Coffin Canyon in Death Valley National Park, CA

Canyoneer Coffin Canyon Death Valley National Park, CA

Class 3 3A (190 ft max) 4.2 miles 2100 gain 5-7 hrs Loop Feb 27, 2020
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

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This is a technical canyon. If you are unfamiliar with how to build anchors or the gear required for canyoneering do not attempt this route.

We parked off Badwater Road and headed north to the mouth of Coffin Canyon. A social trail leads up the steep ridge on the right of the mouth of the canyon, following the ridge more or less for the whole approach. There was a short Class 3 section on crumbly rock toward the start, but otherwise we just encountered a lot of Class 2 and 2+ as we headed up the ridge. The views west along the higher points of the ridge were really wonderful, Death Valley and Telescope Peak a pretty incredible contrast. A steep social trail led us down from the ridge and into the head of Coffin Canyon. As we followed the wash into Coffin Canyon, we noted a couple of colorful side canyons that I recommend checking out if you have some free time.

Some interesting eroded rock lined the sides of Coffin Canyon as it began to narrow. We had some fun down climbs (one may need to be rappelled) leading us down the wash. We stumbled onto the 190 foot drop, an incredible canyon view with mountains in the distance and Coffin Canyon continuing away from us among bright yellow rock. We took in the views for a minute and spent some extra time inspecting the anchor for this one. From the base of the big rappel, we continued down canyon, where a few short down climbs, narrow sections, and short rappels kept the canyon entertaining. Some things of interest were a really large chockstone hovering above a rappel, and a somewhat recent rockslide. Coffin Canyon began to open up into a wash, becoming more sandy, and we got to a final, straightforward 80 foot drop. Just after this rappel, Coffin Canyon opened up.

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After parking along Badwater Road, we headed to the mouth of Coffin Canyon, visible left of center.
After parking along Badwater Road, we headed to the mouth of Coffin Canyon, visible left of center.
A social trail leads up to the ridge on the right of the canyon's mouth. A Class 3 section pops in shortly after starting the ridge.
A social trail leads up to the ridge on the right of the canyon's mouth. A Class 3 section pops in shortly after starting the ridge.
Looking back as we ascend the ridge.
Looking back as we ascend the ridge.
Some loose rock on the way up.
Some loose rock on the way up.
And then the ridge becomes easier. Coffin Canyon visible below on the left.
And then the ridge becomes easier. Coffin Canyon visible below on the left.
Looking back as we near the high point of the ridge before we start our descent into the canyon.
Looking back as we near the high point of the ridge before we start our descent into the canyon.
Continuing along the ridge, Coffin Canyon on the left.
Continuing along the ridge, Coffin Canyon on the left.
Looking back along the ridge.
Looking back along the ridge.
A social trail appears as we head down, leading to the minor saddle right of center, below the black blob. he head of Coffin Canyon is visible ahead.
A social trail appears as we head down, leading to the minor saddle right of center, below the black blob. he head of Coffin Canyon is visible ahead.
Entering Coffin Canyon.
Entering Coffin Canyon.
A cute, colorful side-canyon.
A cute, colorful side-canyon.
Within the Coffin Canyon drainage.
Within the Coffin Canyon drainage.
Image 12 from gallery
Image 13 from gallery
Interesting hoodoos within Coffin Canyon.
Interesting hoodoos within Coffin Canyon.
Image 15 from gallery
A small rappel/down climb.
A small rappel/down climb.
Another minor obstacle.
Another minor obstacle.
The big drop.
The big drop.
Image 19 from gallery
Matt heading down the drop.
Matt heading down the drop.
Matt below as I start descending.
Matt below as I start descending.
View back up at the big rappel in Coffin Canyon.
View back up at the big rappel in Coffin Canyon.
Continuing down Coffin Canyon.
Continuing down Coffin Canyon.
A recent-ish rock slide.
A recent-ish rock slide.
Image 25 from gallery
A short rappel.
A short rappel.
Short section of narrows.
Short section of narrows.
A cool chocksotne above a rappel as we exit the short narrows.
A cool chocksotne above a rappel as we exit the short narrows.
Looking back at the chockstone.
Looking back at the chockstone.
The canyon opens up for  awhile.
The canyon opens up for awhile.
Image 31 from gallery
Image 32 from gallery
A short rappel.
A short rappel.
Final rappel, the mouth of Coffin Canyon visible center.
Final rappel, the mouth of Coffin Canyon visible center.
Looking back at the final rappel.
Looking back at the final rappel.
Exiting Coffin Canyon.
Exiting Coffin Canyon.

Hire me or show me some love!

Hire/refer me as a web developer or send me a few bucks if you find my site useful. I’m not sponsored, so all fees are out-of-pocket and my time preparing trip reports is unpaid. I really appreciate it!