Manly Beacon via Golden Canyon Trail
1.9 mi
Distance
1 hrs 7 min
Time
terrain
318 ft
Elev Gain
Overview
This is a easy out and back trail to Red Cathedral Junction in Death Valley National Park.
This trail goes by Manly Beacon and Golden Canyon Trailhead.
Rate this Hike
★★★★★
Solo Hiked Thurs 12/05/24 – Did the loop counter-clockwise to leave the trail early and climb Manly Beacon which was short but still quite exhilarating. The somewhat steep route up Manly’s northeast spine was straight forward on the ascent but must there is one steeper pitched 15 foot section just below the summit that must be carefully down climbed. There are a few small rocks sticking out from Manly’s tuffaceous sandstone in this section that can be used as holds, some of them encased more firmly in the sandstone than others. It’s definitely a no slide/fall zone that can’t be protected so worth a quick hold test/descent plan on the way up. The views from the Manly summit were easily worth the trip up, especially those of Golden Canyon, Red Cathedral and Middle Basin. Taking the Golden Canyon Trail down to Middle Basin in perfect weather was more like a nice, very scenic walk while going back up Gower Gulch felt more like a hike. Gower starts off as a narrow slotted wash but quickly opens up to a wider canyon drainage with great surrounding views. Highly recommend the loop trail for a short hike that most everyone would enjoy. The Badlands Loop offers an even shorter version of this hike for families with kids on the younger side. Definitely would bail on climbing Manly Beacon if rain’s in the forecast! Logged 8.7 miles / 1408 vertical ft with Gaia.
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