Walking Wild & Free

Foundry Canyon 1

Foundry Canyon

Foundry Canyon 1

Foundry Canyon

Explore a narrow desert canyon in the Black Mountains with plenty of dryfalls.

Total Distance: 4.3 miles out & back	Elevation Gain: 1,307ft. (-169ft. to 991ft.)
Difficulty: Moderately Strenuous	0-5 Mile Difficulty: Very Strenuous
View Rating: 2.0 out of 5.0 stars2.0	Author’s Rating: 2.0 out of 5.0 stars2.0
Visitor Rating: (Click to rate) [Total: 0 Average: 0]	Visitor Difficulty Rating: (Click to rate) [Total: 0 Average: 0]
Pets: No	Horses: Yes (though a horse could not get up the canyon)
Best Seasons: November-April	Special Permits: None
Water Availability: None	Overnight Options: Dispersed camping permitted at least 1 mile from both the Badwater Road
Trailhead Amenities: None	Crowd Factor: Solitude
Trailhead Access: 0.6
Uses:	Trail Surface:
Features:	Hazards:

Mile-by-Mile: Foundry Canyon Route

0.0 Unmarked trailhead north of mile marker 40 (-169ft.). Head toward the mouth of Foundry Canyon, which is between some yellow hills – beyond these hills, a pointed peak rises to the left, while three (four?) smaller peaks are on the ridgeline directly behind the mouth of the canyon. The route works its way east and just slightly north up the gravelly alluvial fan, passing between low, scattered grease bushes. (35.963383°, -116.724737°)

0.8 Mouth of Foundry Canyon (146ft.). At first, the canyon is wide, but it narrows between steep walls. (35.969041°, -116.712677°)

2.0 First Obstacle (831ft.). This turns back many day hikers, but you can ascend it without technical gear if you have good shoes and a little scrambling know-how (the falls isn’t quite sheer, so you can inch your way up the slick surface). A short distance later, you’ll arrive at a pile of boulders – again, this may look impossible, but it can be ascended with some tricky climbing. Beyond the boulders, the canyon narrows again, this time with a few boulders wedged above your head. (35.977396°, -116.696523°)

2.15 25ft. Impassable Dryfall (974ft.). Without technical climbing gear, the rest of the canyon is impassible. Retrace your steps to your vehicle. (35.978370°, -116.695002°)

History & More

Most visitors are rappelling down the multiple dryfalls in the upper canyon, so chances are that you’ll have the lower part to yourself. Use caution, as cell service is very limited out here.

Most rock climbers do this as a downward journey only, enjoying 15 separate rappels up to 280ft. in height. This requires a 200ft. rope if bypassing the two longest drops, or a 300ft. rope for repelling the entire canyon. Internet wisdom suggests the longer rope, as the views while descending the long drops are excellent.

Rock climbing up this canyon also requires rappelling, anchor gear, and 70ft of webbing for sling placement. Only a small number of climbers do this each year.

To do this as a downward rappel, you’d need to drive the Gold Valley Road, turning left (south) at 36.04562022°, -116.6587890° to the Black Smith Canyons Trailhead (used to access several canyons in the Smith Mountain area). At about 36.0264883°, -116.6447614°, pull off the road. Hike south and a bit west to a small saddle at approx. 36.01279936°, -116.6483998°; again south and west to take the left fork of a wash at approx. 36.0065502°, -116.6535482°. Follow the wash, then rise out about 36.00528463°, -116.6542023°. At about 36.0031894°, -116.6563884°, you’ll come into a broad saddle that marks the top of Foundry Canyon.

Do not wander south into some of the other canyons in this area. Some are heavily protected by the NPS due to sensitive features (dinosaur fossils) in the canyons. Crossing the boundary into these canyons – whether marked or not – can result in a stiff fine since the area is under video surveillance. Rangers lead hikes into the canyons once or twice a year; these tours are highly competitive and are often sold out a year or more in advance.

Download Trail Map

Coming soon!

Driving Directions

Drive the Badwater Road 39.8 miles south of Badwater Junction (8.6 miles south of the Sidewinder Canyon Trailhead) or 5.9 miles north of where the Badwater Road turns into the Jubilee Pass Road and the Harry Wade Road connects from the south. Park 0.1 miles north of mile marker 40 along the side of the road – make sure you don’t obstruct traffic.