Trails and so much more
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 […]
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 […]
Follow a vague old road to a prospect in the Owlshead Mountains. Total Distance: 8.6 miles out & back Elevation Gain: 1,398ft. (-101ft. to 1,140ft.) Difficulty: Strenuous 5-10 Mile Difficulty: Strenuous View Rating: Author’s Rating: Visitor Rating: Visitor Difficulty Rating: Pets: No Horses: Yes Best Seasons: November-April Special Permits: None Water Availability: No potable or […]
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 […]
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: […]
High clearance-required 4×4 road up past old talc mines and Warm Spring to the scenic Butte Valley. Beyond the valley, the road crosses Mengel Pass and continues – albeit much rougher – down into Panamint Valley. Total Distance: 33.2 miles point to point Elevation Gain: 5,428ft. up, 4,080ft. down (-218ft. to 4304ft.) (E-W) Road Difficulty: […]
High clearance required 4×4 road up an alluvial fan to an old lead mine. Total Distance: 3.8 miles point to point (dead end) Elevation Gain: 1,191ft. up, 2ft. down (-243ft. to 946ft.) Road Difficulty: 2.0 Bicycle Difficulty: More Difficult View Rating: Author’s Rating: Visitor Rating: Visitor Difficulty Rating: Pets: Leashed (on road) Horses: Yes Best […]
High clearance required 4×4 road up an alluvial fan to several old mining districts. Total Distance: 5.4 miles point to point (dead end) Elevation Gain: 2,202ft. up, 2ft. down (-246ft. to 1,954ft.) Road Difficulty: 2.3 Bicycle Difficulty: More Difficult View Rating: Author’s Rating: Visitor Rating: Visitor Difficulty Rating: Pets: Leashed (on the road) Horses: Yes […]
Read a plaque at the gravesite of James W. Dayton and Frank “Shorty” Harris. Total Distance: 300ft. out & back Elevation Gain: 2ft. (-255ft. to 257ft.) Difficulty: Easy 0-5 Mile Difficulty: Easy View Rating: Author’s Rating: Visitor Rating: Visitor Difficulty Rating: Pets: No Horses: Yes (do not take horses out onto the salt flat) Best […]
Hike up an old route to an 8,000ft. pass and then down to a historic ghost town. Note that the route is not maintained and may be difficult to travel or be invisible. Total Distance: 13.2 miles out & back Elevation Gain: 6,596ft. (3,837ft. to 8,076ft.) Difficulty: Very Extremely Strenuous 10+ Mile Difficulty: Very Extremely […]
