Contact Canyon – Death Valley National Park
The most scenic of the five officially-named canyons in the northeastern section of the Owlshead Mountains with rock formations along the wide wash. Contact Canyon is the middle of the five, with Owlshead Canyon to the north and Granite Canyon to the south.
| Total Distance: 15.0 miles out & back | Elevation Gain: 2,638ft. (-71ft. to 2,284ft.) |
| Difficulty: Extremely Strenuous | 10+ Mile Difficulty: Very Strenuous |
| View Rating: 4.0 out of 5.0 stars | Author’s Rating: 4.0 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: Contact Canyon
0.0 Unmarked trailhead on the Harry Wade Road (38ft.). Head south and slightly west (you can generally follow washes) to cross over the Amargosa River (usually dry) and toward the Confidence Hills. From here, head generally west and a little south to access a large wash that enters the Confidence Hills. (35.881601°, -116.628582°)
1.5 Mouth of Contact Wash in the Confidence Hills (130ft.). Walk up the wide canyon; a wash exits on the right (north) about mile 1.8 and another wash exits to the north at the far side of the Confidence Hills about mile 2.0. Continue westward up the wash. The wash stays wide and bushy. (35.865404°, -116.641894°)
4.4 Mouth of Contact Canyon (1150ft.). Continue west up the wash as the walls narrow a bit. Rock formations on the walls of the canyon make for interesting views. Keep your eyes open for rocks filled with caves and possibly small arches. (35.834924°, -116.665548°)
6.0 Canyon split (1,684ft.). The right canyon does offer more exploration opportunities; however, for now veer left to access the more scenic option. The canyon walls close in on the wash in colorful walls and rocks, including red, white, black, and maroon. (35.819927°, -116.685512°)
6.5 4-Way Junction (1,843ft.). The canyon splits four ways (described by some hikers at the “4-Way Junction”). The main canyon ends in a sketchy dryfall, so it’s easiest to explore this area and then turn around. If you want to continue up, turn left (south/southeast) to find a way to scramble up and then drop back into the main channel. The channel requires minor scrambling up to a second sketchy dryfall. (35.814164°, -116.690504°)
6.8 Second Dryfall (2,034ft.). Backtrack downcanyon to a place where you can safely climb up the south wall (approx. 35.811014, -116.689546) and follow a side-wash back down to a side canyon. The workaround may be sketchy, so use care, especially when descending (don’t go down something that you’re not sure if you can climb back up). (35.810918°, -116.690195°)
7.0 Side Canyon (2,198ft.). Turn right (west) to return to the main wash. (35.809224°, -116.691641°)
7.1 Main Canyon (2,182ft.). The canyon above the workaround becomes more volcanic and is definitely scenic. (35.809561°, -116.692266°)
7.5 Canyon Split (2,284ft.). Both canyons run into dryfalls fairly quickly. You can try bypassing either one to reach upper parts of the canyon; it seems that some hikers continue right up the western wash and – with some creative scrambling – make it down to Owl Lake. (35.804932°, -116.694811°)
History & More
Contact Canyon is often presented as the prettiest of the named canyons in the Owlshead Mountains. It is sandwiched between Owlshead Canyon (to the north) and Granite Canyon (to the south).
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 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.)