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: Easy | 0-5 Mile Difficulty: Moderate |
| View Rating: 2.0 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 |
| 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: Through-Granite Canyon Crossover
0.0 Unmarked trailhead on the Harry Wade Road (25ft.). Follow the route for Through Canyon to the Canyon Split 2. (35.842780°, -116.561001°)
0.0 (6.6) Through Canyon Split 2 (1,346ft.). Turn right here up the wide wash. Continue up the wide wash, and don’t be tempted to take the narrower wash on the right (north) shortly after turning out of the main wash. When the wash widens even more, stay close to the hills on the right to continue due north. (35.794588°, -116.652521°)
1.1 (7.7) Wash split (1,7193ft.). Take the right (east) fork (though the left fork looks like it has some interesting scenery and narrows) to travel northeast. Almost immediately, stay left when the wash splits again. The wash then climbs to a low divide and descends steeply into the upper part of Granite Canyon. (35.803099°, -116.666781°)
1.4 (8.0) Granite Canyon Split (1,796ft.). From here, the head of Granite Canyon is about 0.25 miles to the left (west) and the Harry Wade Road is about 6.9 miles downcanyon. (35.806692°, -116.666070°)
History & More
Through Canyon and Granite Canyon are most often hiked together via this route. It’s likely pretty well-defined, as the loop is the most popular hike in the Owlshead Mountains.
It’s recommended by seasoned hikers to go up Through Canyon and down Granite Canyon, though of course the choice is yours.
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 6.7 miles south of the northern end of the Harry Wade Road. If coming from the south, the “trailhead” is 12.5 miles beyond the Owl Hole Spring Road. Hike 6.6 miles to and up Through Canyon to the crossover route to Granite 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.)