Talc Canyon – Death Valley National Park
An off-trail route to a desert canyon with dryfalls and rock formations. Talc Canyon is the northernmost of the officially named canyons on the east side of the Owlshead Mountains.
| Total Distance: 12.0 miles out & back | Elevation Gain: 2,578ft. (-101ft. to 2,321ft.) |
| Difficulty: Very Strenuous | 10+ Mile Difficulty: Strenuous |
| 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: No | Horses: Yes |
| Best Seasons: November-April | Special Permits: None |
| Water Availability: No potable or reliable water | Overnight Options: Dispersed camping permitted after you’re at least 1 mile from the Badwater Road |
| Trailhead Amenities: None | Crowd Factor: Solitude |
| Trailhead Access: 1.3 | |
Uses:     | Trail Surface:      |
Features:   | Hazards:       |
Mile-by-Mile: Talc Canyon
0.0 Unmarked beginning of an old mining road on the Harry Wade Road (46ft.). Follow the Old Mining Road North of Talc Canyon Route to the place where the road enters the mountains. (35.8967850°, -116.6521988°)
3.7 Road meets the Owlshead Mountains (751ft.). The old road rises into the mountains; instead of following it (which would take you up to an old prospect), turn left into Talc Canyon. The canyon is wide at first; stay in the main canyon since most of the side canyons end quickly at dryfalls. (35.867714°, -116.701883°)
5.4 Canyon begins to narrow (1,674ft.). As the canyon narrows, keep your eyes open for unique rock formations and the canyon’s namesake talc cliffs. (35.846944°, -116.712720°)
5.7 Canyon junction (1,902ft.). Take the left fork toward a low point in the headwall. The closer the canyon gets to the headwall at the end, the narrower the canyon becomes, and the more small dryfalls must be climbed. (35.844226°, -116.714992°)
6.0 Close to the headwall of Talc Canyon (2,321ft.). It may be possible to go further; don’t go beyond your limits. (35.839625°, -116.716805°)
History & More
The hike to Talc Canyon is unique in the Owlshead Mountain canyons because you can follow an old mining road for most of the distance to the canyon mouth.
Talc Canyon is the northernmost named canyon on the east face of the Owlshead Mountains. It received its name from the talc-like cliffs within the canyon.
Talc is carcinogenic, so try not to breathe any talc dust that you might kick up while hiking.
The Amargosa River is 185 miles long, flowing from the Amargosa Valley to Death Valley, where it vanishes into an underground aquifer. It rarely flows above ground in this section except after rain or snowmelt – when it can turn into a dangerous waterway. Chances are you’ll only see water from December-April, though it can flow at any time of year. The word “Amargosa” comes from a Spanish word meaning “bitter.”
The canyons of the Owlshead Mountains are dry, extremely remote, and unmarked. Be prepared for self-rescue and to explore rather than follow a defined route.
Download Route Map
Driving Directions
The unmarked, unofficial beginning of the route is 0.3 miles south of the northern end of the Harry Wade Road. From the south, the “trailhead” is 18.9 miles north of the Owl Hole Spring Road.
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.)