Con Benchmark – Death Valley National Park
Trek to a small mountaintop with a US Coast & Geodetic Survey triangulation station marker and great views of Owl Lake, Death Valley, and nearby canyons.
| Total Distance: 12.5 miles out & back | Elevation Gain: 3,104ft. (-70ft. to 2,642ft.) |
| Difficulty: Extremely Strenuous | 10+ Mile Difficulty: Very Strenuous |
| View Rating: 4.0 out of 5.0 stars | Author’s Rating: 3.0 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 |
| Trailhead Amenities: None | Crowd Factor: Solitude |
| Trailhead Access: 1.4 | |
Uses:     | Trail Surface:     |
Features:      | Hazards:        |
Mile-by-Mile: Con Benchmark
0.0 Unmarked trailhead on the Harry Wade Road (43ft.). Follow the trail guide for Contact Canyon up to the Mouth of Contact Canyon. (35.881601°, -116.628582°)
4.4 Mouth of Contact Canyon (1150ft.). Turn left (south) to take a steep side canyon upward . (35.834924°, -116.665548°)
4.8 Canyon split (1245ft.). Turn left to ascend up the steep canyon. Once at the ridgeline (be sure to look back at the view!), drop south into the wash on the other side. (35.831149°, -116.665261°)
5.5 Wash (2,253ft.). Continue straight across and carefully walk south to ascend the hill on the other side. Walk south and slightly west down into washes and back up again until you can walk up the main ridgeline. Once on the ridgeline, turn left (south) along the ridgeline south and just slightly east, heading for the benchmark. Stay close (but not too close!) to the top of the cliffs to the northeast. (35.823159°, -116.667978°)
6.25 Con Benchmark (2,606ft.). Enjoy views in many directions of Granite Canyon, Through Canyon, Owl Lake, the Confidence Hills, the Black Mountains, and the southern part of Death Valley. (35.815521°, -116.664360°)
History & More
Geological survey benchmarks are survey markers that have been surveyed as accurately as possible, given technology at the time that they were set in place. They are helpful to current surveyors in ensuring the accuracy of current geographic data. Death Valley National Park alone contains hundreds of benchmarks.
Download Route Map
Driving Directions
The unmarked beginning of the route is 2.0 miles south of the northern end of the Harry Wade Road. If coming from the south, the “trailhead” is 17.2 miles beyond the Owl Hole Spring Road.
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.)