Frommer's National Parks of the American West - Don Laine [139]
A rocky, mountainous trail climbs steeply to the site of this successful gold mine, passing along the way the solid, efficient wooden tramway that carried ore out of the mountain. The trail obeys an old miner's adage that the best way up a mountainside is the straightest, even if it's the most strenuous. You'll be rewarded with spectacular views of the park and substantial artifacts from the mining operation. The many mine tunnels and shafts are fascinating, though potentially deadly; cave-ins, rattlesnakes, poisonous gases, and abandoned explosives lead the list of reasons to keep out of the mine openings. If this hike seems too challenging, try the Keane Wonder Spring trail (below).
Keane Wonder Spring Trail
2 miles RT. Easy. Access: Trailhead leads north, away from Keane Wonder parking area and the steeper mine hike.
This trail undulates gently across an alluvial fan and follows the pipeline from the spring that supplied water for the gold-mining operation. The smell of sulfur and the piping calls of birds signal your arrival at the spring, which lies slightly uphill of the trail. A short walk beyond leads to cabin ruins and a mine shaft.
Mosaic Canyon
2.4 miles RT. Moderate. Access: End of a short, graded dirt road just east of Stovepipe Wells on Calif. 190.
This short stroll requires a bit of rock scrambling into a canyon where water has polished the marble rock into white, gray, and black mosaics. The first mile is very easy, suitable for every skill level; children will love running their hands over the water-smoothed rock walls. More adventurous climbers can continue up a series of chutes and dry waterfalls in the latter half of the hike.
Natural Bridge Canyon
1 mile RT. Moderate. Access: Take Badwater Rd. 15 miles south of Furnace Creek and continue 2 miles on unpaved spur road suitable for passenger vehicles.
This short walk takes you into a colorful narrow canyon. The loose gravel underfoot makes for a tiring walk, but it's less than .5 mile to the distinctive formation that gives the canyon its name: a rock bridge overhead, formed when rushing waters cut through softer lower layers.
Salt Creek Nature Trail
.5 mile RT. Easy. Access: Take Calif. 190 14 miles north of Furnace Creek or 13 miles east of Stovepipe Wells, then follow 1-mile graded dirt spur road.
A leisurely hike on a wooden boardwalk leads you along the unique salt marshes, passing a few plants (including the unusual pickleweed) along the way. In the spring, watch for the amazingly adaptive Salt Creek pupfish flashing about in the shallow water.
Sand Dunes
2 miles RT. Easy. Access: 2 miles east of Stovepipe Wells Village on Calif. 190.
Although not as majestic as the remote Eureka Dunes in northern Death Valley, these golden mounds off U.S. 190 are easy to reach and fun to romp around on. There's no formal trail—simply explore to your heart's content. Kids especially will enjoy a barefoot romp on the fine sand dotted with stands of mesquite. Don't forget an adequate supply of water; in the midday sun, the dunes get very hot.
Titus Canyon
3 miles RT. Easy. Access: Up a signed dirt road off Scotty's Castle Rd. (about 15 miles north of Calif. 190) that leads to the mouth of Titus Canyon, where it meets a one-way road for 4WD vehicles from Nev. 374; trail begins where the road becomes one-way coming toward you (from Nevada).
As you hike, watch for vehicle traffic coming one-way from the other direction. The canyon's rock walls are an amateur geologist's dream—layers of orange, black, and blue-gray volcanic sediment streaked with threads of gleaming white calcite. Though you can augment this easy hike by continuing through the canyon, there's a broad pullout from the road at 1.5 miles; it's a good place to enjoy the view, and perhaps a picnic, before returning the way you came.
Little Hebe Crater Trail
1.5 miles RT. Moderate. Access: Trailhead leads up from parking area for Ubehebe