Golden Canyon to Zabriskie Point - 6.1 Miles Round-Trip

Zabriskie Point stands high over a network of canyons and badlands on the east edge of Death Valley. A winding trail leads through an intricately carved landscape to exceptional views across Death Valley:

Enter Golden Canyon and head up the gravel wash. Numbered markers in the wash correspond to the Golden Canyon Interpretive Trail pamphlet available for purchase at the trailhead.

Note multiple layers of sediment ranging in size from boulders to fine-grained sand and silt. Pressure from periodic burials fused once loose material into solid conglomerates; subsequent uplifts and erosion have exposed the distinct and diverse deposits in this rock.

The canyon-trail forks right in .7 miles to Interpretive Sign #10 (right side) and the split for Zabriskie Point (1 mile : 157'). Bear right from Sign #10 out of Golden Canyon into the badlands below Zabriskie Point.

The Cathedral's cliffs are comprised of conglomerate material similar to that exposed near the mouth of Golden Canyon, once the loose debris of an alluvial fan. Oxidation has given these walls a distinct crimson color, a sharp contrast to lighter-hue badlands directly below.

The trail crests beneath Manly Beacon and bends south (1.45 miles : 510') to the first of two marked connections with Gower Gulch (1.85 miles : 370').

Follow signs left (uphill) toward Zabriskie Point. The trail negotiates a narrow gully, which partly obscures an important steep left turn out of it (2 miles : 405').

Travel eases on a high bench (2.2 miles : 560') with views of Red Cathedral, Manly Beacon and the network of washes and gullies through which you've risen.

A few quick turns drop back to a second marked connection with Gower Gulch (2.35 miles : 495'). The split itself lies in Gower Gulch; bear immediately left up a side wash that joins it for the final push to Zabriskie Point.

The trail crests and slips through a notch (2.9 miles : 660') that spills into the Zabriskie Point parking area off of Highway 190. It continues on to the overlook (3.05 miles : 725') with long views across the badlands, Death Valley and Panamint Mountains.

Consider returning via Gower Gulch, which adds nominal distance but tremendous variation.