Canyons are rugged, beautiful and utterly mystifying places. When you realise the sheer power and time that went into their creation, they become more impressive. There is a canyon in one of the harshest desert climates in the world which you can drive through. Titus Canyon in Death Valley.
Titus Canyon got its name after a mining engineer went missing in the canyon in 1905. His remains have never been recovered. That year, 13 more individuals went missing in Death Valley, which is more than any other time.
DRIVING TITUS CANYON
It is a total of 27 miles on a one-way dirt track. The last 3 miles, however, are two way, but that is after you emerge from the canyon.
Depending on how long you like to stop and look at things and maybe do a hike or two, expect it to take about 2 to 3 hours. Keep in mind this area is not patrolled by rangers very often and is remote. We only saw one other vehicle throughout our time in Titus Canyon.
Our Adventure Through The Canyon
Airing down the tires, we set off through the Amargosa Valley off of Highway 374.
The geological features start bulging out of the hillsides and rising high up off of the desert floor, allowing you to begin travelling back in time. As you take the winding dirt track up the Grapevine Mountains, it becomes more rugged and slow going.
Around a tight bend, an incredible sight silently waits as you crest a magnificent overlook. This is Red Pass and is the dividing point between Titanothere Canyon and Titus Canyon.
Fun fact: Titanothere Canyon derived its name from an enormous fossilised skull. It was found in a fossil bed dating back 30-35 million years ago. A Titanothere was a very Rhino-like creature.
Looking over the landscape, we began to think of all the people that came before, looking for a better life. This harsh climate makes even the rocky mountains look shrivelled and dehydrated, were where men risked it all for the possibility of riches.
LEADFIELD GHOST TOWN
Just a short distance away are a few fragments from one of those periods – simply known as Leadfield.
This town sprang up out of nowhere, overnight and became deserted the same way. The lead deposits from which its name came, dried out very quickly. Reports say the leading promoter Charles Julian, who did a fantastic job getting the word out and bringing investors in, was a bit of a con man. This may not be true though!
Julian did build the road into what is now called Titus Canyon. He was ingenious in his wining and dining of investors and bringing this area to the forefront of mining in the time.
However, the big profits never came from the mine shafts. Thus they shut down, and everyone left.
If you would like more information about Leadfield, click here for a very in-depth blog about its history.
Now only a few corrugated shacks stand, gradually rusting away. This is what we find fascinating and haunting about the desert. It’s like landing on an alien planet and finding signs of ancient life, fading quietly under the relentless sun and wind.
After some exploration, we climbed back into Tonto and continued heading along the one-way dirt track.
It becomes apparent that you’re driving in the bottom of a canyon. The walls rise sheerly. Tumbled rocks from past floods lay along the sides of the narrow roadway. It is silent and still.
KLARE SPRINGS
Our next stop was the petroglyphs of Klare Springs. A massive rock next to the road has ancient drawings along it’s face.
Klare Springs is somewhat of a mystery. Even the Native Americans of the area have no record of who carved the symbols.
We are in two minds about these. They are so close to the road, and on an adjacent rock, modern man has graffitied leaving their mark.
Real or not, it is a neat spot where an underground stream rises to the surface for a short distance before submerging again.
The rugged landscape becomes a little softer with lush plant life all along the stream, and bighorn sheep drink from the pool in the morning and evenings.
THE NARROWS OF TITUS CANYON
Now the real fun begins. The canyon narrows and the walls become steeper and sheerer. The track seems to continue into the mountain face with no way out. It is quite the experience.
Along one of the walls, it looks like the rocks have been set in plaster. This is where ancient waters once flowed.
As a caution, take it very slow and keep a lookout for hikers.
It is an incredible drive and sensational escapade that we highly recommend.
our takeaway on titus canyon
We both enjoyed driving through Titus Canyon. We have been talking about it for the longest time and finally got the chance. The scenery is incredible. You see a ghost town, an underground spring which emerges to the surface and some petroglyphs. What more could you ask for?
If you love the mysteries of the desert as much as we do, then this is a must-see. There are also several hikes along the way, although we would recommend them in the colder months as the climate is very harsh in summer.
in a nutshell
- 27-mile one-way track over rugged unmaintained terrain
- Switchbacks and steep grades
- High clearance 4×4 is advisable
- Entrance off of highway 374 from Beatty and Rhyolite Ghost Town
- Remote location seldom patrolled by rangers
- Summer temperatures can soar well over 100 degrees.
- Average time for the journey is 2-3 hours depending on conditions and how long you stop to explore
location map
Explore, have fun and put another Pin in the Atlas
See you on our next adventure
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