Walking Wild & Free

Smith Mountain 1

Smith Mountain

Smith Mountain 1

Smith Mountain

Scramble up an unassuming but very pretty peak to fantastic views of the surrounding area.

Total Distance: 5.6 miles out & back	Elevation Gain: 2,314ft. (3,806ft. to 5,923ft.)
Difficulty: Strenuous	5-10 Mile Difficulty: Strenuous
View Rating: 4.0 out of 5.0 stars4.0	Author’s Rating: 3.0 out of 5.0 stars3.0
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: None	Overnight Options: Yes
Trailhead Amenities: None	Crowd Factor: Solitude
Trailhead Access: 2.0 (4×4 required)
Uses:	Trail Surface:
Features:	Hazards:

Mile-by-Mile: Smith Mountain

-1.9 Road Junction on left (west) on the Gold Valley Road (4,259ft.). This junction is 8 miles from the Greenwater Valley Road. Turn left onto the sideroad for 1.0 miles to a road junction. (36.021510°, -116.622747°)

-0.9 Road Junction (4,185ft.). Turning left would take you to some old prospects. You want to turn right for 0.9 miles – or thereabouts; it doesn’t matter exactly where you park as long as you’re in the right general area. (36.015804°, -116.635627°)

0.0 Approximate Smith Mountain Trailhead (3,808ft.). Walk pretty much due west toward an obvious major canyon. (Note: Smith Mountain is currently out of sight behind a false summit.) Drainages along the way make the seemingly flat terrain a bit more of a challenge than might be expected. Thankfully for easier walking, the terrain isn’t too brushy. Drop into the canyon’s wash about mile 0.8 and turn left (west) to continue to the canyon mouth. (36.026476°, -116.644756°)

1.25 Canyon Mouth (4,199ft.). This is approximate; the mouth is probably slightly downstream from here. Continue up the canyon, being careful to stay in the main drainage as it works its way upward. (If you’re not sure at the final fork, stay left to ascend toward the ridgeline.) About halfway up the canyon, you’ll come to a steeper, more difficult section – it still should be only Class 3. Another steep, possibly Class 3 obstacle is in the last 100 feet or so before you reach the flatter desert above the canyon – a steep scree slope. (36.025824°, -116.665999°)

2.3 Ridgeline (5,590ft.). From here, you can turn left (east) to ascend East Smith Mountain. But to climb Smith Mountain, turn right (west) to drop into a saddle and then ascend the peak. (36.018873°, -116.680524°)

2.8 Smith Mountain (5,923ft.). Enjoy spectacular views across the Black Mountains to Funeral Peak, across Death Valley to Telescope Peak and the Panamint Range, Badwater Flats, and so much more. (36.018587°, -116.687044°)

History & More

Smith Mountain is named after Francis Marion Smith, otherwise known as “The Borax King” or “Borax Smith,” founder of the Pacific Coast Borax Company. The company became famous for 20 Mule Team Borax.

Views are better from the peak in the morning when views down on Death Valley (to the west) are lit rather than backlit by the sun.

Smith Mountain is the second-most-prominent peak in the Black Mountains (the most prominent is Funeral Peak).

The map of the route is approximate – please use common sense and don’t follow the map or directions at the expense of your safety!

Download Route Map

Driving Directions

From the Greenwater Valley Road, take the Gold Valley Road 8 miles. This is where the narrative begins; to get to the trailhead, turn left on the sideroad for 0.9 miles, then right on another dirt road for 0.9 miles the approximate area of the trailhead.