A nice approach through a beautiful Blue Canyon. When you reach the Saddle at the top you have amazing views on both sides of the ridge. Red Cathedral and Zabriskie point North-East and Badwater Basin and Panamint mountains to the East.
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The Hype
Getting There
From the 190 and Badwater Rd. junction in Death Valley (36.4484, -116.8528), drive South for about 3.9 miles. Park on the East side of the road (36.4122, -116.8456).
The Canyon - Rating: 3A G III Longest Rap: 35' # of Raps: 4-5
Walk East on the North side of Gower Gulch into the canyon bypassing the lower waterfall on the left (North).
After about 1 mile (36.4170, -116.8342)you will be leaving the beaten tourist path and get into a less visited canyon which I called “Blue Canyon” (.8 mile). This is just to add beauty to the approach. Otherwise you can stay in Gower Gulch for another .45 mile. Either way you’ll end up getting into another nameless canyon (36.4164, -116.8269).
When you hit the saddle at the top of Blue Canyon, you will see 2 scree slopes to go down the other side. Pink and Blue. I think that the Blue (right) side is easier but our group did both.
While descending you will encounter a couple of gated mines and a mysterious white rock pile.
At the bottom you will turn Right (East) into another nameless canyon which now takes you up to the saddle atop Sayarim Canyon (.75 mile). On your way you will encounter one sketchy scree climb. Go up the scree and traverse left towards the wall. Watch your step and those under you.
From the saddle it’s 1.3 miles straight down the canyon to the car, passing 5 waterfalls (6 if we count the small easy down-climb before the first waterfall).
Waterfalls:
Number Tiers Total height Anchor (looking down stream) Gear
1 3 35’ R - Loop around a leaning rock 10-15’ Webbing or rope
2 2 25’ L - Loop around rock 5-10’ Webbing or rope
3 1 25’ C - Loop around large boulder 5-10’ Webbing or rope
4 1 20’ N/A Down-climb N/A
5 1 30’ L - Loop around 2 large boulders 10-15’ Webbing or rope
Waterfall notes:
1. Though the anchor is at the top, we down-climbed the top tier and rappelled from there.
4. Confident canyoneers/climbers can down-climb. I had the group rappel and then down-climbed.The Exit
From the bottom of the last rappel it’s a short walk back to the car.
From the 190 and Badwater Rd. junction in Death Valley (36.4484, -116.8528), drive South for about 3.9 miles. Park on the East side of the road (36.4122, -116.8456).
Walk East on the North side of Gower Gulch into the canyon bypassing the lower waterfall on the left (North).
After about 1 mile (36.4170, -116.8342)you will be leaving the beaten tourist path and get into a less visited canyon which I called “Blue Canyon” (.8 mile). This is just to add beauty to the approach. Otherwise you can stay in Gower Gulch for another .45 mile. Either way you’ll end up getting into another nameless canyon (36.4164, -116.8269).
When you hit the saddle at the top of Blue Canyon, you will see 2 scree slopes to go down the other side. Pink and Blue. I think that the Blue (right) side is easier but our group did both.
While descending you will encounter a couple of gated mines and a mysterious white rock pile.
At the bottom you will turn Right (East) into another nameless canyon which now takes you up to the saddle atop Sayarim Canyon (.75 mile). On your way you will encounter one sketchy scree climb. Go up the scree and traverse left towards the wall. Watch your step and those under you.
From the saddle it’s 1.3 miles straight down the canyon to the car, passing 5 waterfalls (6 if we count the small easy down-climb before the first waterfall).
Waterfalls:
Number Tiers Total height Anchor (looking down stream) Gear
1 3 35’ R - Loop around a leaning rock 10-15’ Webbing or rope
2 2 25’ L - Loop around rock 5-10’ Webbing or rope
3 1 25’ C - Loop around large boulder 5-10’ Webbing or rope
4 1 20’ N/A Down-climb N/A
5 1 30’ L - Loop around 2 large boulders 10-15’ Webbing or rope
Waterfall notes:
1. Though the anchor is at the top, we down-climbed the top tier and rappelled from there.
4. Confident canyoneers/climbers can down-climb. I had the group rappel and then down-climbed.From the bottom of the last rappel it’s a short walk back to the car.
Condition Reports for Sayarim Canyon
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