Quartz Canyon – Death Valley National Park

An unofficially-named canyon in the Owlshead Mountains just south of Wind Cave Canyon. The two canyons are sometimes completed as a loop. Total Distance: 11.6 miles out & back Elevation Gain: 2,006ft. (149ft. to 2,147ft.) Difficulty: 10+ Mile Difficulty: View Rating: Author’s Rating: Visitor Rating: Visitor Difficulty Rating: Pets: No Horses: Yes Best Seasons: November-April […]

Wind Cave Canyon – Death Valley National Park

An unofficially-named canyon in the Owlshead Mountains north of Quartz Canyon. The canyon was named for the unusual number of “caves” (small to large holes in rocks) along the sides of the canyon. Total Distance: 7.4 miles out & back Elevation Gain: 1,307ft. (148ft. to 1,449ft.) Difficulty: 5-10 Mile Difficulty: View Rating: Author’s Rating: Visitor […]

Owlshead Slots – Death Valley National Park

An unofficially-named canyon in the Owlshead Mountains just south of Sand Canyon. Slots are rare in the Owlshead Mountains, so this is a unique feature. Total Distance: 6.8 miles out & back Elevation Gain: 1,293ft. elevation gain (148ft. to 1,366ft.) Difficulty: 5-10 Mile Difficulty: View Rating: Author’s Rating: Visitor Rating: Visitor Difficulty Rating: Pets: No […]

Sand Canyon – Death Valley National Park

An unofficially-named canyon in the Owlshead Mountains differentiated by sandy “dunes” near its mouth. Total Distance: 12.0 miles out & back Elevation Gain: 2,305ft. (147ft. to 2,396ft.) Difficulty: 10+ Mile Difficulty: View Rating: Author’s Rating: Visitor Rating: Visitor Difficulty Rating: Pets: No Horses: Yes Best Seasons: November-April Special Permits: None Water Availability: No potable or […]

Passage Canyon – Death Valley National Park

An unofficially-named canyon in the Owlshead Mountains. The canyon is named for “the passage” – towering walls that close in over the wash. Total Distance: 14.0 miles out & back Elevation Gain: 2,114ft. (6ft. to 2,008ft.) Difficulty: 10+ Mile Difficulty: View Rating: Author’s Rating: Visitor Rating: Visitor Difficulty Rating: Pets: No Horses: Yes Best Seasons: […]

Great Dry Fall Canyon – Death Valley National Park

An unofficially-named canyon in the Owlshead Mountains. It is also known as Magnetite Canyon. The canyon received its name from a large dry fall about 0.6 miles from the canyon mouth. Total Distance: 13.0 miles out & back Elevation Gain: 2,014ft. (2ft. to 1,900ft.) Difficulty: 10+ Mile Difficulty: View Rating: Author’s Rating: Visitor Rating: Visitor […]

South Smoke Tree Canyon – Death Valley National Park

An unofficially-named canyon in the Owlshead Mountains filled with smoke trees. Total Distance: 14.0 miles out & back Elevation Gain: 2,480ft. (-2ft. to 2,378ft.) Difficulty: 10+ Mile Difficulty: View Rating: Author’s Rating: Visitor Rating: Visitor Difficulty Rating: Pets: No Horses: Yes Best Seasons: November-April Special Permits: None Water Availability: No potable or reliable water Overnight […]

Smoke Tree Slots – Death Valley National Park

Two slot canyons south of Smoke Tree Canyon. Total Distance: 9.25 miles out & back with spurs Elevation Gain: 1,008ft. (-2ft. to 599ft.) Difficulty: 5-10 Mile Difficulty: View Rating: Author’s Rating: Visitor Rating: Visitor Difficulty Rating: Pets: No Horses: Yes Best Seasons: November-April Special Permits: None Water Availability: No potable or reliable water Overnight Options: […]

Smoke Tree Canyon – Death Valley National Park

Smoke trees grow in this canyon in the Owlshead Mountains. Total Distance: 14.2 miles out & back Elevation Gain: 2,137ft. (-2ft. to 2,021ft.) Difficulty: 10+ Mile Difficulty: View Rating: Author’s Rating: Visitor Rating: Visitor Difficulty Rating: Pets: No Horses: Yes Best Seasons: November-April Special Permits: None Water Availability: No potable or reliable water Overnight Options: […]

Through-Granite Canyons Crossover – Death Valley National Park

Connect Through Canyon and Granite Canyon as a loop. It is recommended to go up Through Canyon and down Granite Canyon. Total Distance: 1.4 miles point-to-point Elevation Gain: 602ft. (1,346ft. to 1,871ft.) Difficulty: 0-5 Mile Difficulty: View Rating: Author’s Rating: Visitor Rating: Visitor Difficulty Rating: Pets: No Horses: Yes Best Seasons: November-April Special Permits: None […]