| Death Valley, California |
 Trail Name:Golden Canyon Summary: |
| Trail Description |
| The trail heads in an easterly direction, climbing gently through the colorful canyon, past interesting, water-carved rock formations. If this barren, yet spectacular, landscape seems familiar, it may be because parts of Star Wars was filmed here. The main canyon trail leads, after 1 mile, to views of the rock pinnacle known as Manly Beacon and the cliffs of the Red Cathedral.
Here you can continue on the main trail for another 0.25 mile – turn right when you reach the old Golden Canyon car park to get to the base of the Red Cathedral (yes, a road used to run through the canyon, before a flood washed it away in 1976). An alternative trail to the right leads for another 1.75 miles along the base of Manly Beacon, over undulating badlands and through colorful rock formations, to the car park at Zabriskie Point. From here, there is a great view over the Death Valley badlands. The trail is unmaintained and sometimes hard to follow. It is steep in places, climbing another 570 ft / 175 m, and strenuous in the heat. Other trails in Death Valley National Park include: * Mosaic Canyon. Just west of Stovepipe Wells, a dirt road off the 190 leads for 3 miles to the trailhead. This 4-mile, out and back trail climbs gently through a narrow canyon with beautifully patterned, polished walls. * Wildrose Peak. Trail starts at the Charcoal Kilns, 7 miles east of Wildrose campground. It can be accessed via the 178 (unsuitable for long vehicles) or off the 190, 8 miles west of Stovepipe Wells. The 8-mile return climb to the 9,064 ft rounded summit offers great views east over the valley to the Funeral Mountains. * Telescope Peak. Trail starts at Mahogany Flat campground, 2 miles further on from Charcoal Kilns along a rough dirt road. This all-day, 14-mile round-trip climbs 2,916 ft/889 m to the highest point in Death Valley. As you would expect, the views from the 11,049 ft summit are fabulous. NOTE: be sure to check trail conditions in winter, as ice axe and crampons may be needed. |
| FACT FILE |
| Location: Death Valley National Park is a wilderness area of more than 3 million acres within the Mojave Desert of eastern California. It is around 150 miles from Las Vegas and 300 miles from Los Angeles. Entrance fee charged.
Directions: The Park can be accessed from the west via US 395, from Nevada via US 95, and from the south via I-15. Furnace Creek visitor center lies along Route 190 in the center of the Park. Trailhead: The parking area is 3 miles south of the visitor center along route 178. Length: 2.5 miles / 4.0 km Trail Type: Out and back Elevation Change: 300 ft / 91 m Duration: 1.5 hours Trail Condition: Main canyon trail is clearly defined. Features: Water-carved rock, colorful cliffs. Climate: Extremely hot in summer – daytime highs of 110 F and more are common May into October. Warm and dry in winter. Accommodation: Within the National Park – lodging at Stovepipe Wells, Furnace Creek and Panamint Springs (reservations advised, essential in winter); nine campgrounds, three open year-round, mainly available on first-come, first-served basis. Outside the Park – the nearest motels are in Beatty, Nevada, 40 miles from Furnace Creek. Trail Notes: This is desert country – take plenty of water. Trail maps available at visitor center. |
Popularity: 6% [?]
