
Old Mining Road North of Talc Canyon – Death Valley National Park
Follow a vague old road to a prospect in the Owlshead Mountains.
Total Distance: 8.6 miles out & back | Elevation Gain: 1,398ft. (-101ft. to 1,140ft.) |
Difficulty: Strenuous | 5-10 Mile Difficulty: 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 after you’re at least 1 mile from the Badwater Road |
Trailhead Amenities: None | Crowd Factor: Solitude |
Trailhead Access: 1.3 | |
Uses: ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | Trail Surface: ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Features: ![]() ![]() | Hazards: ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Mile-by-Mile: Old Mining Road North of Talc Canyon
0.0 Unmarked beginning of an old mining road on the Harry Wade Road (46ft.). The old road heads southwest toward the Amargosa River. Your destination is in the black hills to the right of the lighter yellow hills – you’ll understand better later on. (35.8967850°, -116.6521988°)
0.75 Amargosa River Crossing (-101ft.). The river is usually dry or easily waded across. The road continues southwest and then west toward the mountains. The road may be difficult to follow at times, as it works its way up multiple small washes and drainage channels. (35.887583°, -116.658784°)
1.9 Confidence Hills (157ft.). The old road passes through the Confidence Hills via a wash. It leaves the wash on the right approx. 35.878328°, -116.683663° about mile 2.4 and becomes more defined as it heads southwest for the Owlshead Mountains. It crosses one more wide wash with many channels just before coming to the point where the road meets the mountains; at this point, you should be able to see where you’re going. (35.880753°, -116.676111°)
3.7 Road meets the Owlshead Mountains (751ft.). The old road rises northwest into the mountains. (Turning left here off the road would take you into Talc Canyon.) It comes to a large-ish wash, turns sharply to the left, then turns sharply again to double back on itself up to the old slag pile. As the wash has washed out the road in this section, it may be easier to skirt the edge of the edge of the wash rather than dropping into it. (35.867714°, -116.701883°)
4.3 Old Prospect (1,140ft.). Be sure to enjoy the views of the Black Mountains as well as the old prospect. Retrace your steps back to the Harry Wade Road. (35.869862°, -116.710183°)
History & More
The old mining road is also the access for Talc Canyon to the south. You may wish to explore part or all of its length, including some interesting rock formations and talc-like cliffs.
I’m not certain what type of precious ore was the focus of this prospect. Death Valley had many ore rushes, from silver and gold to copper and talc. Try not to breathe the dust around the old mines, as it often contains toxic chemicals.
The Amargosa River is 185 miles long, flowing from the Amargosa Valley to Death Valley, where it vanishes into an underground aquifer. It rarely flows above ground in this section except after rain or snowmelt – when it can turn into a dangerous waterway. Chances are you’ll only see water from December-April, though it can flow at any time of year. The word “Amargosa” comes from a Spanish word meaning “bitter.”
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, unofficial beginning of the route is 0.3 miles south of the northern end of the Harry Wade Road. From the south, the “trailhead” is 18.9 miles north of the Owl Hole Spring Road.
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.
Always be wary of flash floods in a canyon.
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.)