Death Valley – Mosaic Canyon Hike

Introduction:

What? :

Mosaic Canyon Hike offers stunning, up-close geological rocks, deep canyons and few dry falls and boulders. The trail will lead you into a natural deep canyon that narrows up in some sections where it cuts through the rocks.

The out and back hike is less than 4 miles round trip if you are hiking all the way to the final impassable dry fall with elevation gain of almost 1,000 feet and it will take you 1.5-2 hours to complete.

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Where? : 

The trailhead is located at the end of a dirt road just south west of Stovepipe Wells.

To reach the trailhead, you'll take the 2.3-mile (3.7 km) unpaved Mosaic Canyon Road off Highway 190. No need for a high-clearance vehicle although the gravel road is often bumpy and washboarded, so driving slowly and carefully in a sedan is essential.

The road ends at a large gravel parking area.

Google Map Link

When? :

The park is open year-round.

Death Valley is famous for its extreme heat, so timing your visit is crucial for a safe and enjoyable experience.

Ideal Hiking Season: The best time to hike Mosaic Canyon and enjoy the park's lower elevations is from November through March. Temperatures during this period are generally mild and much more bearable.

Winter (Nov-Mar): Daytime temperatures can range from the upper 60s to the 80s (Fahrenheit), making for pleasant hiking. Nights can be very colds (around and below freezing temperatures)

Spring/Fall (Apr, Oct): Temperatures begin to climb, often reaching 90°F to 100°F+.

Summer (May-Sept): Temperatures are dangerously high, often exceeding 115°F, with the air feeling like an oven in the canyons. Hiking is strongly discouraged during the midday heat in these months.

Best Time of Day: Even in cooler months, it is highly recommended to start your hike at sunrise or in the late afternoon/early evening to maximize shade within the canyon narrows and avoid the harshest sun.

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Tips and inputs:

Due note 1: 

Although this is not a long hike, take enough water with you. I don’t recommend any hiking in the lower elevations of Death Valley during the hot summer months. It can be 90f degrees in early spring… just think of 120-130f in summertime…

Due note 2: 

The hiking trail is clear to follow, just stay in the main canyon, but it will be good if you will have a paper map or even better GPS application.

Due note 3: 

Stovepipe Wells Village, a small, central hub offering lodging, fuel, and a general store.

There is minimal to no cell reception in this area of the Death Valley.

Due note 4: 

There is very little shade anywhere in Death Valley so use sunscreen even in winter months. If you are hiking here early in the morning or late in the afternoon the canyon walls will protect you from the sun.

Due note 5: 

This is one of the most popular hikes in Death Valley so do not expect to be the only one here.

Due note 6: 

No toilet in the parking lot. You can find one at the nearby Stovepipe Wells gas station, store and lodge.

Due note 7: 

If you are hiking this trail during April/May or Sept/Oct, the mid-day highs temperatures can be 90-105’F, so start the hike before 10am.

When visiting or hiking at the Death Valley use several layers as clothing. You can start your day with cold temperatures during early morning sunrise to a very hot midday (even in fall, winter, and spring). In the afternoon it can warm but at sunset temperature plumage and it can be near freezing.

Wear sturdy, closed-toed hiking shoes with good grip. The water-polished marble can be slick, and the trail involves loose gravel and scrambling.

Due note 8: 

Pets are not allowed on any trail in Death Valley National Park, even if carried. Do not leave your animal in your vehicle.

Due note 9: 

Stay out of the canyon if it is raining or threatens to get heavy rain because of flash flood dangers, especially do not get into the slot canyons in such a situation.

My thoughts:

I hiked this mid Oct just before sunset and the weather was perfect for hiking.

When we started the hike there were many other hikers in the canyon but as it started getting late in the afternoon the canyon cleared out from most other hikers.

It was a fun 3.5 miles hike; the canyon's rock formation is interesting, overcoming some waterfalls and boulders and there is a lot to see.

The Hike:

The Mosaic Canyon hike is a geological outdoor museum, renowned for its unique rock formations and the stunning effects of erosion.

The canyon gets its name from the Mosaic Breccia rock formation.

This is a sedimentary rock composed of sharp, angular fragments of many different rock types (like a natural mosaic) cemented together in a colorful, intricate matrix.

The hike goes into the Tucki Mountain area of Death Valley.

The hike starts from the parking lot at the end of the gravel road.

After a short hike from the parking lot into the wide desert wash the rocky canyon walls start to close in to form tight, stunning narrows.

Here, thousands of years of flash floods carrying sand and gravel have smoothed the Dolomite rock into a sleek, marble-like finish.

The tall walls are incredibly tactile and often look like swirling, polished sculpture.

Once passing this narrow section the canyon widens up again into a desert river wash.

As you continue walking up the canyon, the canyon narrows up again and the walk involves fun challenges passing over water-polished marble falls that can be slick.

The trail here involves loose gravel and scrambling boulder-hopping and small dry waterfalls overcoming.

You will reach a large boulder and waterfall closing the narrow canyon, the passage to the upper level of the waterfall is to the left, over the gap in between the boulders.

The bypass route around the waterfall is marked by arrows made of stones on the ground.

Keep walking and pass more dry smooth rock and small waterfalls and you will reach the first large waterfall that blocks the main canyon.

You can’t climb this fall but you need to back up and see the trail bypassing it to the right side of the canyon.

Climb up the gravel section and you can continue walking up in the main canyon.

Shortly after this waterfall the journey ends at an impassable to pass high dry waterfall, this will be the end of the trail about 1.8 to 2 miles in. 

Now you need to hike down the same way, from here all is downhill.

This hike is generally considered Easy to Moderate and it is suitable for families.

The first half-mile (the most scenic) is easy, but the full hike involves some rock scrambling and a gradual, consistent uphill climb.

The trail is generally not marked past the trailhead sign, but it naturally follows the canyon wash.

Pay attention to rock arrows (cairns) guiding you around obstacles like the large boulder jam and the bypasses for the dry falls.

Final Thoughts:

The Mosaic Canyon hike in Death Valley is a moderate adventure hike best experienced between November and March. The popular hike leads you into a geological marvel canyon, famous for its smooth, water-polished marble walls and the intricate Mosaic Breccia rock patterns. Be prepared for some dry waterfalls scrambling, this is part of this hike fun factors.

Additional Pictures: