Walled with both mosaic conglomerates and smooth marbleized rocks, Mosaic Canyon is a fine specimen of Death Valley geology. From the parking lot at the mouth of the canyon, it is just a short walk into lower Mosaic Canyon. Hike up this slender slot between wavy white walls. Run your hands across the smooth stone and let the calming canyon surround you.

After less than half a mile, the canyon opens up to an expansive gravel wash. This marks the top of the lower canyon and the end of the most impressive part of the trail. Many visitors simply turn around right here, making Mosaic a brief but beautiful excursion.

Mosaic Canyon

Those in favor of the early turnaround, but interested in a little time out of the canyon, can take the “road less traveled” back to the trailhead. A steep footpath climbs the ridge to the left of the wide opening. Above the canyon, the path offers e a wide view of the center of Death Valley. For there one can continue downhill and cross-country back to the trailhead.

But for those with energy left in their legs, Mosaic Canyon continues beyond lower canyon. Head uphill across the massive gravely wash. After a distance of roughly half a mile, the massive wash narrows again. Here the canyon walls present more of the “mosaic breccia” conglomerate rocks that the canyon is name for. Boulders across the canyon provide fun and easy obstacles, until they give way to a 20-foot dry falls. This is the second popular turnaround point, but footpaths along the western slope make it possible to get to the top of the dry falls and further up the canyon (which eventually becomes less passable).

Mosaic Canyon is frequently recommended to new visitors by park rangers, which means it is frequently crowded. Nevertheless, it is an interesting canyon, and even the short version of this hike is quite enjoyable. It is four miles to the dry falls and back with 750 feet of elevation gain.

To get to the trailhead: From Furnace Creek, take Highway 190 northwest for 27 miles. Pass through the small resort hamlet of Stovepipe Wells and turn left up Mosaic Canyon Road. Take this well-maintained dirt road 2 miles to the trailhead.

Use the map below to create your own directions to Mosaic Canyon:

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Photos

 

                           

These photos were taken in January of 2009 and November of 2009. Click to enlarge.

Nearby Trails

 

	Grotto Canyon This 2 to 4 mile hike requires a bit of climbing and is a lesser-visited trail in Death Valley.
	Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes This 1 + mile hike explores the most visible (but not the largest) sand dunes in Death Valley
	Darwin Falls This 2-mile hike visits a refreshing year-round waterfall on the western side of Death Valley.
	Wildrose Peak This 8.4-mile hike summits a 9,064-foot peak in the Panamint Mountains north of Telescope Peak.
	Death Valley Explore more destinations in Death Valley National Park

Camping

 

Death Valley Campgrounds There are nine campgrounds spread throughout this large park to facilitate your visit.

More Info

 

The national park’s webpage for Mosaic Canyon

USGS geology field trip of Mosaic Canyon

Mosaic Canyon on birdandhike.com

Mosaic Canyon on protrails.com

The official website for Death Valley

Death Valley on Wikipedia