South Quartz Canyon – Death Valley National Park
An unofficially-named canyon in the Owlshead Mountains south of Quartz Canyon.
| Total Distance: 13.6 miles out & back | Elevation Gain: 2,404ft. (1,49ft. to 2,491ft.) |
| Difficulty: Exremely Strenuous | 10+ Mile Difficulty: Very Strenuous |
| View Rating: 3.0 out of 5.0 stars | Author’s Rating: 2.0 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: 1.5 (4×4 required when road is flooded or sandy – 2.0 to 2.3) | |
Uses:     | Trail Surface:      |
Features:   | Hazards:      |
Mile-by-Mile: South Quartz Canyon
0.0 West side of the Harry Wade Road (149ft.). Head west and a bit south toward the mouth of South Quartz Canyon, just south of Quartz Canyon. (35.713560°, -116.529273°)
3.8 Mouth of South Quartz Canyon (1,219ft.). Continue up the canyon. The wash winds into the Owlshead Mountains with occasional boulders or possibly small dryfalls below steep walls. (35.705957°, -116.594506°)
4.8 Canyon Split (1,576ft.). Stay left; going right is an optional crossover to Quartz Canyon. The hills are lower in this section. (35.710460°, -116.605142°)
4.9 Dryfall (1,642ft.). Scramble up around the dryfall, which is about 12ft. tall. (If it’s impossible to bypass the dryfall, go back down to the canyon split, turn up the side canyon, then scramble over the hills and back down into South Quartz Canyon above the dryfall.) The canyon continues to be rocky. (35.711053°, -116.606888°)
5.9 Dryfall (2,115ft.). Scramble up or around this long dryfall (it may prove impassable; don’t do something dangerous). (35.712720°, -116.618524°)
6.0 Wash split (2,168ft.). This guide turns right. It’s also possible to walk left (south) for about 0.4 miles to a 25ft. dryfall. Whether or not this dryfall can be climbed is up to the hiker’s discovery. Continuing up the main wash, it more or less dissolves into a gully after about 0.6 miles. Scramble up the gully to the high point on the ridgeline. (35.71235027, -116.6201547)
6.8 Ridgeline (2,491ft.). Enjoy the view to the mountains on the west side of the Owlshead Mountains. Technically, you could continue down the gully/canyon on the other side of the ridgeline and west down to Owl Lake. (35.721230°, -116.627075°)
History & More
While you’re exploring the canyon, look for quartz in the rocks.
There are at least four large dryfalls in South Quartz Canyon. The first is 12ft. tall, the second is 25ft. tall, and I have not been able to accurately measure the third and fourth dryfalls.
South Quartz Canyon is very rocky. Be ready to both scramble and enjoy some very interesting formations in the canyon.
If you’re traveling to the trailhead while the Amargosa River is flowing, your best bet is to come in via the Saratoga Spring Road. While the Harry Wade Road still might be flooded, at least you won’t have to cross the river’s main channel.
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 16.5 miles south of the northern end of the Harry Wade Road. If coming from the south, the “trailhead” is 9.2 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.)