Golden Canyon – Gower Gulch Loop
in Death Valley National Park
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Golden Canyon – Gower Gulch Loop visits some of the most stunning landscapes in Death Valley.
The 4-mile hike begins with a one-mile trek up Golden Canyon. Numbered markers along the way make the canyon easy to follow. These markers correspond with an interpretive trail guide that tells the geological history of the land. The guide is available for purchase at the trailhead and visitor centers, but no guide is required to realize the beauty of Golden Canyon.
The sides of the canyon are made up of red mudstone and colorful mosaic conglomerates. Occasional broken pavement offers a reminder that there was once a road through this canyon until a rainstorm washed it out in 1976. Follow the main wash uphill toward the prominent landmark aptly named the Red Cathedral.
Several small canyons break off from the main channel, begging to be explored. Answering that call is the hiker’s prerogative.
Manly Beacon
One mile into the hike, near marker #10, the loop leaves Golden Canyon. Follow the brown arrow pointing to the right and hike out of the canyon on a footpath that passes just beneath a prominence named Manly Beacon. As a side trek, hikers may continue ¼ mile up Golden Canyon to the base of Red Cathedral.
The single-track beneath Manly Beacon provides some of the finest views of the loop. At the high point of the divide, hikers can enjoy a mesmerizing panorama across the badlands.
Looking down on the terrain around Golden Canyon
Beyond Manly Beacon, the trail descends mudstone slopes into Gower Gulch. The path breaks up a bit, allowing hiker to plot their own course down to the wash. The badlands region is quite interesting to explore, and getting lost is difficult as all ways downhill lead to Gower Gulch.
A variation on this loop is to turn up Gower Gulch and follow the Badlands Trail to Zabriskie Point, a scenic overlook along Highway 190. This can be used as an extraction point for those with a vehicle at that trailhead, or as an extension of the Golden Canyon – Gower Gulch loop to see more of this impressive environment.
There are no interpretive markers along Gower Gulch, and less of a trail. Simply follow the wash as it winds downhill and out of the mountains. The gulch passes several Borax miles. Borax, called white gold by miners, was extracted extensively in this region in the 1880s and many mines shafts remain. They are unstable and not for exploration.
Gower Gulch
The bottom of Gower Gulch is home to a tall dry falls. To avoid this drop, follow the trail to the right. This route exits the canyon and turns right, crossing the open desert to the trailhead parking lot at the bottom of Golden Canyon.
The Golden Canyon – Gower Gulch Loop is one of the more popular hikes in Death Valley and is a true delight. Morning is the best time to hike the loop, when temperatures are cooler and the sunlight highlights the colorful landscape. Review this NPS trail description and map before beginning the hike.
To get to the trailhead: From Furnace Creek, drive 2 miles south on Badwater Road and turn east (left) into the Golden Canyon parking area.
Use the map below to create your own directions:
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Photos
These photos were taken in January of 2006, April of 2007, and November of 2009. Click to enlarge.
Nearby Trails
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This 2.5-mile loop offers a great immersion into the terrain beneath Zabriskie Point. |
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The 2-mile round-trip hike up Natural Bridge Canyon is a great trek for those interested in learning about the geological history of Death Valley. |
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