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 […]

Owlshead Canyon – Death Valley National Park

Explore a desert canyon with rock formations, narrows, and scalable dryfalls. Owlshead Canyon is the second-northernmost officially-named canyon on the east side of the Owlshead Mountains. Total Distance: 12.0 miles out & back Elevation Gain: 2,708ft. (-97ft. to 2,210ft.) Difficulty: Extremely Strenuous 10+ Mile Difficulty: Very Strenuous View Rating: Author’s Rating: Visitor Rating: Visitor Difficulty […]

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: Author’s Rating: Visitor […]

Anvil Spring Canyon – Death Valley National Park

Walk down a desolate and deserted desert canyon to a small spring. Total Distance: 13.8 miles out & back Elevation Gain: 1,726ft. (3,520ft. to 2,558ft.) Difficulty: Very Strenuous 5-10 Mile Difficulty: Strenuous View Rating: Author’s Rating: Visitor Rating: Visitor Difficulty Rating: Pets: No Horses: Yes Best Seasons: October-May Special Permits: None Water Availability: No potable […]

Grotto Canyon – Death Valley National Park

Explore a desert canyon with multiple dryfalls that must be scrambled to end in a rock grotto below a 40ft. dryfall. A rope may be helpful for scrambling the dryfalls, but it is not required if you’re good at bouldering. Directions for possible bypasses are included. Total Distance: 1.2-2.8 miles out & back Elevation Gain: […]

Redlands Canyon – Death Valley National Park

Hike down a very remote canyon to narrows and views over a working mine. Total Distance: 6.8 miles out & back Elevation Gain: 2,397ft. (4,245ft. to 2,096ft.) Difficulty: Strenuous 5-10 Mile Difficulty: Very Strenuous View Rating: Author’s Rating: Visitor Rating: Visitor Difficulty Rating: Pets: No Horses: Yes Best Seasons: October-May Special Permits: None Water Availability: […]