| Summary: |
A very pretty canyon with
multiple fun climbing challenges located just
east of Stovepipe Wells Village and Mosaic
Canyon. |
| Directions: |
Drive
west on CA 190 about 2.5 miles
from Stovepipe Wells Village (just outside of
the sand dune viewing area) to a somewhat faint
dirt road leading up towards Tucki Mountain to
the south. The road heads up the hill for 1 mile
before dropping into the wash of Grotto Canyon
(be careful not to get stuck in the deep
gravel). I drove another 0.5 miles up the wash
and parked, though if you're truly lazy you can
drive another 0.5 mile right to the start of the
narrows. |
| Road Conditions: |
High Clearance Vehicle |
| Navigation: |
Easy |
| Length: |
3 - 5 hours |
| Date Hiked: |
November 2004 |
| Weather Conditions: |
Cool and sunny |
|
Required Skills: |
 |
| Hike Description: |
From wherever you parked,
walk up to the start of the narrows and your
first climb, a 15 foot somewhat smooth
slope, followed by a 10 foot falls with an
undercut lip (a little tricky). Just beyond are
some nice narrows which soon end at a 50
foot dry fall. Retrace your steps and look for a
fairly well traveled route around this obstacle
on canyon right (the right side of the canyon
when facing down stream). More nice narrows in
polished gray rock and more climbs may be found
above, until you
reach a 15 foot drop formed by a large chock
stone wedged in the canyon. Good climbers can
climb up just to the right (facing up canyon) of
the chock stone. The canyon forks above this
climb. The left fork soon ends in a 40 foot dry
fall, which can be bypassed with a lot of hassle
on the right. But it's not worth it since you'll
be faced with more falls immediately above. The
right fork ascends through more shallow narrows
up a series of fun little climbs, one of which
will eventually block your progress. Return the
way you came. |
| Rating (1-5 stars): |
The author and his wife
completed the hike above, exploring up each fork
of Grotto Canyon as far as we could and back in
3.5 hours. |
|
Maps: |
Trails Illustrated - Death
Valley National Park |
| Photos: |
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