Crystal Hills High Point – Death Valley National Park
Scramble to the highest point in the colorful Crystal Hills. Be careful not to trespass onto military-owned land, as the markings for the property boundaries can be vague.
| Total Distance: 9.8 miles out & back | Elevation Gain: 1,682ft. (2,492ft. to 3,310ft.) |
| Difficulty: Strenuous | 0-5 Mile Difficulty: Very Strenuous |
| View Rating: 4.0 out of 5.0 stars | Author’s Rating: 4.0 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. Do not trespass into the military reservation. |
| Water Availability: None | Overnight Options: Dispersed camping permitted |
| Trailhead Amenities: None | Crowd Factor: Solitude |
| Trailhead Access: 2.0 4×4 appreciated, though high clearance may be ok in dry weather | |
Uses:     | Trail Surface:     |
Features:    | Hazards:         |
Mile-by-Mile: Crystal Hills High Point
0.0 Beginning of old road where the Owl Hole Spring Road turns sharply north (3,310ft.). This old road is 1) marked as closed, and 2) at the point in the Owl Hole Spring Road where the road takes a sharp turn to the north. Follow the route to the Epsom Salt Works. (35.690860°, -116.907586°)
3.3 Leave road (2,493ft.). Just about the place of the old Epsom Salt Workings, turn left, off the road, to walk west up a wash.(35.723206°, -116.936367°)
3.6 Wash Split (2,552ft.). Take the south (left) fork. The wash travels southwest/south. (35.723835°, -116.939543°)
3.8 Wash enters from right (2,609ft.). Turn right, out of the main wash, to walk west up the large side-wash. It will turn southwest and then split into multiple washes all heading up into the hill. Take one of the routes to scramble up to the top of the ridgeline to the south. (35.721728°, -116.942334°)
4.3 Ridgeline (2,888ft.). Turn right (west) to follow the ridgeline as it winds around and then north toward the high point of the Crystal Hills. (approx. 35.717508°, -116.948712°)
4.9 Crystal Hills High Point (3,310ft.). Enjoy the views, especially over military land and to the Owlshead Mountains to the east. (35.722589°, -116.955179°)
History & More
Use care to not accidentally walk onto military land – the Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake (yes, the famous China Lake testing area). The military allows visitors access to this part of Death Valley National Park, but things could get sticky if too many people trespass onto land outside the park boundary.
Note that the boundary of the military area is not very clearly marked in many places – likely because so few people make it out here. You’re responsible for staying on public land.
The Crystal Hills were named for the abundance of crystallized minerals in the area. Epsomite, alum, and salt deposits that make the hills sparkle.
Download Route Map
Driving Directions
The route begins along the Owl Hole Spring Road, 2.4 miles from the end of the road, and 16.2 miles west of the Randsburg Road Junction.
It is extremely dangerous to enter a mine due to unstable shafts, gasses, and more. Do not enter mines, even if they are apparently open!
Walking on, climbing, entering, ascending, descending, or traversing any mine, structure, feature, or ruin is prohibited.
Toxic chemicals or ore may be present around mine sites. Enter at your own risk.
Possessing, destroying, injuring, defacing, removing, digging, or disturbing any mine, structure, feature, or ruin is also prohibited.
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.)