Walking Wild & Free

Military Canyon 1

Military Canyon

Military Canyon 1

Military Canyon

An unofficially-named canyon in the Owlshead Mountains south of Drone Canyon and South Drone Canyon. By following the canyon upward, you can reach Mill Benchmark with fantastic views of the surrounding area.

Total Distance: 16.2 miles out & back	Elevation Gain: 3,026ft. (149ft. to 3,125ft.)
Difficulty: Very Extremely Strenuous	10+ Mile Difficulty: Extremely Strenuous
View Rating: 5.0 out of 5.0 stars5.0	Author’s Rating: 3.0 out of 5.0 stars3.0
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: Military Canyon

0.0 West side of the Harry Wade Road (149ft.). Head southwest toward the mouth of Military Canyon, just to the south (left) of Drone Canyon. On the way, you might want to explore to find the remains of an aviation fuel tank (much cooler in real life than it sounds from the description). To get there, stay right of some maroon-ish hills near the mouth of Military Canyon but south of Drone Canyon. Approximately 3.8 miles from the Harry Wade road (approx. 35.692644°, -116.588478°), turn north around the ends of some reddish hills. Head up the wash/valley on the other side of these hills. A tenth of a mile after turning north (about 35.694345°, -116.589800°), turn left (west but also a little south) to the old fuel tank, which is located at about 35.694188°, -116.590637°. Explore it respectfully (i.e., leave it exactly as you found it without touching it) before returning to where you turned north. Continue up this wash to the mouth of Military Canyon, directly to the south. (35.713560°, -116.529273°)

4.0 Mouth of Military Canyon (1,106ft.). Continue upcanyon; in general, the walking is fairly easy, although rocks or small dryfalls may present obstacles from time to time, especially starting around mile 4.75. The canyon’s unofficial name is derived from old wreckage from military test missions before this area was in the national park, so keep your eyes open for any kind of “historical junk” that may be present. (35.687496°, -116.589441°)

4.8 Dryfall (1,566ft.). This is an easy scramble. Continue upcanyon. (35.688562°, -116.601725°)

4.9 Dryfall (1,629ft.). Scrambling up the dryfall should once again be fairly easy. At mile 5.3 (35.692502°, -116.606572°), you can scramble north to cross over into Drone Canyon. Shortly after this, about mile 5.75, the canyon suddenly opens up. (35.688664°, -116.602685°)

6.1 Side wash (2,235ft.). This wash (which isn’t any more obvious than the others along the canyon) is another possible crossover to Drone Canyon to the north. Military Canyon is fairly wide around this junction and continues for a way upcanyon before returning to a narrower canyon and the possibility of dryfalls and obstacles. (35.692746°, -116.618032°)

6.7 Canyon Split (2,434ft.). Continue north on the right fork. (35.693819°, -116.626266°)

7.3 Canyon Split (2,752ft.). Take the right fork to travel north and east. The route is rough for a short distance, then becomes easier. (35.699708°, -116.628947°)

7.6 Canyon Split (2,893ft.). Take the left fork to travel north. The wash will turn to the east after a tenth of a mile. (35.702527°, -116.627886°)

7.9 Ridgeline (3,010ft.). This is the end of Military Canyon; if you want a great view, turn left to the top of the small hill. To continue to Mill Benchmark, turn right (east) up toward the high point on the ridge. (35.705343°, -116.627496°)

8.1 Mill BM (3,125ft.). Enjoy 360 views of Owl Lake to the west; Panamint Mountains (including Telescope Peak) to the northwest; Death Valley and the Grapevine Mountains to the north with the Black Mountains also to the north; smaller ranges to the east; and the Quail Mountains and military land to the south and southwest. (35.704951°, -116.624159°)

History & More

Military Canyon was named for the wreckage of an unmanned aircraft (or similar) that was found in the canyon. The area is very near a missile testing facility, and was part of the facility before the area became part of Death Valley National Park, so it’s not surprising. Please leave this historical junk where you found it and refrain from touching it… who knows whether it might blow up or something?

Geological survey benchmarks are survey markers that have been surveyed as accurately as possible, given the technology at the time that they were set in place. They are helpful to current surveyors in ensuring the accuracy of current geographic data. Death Valley National Park alone contains hundreds of benchmarks.

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.