Jupiter Canyon in Death Valley National Park, CA

Canyoneer Jupiter Canyon Death Valley National Park, CA

Class 3 3A (160 ft max) 3.9 miles 1600 gain 5-7 hrs Loop
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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.

Feb 7, 2026 — Jupiter Canyon is a fantastic little technical canyon formed at the base of Pyramid Peak, with easy access from CA-190 on the way to Furnace Creek. Compared to most canyons in the park, the approach is trivial. After a brief walk up a wash, passing a couple of old mid-1900s vehicles basically buried in the gravel along the way, we continued almost to the mouth of Jupiter Canyon.

Just before entering the mouth, we headed up the slope on the left. The climb involved some straightforward Class 2 scrambling. Near the top of the initial slope, we had to wrap around a ridge on the right before the terrain steepened too much. This led us into an adjacent drainage above a large cliff. From there, some light Class 3 scrambling took us up the drainage to the crest, where we could drop into Jupiter Canyon.

Jupiter Canyon stretched below us while Pyramid Peak stood high above. The upper reaches of the canyon offered a series of fun downclimbs and interesting obstacles, as well as several smaller rappels. The longest rappel (160′) is the most notable obstacle because of its anchor station. Knot blocks set from within a pothole freaked me out, and if I hadn’t been with more experienced anchor builders, I would have opted to combine the two rappels instead. I wasn’t a fan of the more substantial rigging and the tiny anchor points. The rappel itself, however, is excellent, dropping down a sheer face to the wash below.

After a short stretch where the canyon opened up a bit, it soon narrowed again into another section filled with enjoyable obstacles and short drops. Several small challenges and rappels kept the descent engaging, and the tight canyon walls provided plenty of interesting features to look at. As we walked out of Jupiter Canyon, the view widened and Telescope Peak appeared in the distance. We were all really happy with this little outing.

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Walking up the wash, passing some old cars.
Walking up the wash, passing some old cars.
Just before entering the mouth of Jupiter Canyon, we headed up the slope on the left. Pyramid Peak seen top center.
Just before entering the mouth of Jupiter Canyon, we headed up the slope on the left. Pyramid Peak seen top center.
Some Class 2 up the slope.
Some Class 2 up the slope.
View back down toward the mouth of Jupiter Canyon. At the top of the initial slope we had to wrap around a ridge before it got too steep.
View back down toward the mouth of Jupiter Canyon. At the top of the initial slope we had to wrap around a ridge before it got too steep.
After wrapping around the ridge, we entered a drainage with some light Class 3. This led us up to the crest where we'd drop into Jupiter Canyon.
After wrapping around the ridge, we entered a drainage with some light Class 3. This led us up to the crest where we'd drop into Jupiter Canyon.
Jupiter Canyon below. Pyramid Peak above.
Jupiter Canyon below. Pyramid Peak above.
Looking back at the descent from the crest, now at the head of Jupiter Canyon.
Looking back at the descent from the crest, now at the head of Jupiter Canyon.
Rap 1.
Rap 1.
Rap 1.
Rap 1.
Fun downclimbs within the upper reaches of Jupiter Canyon.
Fun downclimbs within the upper reaches of Jupiter Canyon.
View back at the series of interesting downclimbs.
View back at the series of interesting downclimbs.
Rap 2, short.
Rap 2, short.
Rap 3, also short. Can be combined with Rap 4, located just below.
Rap 3, also short. Can be combined with Rap 4, located just below.
Rap 4 (the big guy, 160'), Luke and Luke hanging in a pothole. Anchor seen left. I wouldn't have wanted to rap from these, and if I weren't with the pros, I would have chosen to combine Rap 3 and Rap 4 for a longer rappel.
Rap 4 (the big guy, 160'), Luke and Luke hanging in a pothole. Anchor seen left. I wouldn't have wanted to rap from these, and if I weren't with the pros, I would have chosen to combine Rap 3 and Rap 4 for a longer rappel.
Below Rap 4, looking up at the sheer face.
Below Rap 4, looking up at the sheer face.
Rap 4.
Rap 4.
After opening up for a bit, Jupiter Canyon narrows again into the lower section of fun obstacles.
After opening up for a bit, Jupiter Canyon narrows again into the lower section of fun obstacles.
Rap 5.
Rap 5.
Looking up at Rap 5.
Looking up at Rap 5.
Rap 6 can be easily downclimbed until the last few feet.
Rap 6 can be easily downclimbed until the last few feet.
More short little obstacles between rappels.
More short little obstacles between rappels.
Rap 7.
Rap 7.
Rap 7.
Rap 7.
Top of Rap 8.
Top of Rap 8.
Rap 8 can be avoided down canyon right via a chimney (left in this photo).
Rap 8 can be avoided down canyon right via a chimney (left in this photo).
Jupiter Canyon opens up.
Jupiter Canyon opens up.
Exiting Jupiter Canyon. Telescope Peak seen in the distance.
Exiting Jupiter Canyon. Telescope Peak seen in the distance.

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