2021-02-19, 08:41 PM
I have never had an issue parking for access to the Owlsheads or a bit further north. The road is generally wide enough. The first few miles south of pavement are a bit narrow but there are a number of places where people pull out for some excellent dispersed camping. As long as people can reliably get by you, you're good - don't wedge yourself into or on the berm.
As David says, it's usually dry. I crossed once when it was just barely wet, and the sand was actually packed, not really mud. Definitely just walk across it if in doubt. Remember, if you get caught in sand, you can always use your rental's floor mats and trunk mat for traction. If you can't get on them, jack up just a bit to place them. And as posted up thread, never spin your wheels - you are just digging your own grave.
The only canyon I've gone all the way up is Sand. I presume you've looked at Steve Hall's trip reports? He is a big fan of the Owlsheads and I've followed his footsteps out there. I know he's done a few trips in there with loops.
There is also a cool area a bit north, nearer the Confidence Hills, where the Amargosa makes a long narrow channel in the valley floor. Its deep enough that your head is beneath the overall land surface, so a "narrows" experience, and sometimes we found pools in there, though of course all depends on whether it has been a wet year or not. Mostly dry and cracked mud. It was sort of eerie to cross the broad flats and suddenly drop in narrows.
Algol, I hope you realize that the price you pay for our learned advice is that we love to see trip reports
As David says, it's usually dry. I crossed once when it was just barely wet, and the sand was actually packed, not really mud. Definitely just walk across it if in doubt. Remember, if you get caught in sand, you can always use your rental's floor mats and trunk mat for traction. If you can't get on them, jack up just a bit to place them. And as posted up thread, never spin your wheels - you are just digging your own grave.
The only canyon I've gone all the way up is Sand. I presume you've looked at Steve Hall's trip reports? He is a big fan of the Owlsheads and I've followed his footsteps out there. I know he's done a few trips in there with loops.
There is also a cool area a bit north, nearer the Confidence Hills, where the Amargosa makes a long narrow channel in the valley floor. Its deep enough that your head is beneath the overall land surface, so a "narrows" experience, and sometimes we found pools in there, though of course all depends on whether it has been a wet year or not. Mostly dry and cracked mud. It was sort of eerie to cross the broad flats and suddenly drop in narrows.
Algol, I hope you realize that the price you pay for our learned advice is that we love to see trip reports