitation. I saw two cairns 1000' lower, but they may mark an old boundary.
View south from summit.	view ~SW, Telescope in back. Wind has kicked up dust.	View directly S below summit
I'm 66, Give me a break. I lost 17 lbs (from 142 to 125) 2.5 months back, from covid-19.	I haven't done Yoga in 8 years. The strong wind gusts knocked me over every time I tried a scale.	View to mundane N Peak. This one can be reached by nasty class 2 with many sharp rocks.
View to W, with Furnace Cr. at R, and dust	View ~WNW	View SW
another view of cliffs on S side.	Now I'm on N Peak, view back to class 2 nasty talus on N side of peak	I headed down the E side of N peak, gingerly picking way with most solid rock.
These peaks are ~6000', on east side of Funeral Mts.	I avoid "obvious" descent	Heading for canyon
The canyon had no bad dryfalls. My planned route was over cliffs at L. No thanks.
Almost in the main wash, view W back UP at peak	Nice peaklet on west side of Pyramid Massif	View back N to Schwab
Back to quarry.	Jeep sweet Jeep.