Darwin Falls and Canyon in Death Valley National Park, CA

Canyoneer Darwin Falls and Canyon Death Valley National Park, CA

Class 3 3B I (80 ft max) 2.9 miles 700 gain 2-4 hrs Out + Back Mar 21, 2018
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

Darwin Falls and Canyon GPX Track

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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.

Finding water sources in the desert is a pretty surreal experience, especially somewhere as dry as Death Valley National Park. Follow a sandy, wide canyon trail into a narrower canyon that leads to Darwin Falls. To the left of the falls, a scramble leads to above the falls. Find a way back into the canyon and scramble to the north in a dirty gully to get just above the Upper Darwin Falls. We went farther up the canyon trying to get to China Garden Spring, but after the prettiest parts of the canyon stopped and we were bushwhacking, we turned back and did the rappel with daylight. Obviously, since we came up the canyon without doing more than Class 3, we could have gone back down, but the upper falls rappel was one of my favorite rappels to date: the falls curve in such a way that you are staring directly at the flowing water as you descend. You can find a natural anchor on the south side of the canyon around a boulder. I didn't take shots during the rappel, so I'll leave the surprise for when you go. Incredibly beautiful.

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Starting up the wash from the Darwin Falls parking lot.
Starting up the wash from the Darwin Falls parking lot.
Image 1 from gallery
Entering the lush section before getting to Lower Darwin Falls.
Entering the lush section before getting to Lower Darwin Falls.
Image 3 from gallery
Lower Darwin Falls.
Lower Darwin Falls.
Lower Darwin Falls below on the right (you can see people viewing it). We went up a scramble to its left.
Lower Darwin Falls below on the right (you can see people viewing it). We went up a scramble to its left.
Looking back down the canyon, Lower Darwin Falls somewhere below on the left in this photo.
Looking back down the canyon, Lower Darwin Falls somewhere below on the left in this photo.
Class 2/3 scrambles above Darwin Falls. I recommend heading down as soon as you can to end up just above Lower Darwin Falls. Although you could stay high and a route will take you above the Upper Darwin Falls, it becomes low Class 4, and it's fun but unnec
Class 2/3 scrambles above Darwin Falls. I recommend heading down as soon as you can to end up just above Lower Darwin Falls. Although you could stay high and a route will take you above the Upper Darwin Falls, it becomes low Class 4, and it's fun but unnec
Past Upper Darwin Falls heading farther up the canyon.
Past Upper Darwin Falls heading farther up the canyon.
Another little waterfall along the way.
Another little waterfall along the way.
Image 10 from gallery
Image 11 from gallery
Beautiful scenery up here.
Beautiful scenery up here.
Avoiding a mucky section.
Avoiding a mucky section.
Image 14 from gallery
Getting to the bushwhacking section where the interesting stuff seemed to end. We turned around here.
Getting to the bushwhacking section where the interesting stuff seemed to end. We turned around here.
Heading back and approaching the rappel down Upper Darwin Falls.
Heading back and approaching the rappel down Upper Darwin Falls.
Looking down Upper Darwin Falls. There was webbing set up on the south side of the canyon, not where this photo was taken.
Looking down Upper Darwin Falls. There was webbing set up on the south side of the canyon, not where this photo was taken.
Josh rappeling.
Josh rappeling.
Close-up of the Darwin Falls rappel.
Close-up of the Darwin Falls rappel.
Looking back at Upper Darwin Falls, the swimmer at the bottom in this photo.
Looking back at Upper Darwin Falls, the swimmer at the bottom in this photo.
Heading out of the Darwin Falls rappel area. There is a swimmer to get out.
Heading out of the Darwin Falls rappel area. There is a swimmer to get out.
Continuing past Upper Darwin Falls, headed down the canyon. You could rappel down Lower Darwin Falls, but it didn't look too appealing. We just scrambled back up and over the way we had come.
Continuing past Upper Darwin Falls, headed down the canyon. You could rappel down Lower Darwin Falls, but it didn't look too appealing. We just scrambled back up and over the way we had come.
2012: First visit to Darwin Falls.
2012: First visit to Darwin Falls.
2012: First visit to Darwin Falls.
2012: First visit to Darwin Falls.

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!