Marble Canyon Death Valley Backpacking

The cottonwood marble loop is death valley s premier backpacking route as it passes through cottonwood canyon which is often lush green and marble canyon which is visually stunning with towering marble narrows over the course of three days.

Marble canyon death valley backpacking.

What many don t realize is you can drive nearly all the way up to where marble canyon starts. Backpacking in death valley national can be challenging but the opportunities for experiencing solitude sweeping vistas dark night skies and awesome geology abound within the three million acres of designated wilderness there are few established trails in the park but hikers can follow canyon bottoms open desert washes alluvial fans and abandoned dirt roads to get around. The 1 8mi 2 9km road requires a 4x4 high clearance vehicle due to small boulders and tight corners through the rocky wash. Winter trips if you want to get out hiking this winter death valley is a great place to do it.

This is a hidden gem in death valley. It includes gps coordinates for the trailheads mile by mile directional cues rich narratives and beautiful photographs. I backpacked starting from cottonwood and ending in marble canyon. A guide to the park s greatest hiking adventures this book includes detailed information about 57 of the best day hikes and extended backpacking trips in death valley.

Descending into marble canyon we ll enjoy hiking through towering narrows and spot prehistoric petroglyphs along with epically ancient fossils. Marble canyon is so majestic. This loop can be done in three days and i would rate it moderately strenuous at that pace. The majority of the other opportunities for backpacking are essentially you re free to wander around and camp in this area and then leave it to hiker to decide where to go where as this loop has a set start and end point and a specific path to follow to get.

Number 1 backpacking trip in death valley allow at least 4 to 5 days to thoroughly enjoy this wondrous backpacking trip with its many side canyons and attractions. You can drive the family there and do a short 3 mile out and back hike and see one of the greatest views of death valley. Hiking death valley national park. Difficulties encountered on the hike include needing high clearance or better yet 4wd to reach the ideal starting point for the hike and.

Great spot to cache water if you are willing to drive a little. The cottonwood canyon marble canyon loop is one of the few backpacking trails in death valley that is actually a trail.