4×4 Road: Redlands Canyon Road – Death Valley National Park
High clearance-required 4×4 road down to old mine sites, a cabin, and canyon narrows.
| Total Distance: 3.7 miles point to point (dead end) | Elevation Gain: 498ft. up, 489ft. down (4,218ft. to 4626ft.) |
| Road Difficulty: 2.3 | Bicycle Difficulty: More Difficult |
| View Rating: 3.0 out of 5.0 stars | Author’s Rating: 2.0 out of 5.0 stars |
| Visitor Rating: (Click to rate) [Total: 0 Average: 0] | Visitor Difficulty Rating: (Click to rate) [Total: 0 Average: 0] |
| Pets: Leashed (on the road) | Horses: Yes |
| Best Seasons: October-May | Special Permits: None |
| Water Availability: No potable water | Overnight Options: Dispersed camping permitted; no camping within 100ft. of the spring |
| Amenities: None | Crowd Factor: Solitude |
Uses:         | Road surface:    |
Features:       | Hazards:       |
Mile-by-Mile: Redlands Canyon Road
0.0 4-way Road Junction on the Warm Springs Canyon Road (4.158ft.). Turn north onto Redlands Canyon Road. (35.920898, -117.084017)
0.2 Geologists Cabin Road Junction (4,222ft.). Turning left would take you to the Geologists Cabin and Anvil Spring. Turning right would take you back out to the Warm Spring Canyon Road. For more adventures, continue straight (north). (35.923514, -117.084369)
0.4 Big Blue 1 & Anvil Spring Claim Road Junction on left (west) (4,246ft.). The sidespur would take you to various old mining claims and small springs. Continue straight (north). (35.926561, -117.084800)
0.7 Quail Spring Road Junction on left (west) (4,290ft.). The road leads to Quail Spring, Hatchet Spring, and the Big Blue 1 & Anvil Spring Claim Road. Continue straight (north), passing by a short spur on the left (west) 0.1 miles later. (35.930105, -117.086563)
1.2 Spur road on left (west) (4,262ft.). Continue straight (north). The road begins swinging west toward Redlands Canyon. (35.936719, -117.089095)
1.4 Redlands Canyon Road Connector on right (east) (4,257ft.). This road will take you past Striped Butte and out to the Warm Spring Canyon Road. Continue straight as the road turns westward left and into Redlands Canyon. (35.939504, -117.091384)
1.7 Spur road on left (south) (4,345ft.). I’ve heard that this road leads to the remains of an aerial tramway. Continue straight (west) on the main road as it enters Redlands Canyon. The road is rough going, so take it slow. (35.941312, -117.095878)
3.0 Spur road on left (south) (4,548ft.). The spur leads (from what I hear) to an old stone structure of unknown age. Continue straight (west) on the main road. (35.942723, -117.117642)
3.7 Spur road on left (south) to Emmett’s Cabin (4,246ft.). The spur leads to a not-so-old miner’s cabin and related junk, including an old school bus. This road also marks the boundary of Death Valley National Park. The continuation of the road is in Manley Peak Wilderness. As with most wilderness areas, vehicles are not allowed beyond this point. That said, there’s nothing to stop you from continuing down the road in a vehicle, and you probably wouldn’t even know that you’ve left the park. Still, due to the rough character of the road and its wilderness status, I’ll continue the journey via an on-foot trail report for the lower part of Redlands Canyon. (35.940608, -117.129858)
History & More
Redlands Canyon was part of the escape route used by the 49ers who became trapped in Death Valley, and who gave the valley its name. It’s from near the head of the canyon that the woman turned around and shouted, “Goodbye, Death Valley!” The valley has retained the name ever since.
The Geologist’s Cabin was built either in the 1880s or else in the 1930s (more likely) by two college professors – one an assistant professor at Occidental College and the other a Harvard professor with a side job with the United States Geological Survey. I haven’t read exactly why they built the cabin near Anvil Spring, but I’d guess it was for geological interests, since both lectured extensively on geology and mineralogy. It’s also possible that the cabin was built by Asa Russell, for whom Russell Cabin is also named.
The Geologist’s Cabin was wired for electricity. However, no lines run anywhere near the cabin, and no remains of a generator have been found.
Wild burros frequent Anvil Spring.
The Geologist’s Cabin is maintained by volunteers. Off-roaders sometimes stop for a day or two, though rodents make it an unappealing place to spend the night.
Emmett C. Harder was/is a writer, lecturer, historian, and researcher at California State University in San Bernardino. He paid the fees required and staked out the nearby Lone Tree Mill Site in 1991. However, to my knowledge, he hasn’t worked the site in a good number of years. It’s reported that he staked out another claim in 2018 and, as of 2022, was still alive and active at nearly 90 years old. Emmett died in the fall of 2024 and was mourned by many who enjoyed his stories and his legacy.
Beyond the cabin, the road – such as it is – is mostly softball-size rocks. I’ve heard that it can take a jeep an hour to go only 2 miles.
Download Road Map
Driving Directions
In Butte Valley, 22.2 from the West Side Road via the Warm Springs Canyon Road and 2.0 miles north/east of Mengel Pass.
It is extremely dangerous to enter a mine due to unstable shafts, gasses, and more. Do not enter mines, even if they are apparently open!
Walking on, climbing, entering, ascending, descending, or traversing any mine, structure, feature, or ruin is prohibited.
Toxic chemicals or ore may be present around mine sites. Enter at your own risk.
Possessing, destroying, injuring, defacing, removing, digging, or disturbing any mine, structure, feature, or ruin is also prohibited.
Always be wary of flash floods in a canyon.
Camping in a canyon is discouraged due to the danger of flash floods.
Remember, it may be easier to climb up dryfalls than down them (or vice versa). Be sure you can climb in the other direction before climbing up or down a dryfall.
Camping is not allowed within one mile of a paved road, developed area, or dirt road that is closed to camping.
Camping is not permitted within 100 feet of a flowing stream, spring, or other natural body of open water.
No camping is permitted on the floor of Death Valley, within one mile of Darwin Falls and Greenwater Canyon, on the active/shifting sand dunes, and certain other canyons and backcountry areas.
Camping is also prohibited within one mile of the Ubehebe Lead Mine, Leadfield Mines, Keane Wonder Mill, and Skidoo Mill.
Camping is limited to 30 days per calendar year within the park.
Fires are permitted in NPS-provided fire grates or grills ONLY.
Leave No Trace Principles are enforced
Drones and model aircrafts are prohibited
Camping is permitted only in designated sites or in areas open to dispersed backcountry camping
All park rules and regulations
12 Month Pass: $55/Death Valley Annual Pass (valid at Death Valley National Park). $80/America the Beautiful Annual Pass (valid at all national park and federal fee areas). $20/Annual Senior Pass (62 years or older US citizens; valid at all national park and federal fee areas). Free/4th Grade Pass (Valid Sept. 1-August 31 of the child’s 4th Grade school year). Free/Military Pass (valid for all active military personel and their dependents with a CAC Card or DD Form 1173).
Lifetime Pass: $80/Lifetime Senior Pass (62 years or older US citizens; valid at all national park and federal fee areas). Free/Access Pass (available to all US citizens with perminent disabilities). Free/Access for Veterans and Gold Star Families Pass (valid for all military and veterans with a CAC card, Veteran HJealth Identification Card, Veteran ID Card, or veteran’s designation on state-issued drivers license or identification card.)