On the handout given by the park service Fall Canyon seem a simple 3 mile out and back hike. At the end it says “After 3.2mi a 25ft dryfall blocks further passage up canyon. A bypass is possible for experienced climber…” By the time I arrived at the dryfall I was quite disappointed. I visited a few other slot canyons in Death Valley and expected more from what is supposed to be the premier. I was not sure if I wanted to make the effort and climb the bypass just to see more of the same. But with 2 other hikers who already climbed ahead of me I decided to follow. I was not disappointed.
The 25 ft. dry fall
Scramble up this 3rd class wall on the right side of the canyon
The slot canyon starts really just above the dry fall. There are walls of blue marble towering above the narrow path. It is definitely worth climbing the bypass to see this. The following pictures are all from the 1/4 mile section above the fall.
Fall Canyon
The 2 guys who helped me decide to climb the fall
Selfie in Fall Canyon
Selfie in Fall Canyon
Fall Canyon
Fall Canyon
After this section the canyon returns to its ordinary form with wider path and lower and less impressive walls. I kept going for a couple of miles, but had to tern around for lack of time.
Feb 7 2017 Cottonwood Canyon
Stats: 15.5 Mile, 3100 ft
From Stovepipe Wells I drove 8 miles of bad dirt road, then 3 miles of even worst jeep trail (not really a road, just a trail that is formed when many vehicles follow the same path) and parked my truck by the street sign at the intersection of Cottonwood and Marble Canyons. There are already several vehicles here along the way.
Greenery in Death Valley? Cottonwood Creek, Death Valley
The jeep trail continues for another 8 1/2 miles to where Cottonwood Stream starts (really ends, disappear into the sand), but since I am making a loop I have to hike this section on foot. Although it is winter (February) it is already too warm to wear a jacket. Cottonwood Stream has running water and it is filled with a forest like dense woods. Although it is all dry due to the winter season, it is obviously a green oasis in the middle of the desert.
I spent the night at 4300 ft at the head of Cottonwood Canyon. Temp were 43 degrees in the morning. Quite comfortable. There were snow covered mountain all around me. To the south is Telescope Peak at 11,000 ft.
Camp at the head of Cottonwood Canyon, 4300 ft.
Feb 8, 2017 Marble Canyon
Stats: 13 1/2 mile, 500 ft.
After gaining the saddle at the top of Cottonwood Canyon I dropped into Dead Horse Canyon and followed it to Marble Canyon. It is really a difficult route to find and my GPS saved me several times from loosing my way. Dead Horse Canyon is flowing well and I met the first people on the trail here – a group of 5 just starting to break camp.
Striation, Marble Canyon
Striation, Marble Canyon
Fossils, Marble Canyon
Marble Canyon has 3 narrow sections labelled “Lower” “Middle” and “Upper”. The upper is through a beautiful black and white stripped marble. The middle is through black marble and is deep and narrow. The lower is not much to talk about. I met a couple who had rented a jeep at Furnace Creek and drove up into Marble Canyon. It is only a mile to the middle narrow from the end of the jeep trail. I guess anyone can get there.
Me at the entrance to the middle narrow
The middle narrow, people for scale
Back at my camper at Stovepipe Wells it is 80 degrees outside… some winter.
chugchug 