Miracle Max Canyon in Death Valley National Park, CA

Canyoneer Miracle Max Canyon Death Valley National Park, CA

Class 2 3A (150 ft max) 9.2 miles 1900 gain 5-7 hrs Loop Feb 26, 2020
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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.

Miracle Max Canyon's four rappels meant a relatively short day of canyoneering, but we were a little nervous because Death Valley has a reputation for using somewhat sketchy anchors and no-bolting ethics. While I've made plenty of cairn anchors, I was concerned there would be more intense anchor-building required, but it ended up being pretty straightforward outing on our visit.

Getting to the trailhead required a drive on good dirt roads to an unmarked parking spot. A desert slog to reach the base of the Cottonwood Mountains. We followed a wash most of the way and then headed up a steep Class 2 ridge heading generally southwest. The ridge mellowed out eventually and although Miracle Max Canyon wasn't in sight yet, the views were getting to be quite nice. The ridge reached a high point before turning south and descending. We dropped off to the right to enter a sandy wash rather than follow the rocky ridgeline. The wash led into the head of Miracle Max Canyon, a couple of short down climbs serving as obstacles. Miracle Max Canyn narrowed up quickly and we encountered the first rappel before we expected to. Four rappels used cairn anchors that we rebuilt, all very close together. It's important to note that there's a chance a flash flood could wash away all significant boulders and creating a cairn anchor would be difficult, so maybe scout ahead to ensure there's ample building materials.

From the bottom of the last rappel, we looked back up and were able to see the last three of the four drops. They formed in such a way to create something that resembled a face when viewed from below. It was hard to see quite how big these drops were in photos, but in real life it was pretty staggering, and really cool. We wrapped around the hills and followed the wash back to the trailhead.

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Heading through the desert to the slope left of center.
Heading through the desert to the slope left of center.
After a fairly long walk, we headed up the Class 2 slope/ridge seen here. Miracle Max Canyon comes down behind the dark hill on the left, not visible until we were halfway up the slope/ridge.
After a fairly long walk, we headed up the Class 2 slope/ridge seen here. Miracle Max Canyon comes down behind the dark hill on the left, not visible until we were halfway up the slope/ridge.
Looking back the way we came as we ascend the slope/ridge.
Looking back the way we came as we ascend the slope/ridge.
Ascending. The drainage on the left is not Miracle Max Canyon.
Ascending. The drainage on the left is not Miracle Max Canyon.
At the top of the steepest section of the ascent. We would continue along this mostly flat section to the top of the small point above Matt. From there, we'd head to the left and drop into Miracle Max Canyon.
At the top of the steepest section of the ascent. We would continue along this mostly flat section to the top of the small point above Matt. From there, we'd head to the left and drop into Miracle Max Canyon.
Close-up into Miracle Max Canyon. We would wrap around the right, out of frame.
Close-up into Miracle Max Canyon. We would wrap around the right, out of frame.
Continuing south along the ridge before we dropped to the right into a sandy wash. You can see the mouth of Miracle Max Canyon on the left.
Continuing south along the ridge before we dropped to the right into a sandy wash. You can see the mouth of Miracle Max Canyon on the left.
After dropping to the right into a sandy wash. We followed this.
After dropping to the right into a sandy wash. We followed this.
The sandy wash narrowed into Miracle Max Canyon.
The sandy wash narrowed into Miracle Max Canyon.
Narrow hairpin turn in Miracle Max Canyon.
Narrow hairpin turn in Miracle Max Canyon.
Gorgeous narrows and lighting.
Gorgeous narrows and lighting.
Image 11 from gallery
Some minor obstacles.
Some minor obstacles.
A shot looking toward the obstacle from the previous photo (center) and the first rappel (right).
A shot looking toward the obstacle from the previous photo (center) and the first rappel (right).
First rappel.
First rappel.
Looking back up the first rappel.
Looking back up the first rappel.
First rappel.
First rappel.
Second rappel.
Second rappel.
Third rappel.
Third rappel.
Third rappel.
Third rappel.
Looking up at the third rappel.
Looking up at the third rappel.
Close-up of Matt on the third rappel.
Close-up of Matt on the third rappel.
Fourth and final rappel.
Fourth and final rappel.
Pulling the rope on the fourth rappel.
Pulling the rope on the fourth rappel.
Bottom of the fourth rappel.
Bottom of the fourth rappel.
Looking back at the rappels. You can see the last three.
Looking back at the rappels. You can see the last three.
Wide shot of the rappels.
Wide shot of the rappels.
We headed down the wash from the mouth of Miracle Max Canyon and wrapped around to the left of the base of the mountains, heading back to the car.
We headed down the wash from the mouth of Miracle Max Canyon and wrapped around to the left of the base of the mountains, heading back to the car.

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