Surprise Canyon to Panamint City Trail • Hike • California • All Triplogs • HikeArizona.COM

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Dec 30 2022

ShatteredArm

Guides 12
Routes 192
Photos 863
Triplogs 356

42 male

Joined Nov 30 2015
Phoenix, AZ

Surprise Canyon to Panamint City Trail

Death Valley, CA

Surprise Canyon to Panamint City Trail

Death Valley, CA

Hiking		Dec 30 2022
		ShatteredArm • Triplogs 356

Hiking	12.38 Miles	4,036 AEG

Hiking	12.38 Miles	5 Hrs 12 Mns	2.43 mph
	4,036 ft AEG	6 Mns Break

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Partners

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This one had been on my list since my last visit to DV, and I decided to make it happen. Truth be told, this was kinda the "main event" for the trip. Camped near the junction of the Surprise Canyon spur road (and moved camp at around 9pm because a large group with a loud generator set up about 200 feet away after it got dark), and got an 8am start, with temperatures in the mid 30s.

Explored the Chris Wicht camp for a few minutes, then headed up canyon. The Surprise Canyon narrows were awesome; it's nearly impossible to keep the feet dry, and in a couple of places you're walking up waterfalls. There are a couple of dry stretches of creek on the way to Brewery Springs, and the dry stretches were the easiest hiking.

Just before Panamint City, I found my first human being, who told me I had the place to myself - but then I saw someone else up there. I told her the guy just told me I'd have the place to myself, and she asked, "what guy?" Is it really possible that two separate people camped up there without noticing each other?

Anyways, the place was awesome. People camp inside the Panamint Hilton, but it seemed to wobbly for my comfort. Several other structures, my favorite of which was the mill with lots of machinery still intact. Wandered up canyon a little ways, probably half way to Wyoming Mine (if I had known I was that close, I probably would've checked it out). All in all, spent about 45 minutes in the PC area before heading back down.

This is easily my favorite hike in DVNP thus far.

Named place

Named place [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Brewery Spring Limekiln Spring Panamint City Panamint Range Surprise Canyon

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Jun 03 2012

autumnstars

Guides 26
Routes 21
Photos 562
Triplogs 1,393

female

Joined Jan 04 2011
Las Vegas, NV

Surprise Canyon to Panamint City Trail

Death Valley, CA

Surprise Canyon to Panamint City Trail

Death Valley, CA

Hiking		Jun 03 2012
		autumnstars • Triplogs 1,393

Hiking	3.40 Miles	1,400 AEG

Hiking	3.40 Miles
	1,400 ft AEG

no routes

Linked

none

no linked trail guides

Partners

none

no partners

Day 2 of our Death Valley trip. Last time we tried this hike, we had to book it back to the van when a storm abruptly rolled in, so we were hoping for better luck today. There was only 1 other vehicle at the trail head, and they had signed the register as a group of 3 backpacking so we figured they had gotten a much earlier start.

This hike starts out along a lush riparian zone with permanent surface flow. You cross the water innumerable times (sandals, water shoes, or water-proof boots are a plus), enjoying the vegetation and birds. There is also plenty here for history buffs - numerous mining audits and shafts throughout the canyon, along with random mining implements washed down during flash floods. In the lower part of the canyon, the water has pretty much eliminated all signs of the former road and I had forgotten just how much pushing through the brush there is on this hike. On the plus side, you are in the shade along flowing water, but on the down side (at least when it's hot) all that vegetation sure creates a lot of humidity.

We were buzzed by jewel-toned dragonflies until reaching the waterfall

. This is the point where all of your attempts to keep dry feet become pointless. There is no way up except to climb straight up the waterfall. Plenty of flat ledges make this an easy and fun task, although the rocks are slick. Once up the waterfall, it was back to pushing through the vegetation. By the time we reached Limekiln Spring, we were really sweating it up. :sweat:

We found a nicely shaded spot to stop for some lunch and assessed our water situation - not good.

We decided not to push it, and headed back down. With temperatures pushing 100 in this closed-in canyon, it was just too hot to enjoy the hike. We'll have to return with cooler weather.

Culture

Culture [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Automobile Remains/Wreckage Truck Remains/Wreckage

Wildflowers Observation Isolated

	Brewery Spring	Gallon + per minute	Gallon + per minute
	Strong flow

	Limekiln Spring	Gallon + per minute	Gallon + per minute
	Strong flow.

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"Let it ride / Let it roll / Let it go"

WARNING! Hiking and outdoor related sports can be dangerous. Be responsible and prepare for the trip. Study the area you are entering and plan accordingly. Dress for the current and unexpected weather changes. Take plenty of water. Never go alone. Make an itinerary with your plan(s), route(s), destination(s) and expected return time. Give your itinerary to trusted family and/or friends.

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