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Mosaic Canyon Trail

RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Intermediate Intermediate
 4.2 (29)
  1. Areas
  2. CA
  3. …Deserts
  4. Death Valley National Park
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“A trail through a narrow canyon, highlighting the geology of the area. ”

David Hitchcock
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Map Key

3.5

Miles

5.7

KM

Out and Back

1,936' 590 m

High

970' 296 m

Low

969' 295 m

Up

969' 295 m

Down

10%

Avg Grade (6°)

46%

Max Grade (25°)

Dogs No Dogs

Features Views

Family Friendly Due to the close proximity (.25 miles) of the first set of narrows and polished rock, this offers the opportunity for kids to explore the canyon and climb around on the rocks.

If it's raining, or threatening to rain, you may want to consider another trail due to the fear of flooding in the canyon. The canyon is narrow in several places with some scrambling required over slippery rocks, which could be tricky if it's raining.

Overview

This is a nice out-and-back that can be adjusted to be shorter. That said, the full route is highly recommended! You'll wander through a beautiful canyon with smooth marble walls on either side of you.

Need to Know

Check the weather and road conditions prior to your trip. Carry water at all times. There is no cellular coverage in the area. Bring a map and compass, or use either the REI Co-Op Guide to the National Parks or the Hiking Project mobile app to stay on track.

Drink plenty of water: Drink at least one gallon (4 liters) of water per day to replace loss from sweat, more if you are active. Fluid and electrolyte levels must be balanced, so have salty foods or "sports drinks" too.

Avoid hiking in the heat: Do not hike in the low elevations when temperatures are hot. The mountains are cooler in summer, but can have snow and ice in winter.

Travel prepared to survive: Stay on paved roads in summer. If your car breaks down, stay with it until help comes. Carry extra drinking water in your car in case of emergency.

Watch for signs of trouble: If you feel dizzy, nauseous, or a headache, get out of the sun and drink water.

Description

The parking lot for the trailhead is located 2.5 miles up Mosaic Canyon Road, just before you enter Stovepipe Wells. The gravel road is narrow, but you can access it in your car.

The nice thing about this trail is that you can tailor the outing to your comfort level. Leaving the parking lot, the trail ascends through a wide wash before entering the narrow canyon. Within the first .25 mile of the trail, it enters the canyon where white, smooth stone lines the canyon walls. Great photo opportunities exist in this part of the canyon as it winds its way uphill. Around .5 miles, the trail widens into a large gravel wash, although it is easy to follow due to all of the use. Multiple trails seem to lead through the wash, although most people turn around here and return to their cars.

For those seeking more adventure and a little more solitude, the trail continues to rise, although gently, until it reaches a second canyon. The contour of the walls varies, although the same white, polished stone can be found here. Some scrambling is required to get over some of the rocks in the narrows. At roughly 1.3 miles, there seems to be a rock jam that blocks the trail that causes many people to turn around at this point. If you want to get around the rock jam, scramble through the boulders on the left to get around the jam. Continue for another .2 miles where a larger dryfall (roughly 20 feet high) greets you. As you approach, a trail leads up the hill on the right that allows you to get around the dryfall with relative ease. Once the trail makes it over the dryfall, it descends into another gravel wash and heads further up in the canyon. More scrambling awaits as the trail makes its way further up into the canyon until it reaches 25 foot dryfall. At this point, you have no other option but to turn around and return to your car. As you approach your car, sweeping views of Death Valley and the Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes spread out as you emerge from the canyon.

As with all expeditions in Death Valley, make sure you have plenty of water and sunscreen, as well as a hat of some sort, to help protect you from the effects of the sun and heat. In the morning, travel through the canyon is mostly shaded and pleasant, but as the day progresses, the sun finds its way into the narrows and there is no shade when the sun is directly overhead.

Flora & Fauna

There are a few wildflowers along the trail in various parts of the canyon.

Contacts

Land Manager: NPS - Death Valley National Park

Shared By:

David Hitchcock
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  4.2 from 29 votes

#3

in Death Valley National Park

#560

Overall
  4.2 from 29 votes
5 Star
45%
4 Star
34%
3 Star
21%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

#3

in Death Valley National…

#89

in California

#560

Overall
19 Views Last Month
3,463 Since Apr 9, 2016
Intermediate Intermediate
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31%
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Photos

Mosaic Canyon in Death Valley National Park
Apr 20, 2015 near Badwater, CA
Mosaic Canyon.
Feb 9, 2016 near Badwater, CA
Mosaic Canyon
Nov 19, 2023 near Badwater, CA
Mesquite Flat Dunes from Mosaic Canyon, Death Valley
Feb 9, 2016 near Badwater, CA
Side trails lead up from the canyon offering spectacular views for those that want to scramble up (and down) the sides of the mountains.
Apr 9, 2016 near Badwater, CA
Emerging from the canyon, sweeping views of Death Valley and the Mesquite Sand Dunes (on the right in the distance) await.
Apr 9, 2016 near Badwater, CA

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Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

Jan 19, 2024
Jordon
Nov 18, 2023
Stewart Carnes
The first 1.5 miles is a gradual climb with minor scrambles. There are several sections after 1.5-miles that have more challengin scrambles.
May 29, 2023
Alex Witt
May 7, 2023
Mei-Jun Yeh
Mar 22, 2023
Andrew Zielinski
Mar 14, 2023
Brian Kane
Jan 22, 2023
David Scott
Dec 12, 2022
Matthew Prowant

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