Harry Wade Rd and Owlshead Rd

[shane]

Yep that was me. You weren’t all that loud really, although I did overhear a reference to Cowboy Curtis 😂
We hiked Smoke Tree slot #3 and Great Dry fall cyn this time. I’ll post some photos next week.

[MojaveGeek]

Yep that was me. You weren’t all that loud really, although I did overhear a reference to Cowboy Curtis 😂
We hiked Smoke Tree slot #3 and Great Dry fall cyn this time. I’ll post some photos next week.

Oh yes, photos please   Last time I was there we did all the smoke tree slots, after wandering a bit on our approach due to difficulty navigating based on a photo across all those miles.   But it was great in the end.  While walking across the big flats after the Amargosa crossing, saw a kit fox loping along next to us - no pic, but nice to see one in daylight.

[TacoLand]

Having recently done Sand Canyon for the 3rd or 4th time, I did want to weigh in with a new development at the top of the canyon.

When nearing the top, the canyon splits and I've always gone to the right side (which Steve Hall notes as "the very small canyon below lower dune") to attain the ridge overlooking the basin and Owl Lake. I've poked around the left side a bit but it's a boulder / rock field, and has always been way less appealing than the much easier walk over the compacted sand on the right side.

Wellllllll .... some good erosion and maybe flash flooding has happened in the last two years because the much easier right side is now all chewed up. Here's a photo of the junction start point I'm talking about, along with a vertical showing the condition of the sand bypass now. In the past when I've done this it was pretty much a leisurely cruise. Now it's choked with rocks, brush, and other random debris.

Also ... when doing the Sand Canyon hike this time I tried to keep in mind the idea of doing it with an overnight pack. It's hard to give backpacking recommendations to a stranger because I don't know your level of fitness, your physical capabilities, and what sort of gear you have (mostly concerned about weight). I'm a mindless idiot when it comes to hiking and can put down mile after mile, pretty well loaded (gear and state of mind), but I think backpacking this as a through hike might suck for a lot of people. On the day hike we did, two friends tagging along bailed out at this juncture while I shot for the Owl Lake overview ridge. My girlfriend followed like the trooper that she is, but I did resort to lying to her once or twice in the now mangled approach that "only one more ridge to go" in an effort to drag her ass all the way to the end.

YMMV.

[shane]

Having done Owl lake this last trip from the Owlshead mtn road, I realized it would be a cinch to combine upper Sand as a side trip, especially if you camped on Owl lake. Depending on time and energy level you might be able to go down as far as the boulders section before heading back up to camp.

[DeathValleyDazed]

My girlfriend followed like the trooper that she is, but I did resort to lying to her once or twice in the now mangled approach that "only one more ridge to go" in an effort to drag her ass all the way to the end.

Hey TacoLand, loving your trip report and your manipulative techniques that match your hiking skills. 

Those two images come through vividly and are so inviting for a hike through. Thanks for sharing!

[MojaveGeek]

Wow, someone likes Sand Canyon That's a long ways to go for a 3x! Great pix though. And you're right, sure looks like a mess in there now!.

[TacoLand]

Yeah, I've always enjoyed Sand Canyon for multiple reasons despite it not checking any of the boxes that more well-known hikes further north in the Park offer. But I'll gladly trade in epic views & geology for some solitude and climbing on giant rocks.

I've camped on the edge of Owl Lake before and really like Shane's idea of using it as a basecamp for day hikes into some of the upper canyon stretches. I'd also rather have a long day with a loaded daypack, pounding out a loop through two canyons, versus making it an overnighter with a heavier pack.

As long as you're not near me, camping on Harry Wade Road or Owl Hole Spring Road offer a good amount of solitude. If you're 100% fixated on spending a night in one of the canyons I understand that as well though.