Panamint City via Surprise Canyon in Death Valley National Park, CA

Hike Panamint City via Surprise Canyon Death Valley National Park, CA

Class 2 10.5 miles 3900 gain 6-8 hrs Out + Back Mar 21, 2018
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

Panamint City via Surprise Canyon GPX Track

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Panamint City has been on my to-do list forever, so Josh and I finally went out to check out the ghost town tucked away in Death Valley National Park, at the head of Surprise Canyon. The lush canyon with lots of flowing water was a great introduction, but a long stretch of wide and boring wash got tedious. Though, the final destination of Panamint City made it totally worth it. An open mine, two historic cabins that seem to have attained a fairly serious backpacker culture, and other abandoned miner debris is scattered around, as well as of course the famous brick smokestack.

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Ruins at the trailhead, just before entering Surprise Canyon.
Ruins at the trailhead, just before entering Surprise Canyon.
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Surprise Canyon begins to narrow.
Surprise Canyon begins to narrow.
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Surprise Canyon then opens up and stays wide until you get all the way to Panamint City.
Surprise Canyon then opens up and stays wide until you get all the way to Panamint City.
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An interesting section of greenery. The waterway paved the trail to get through the brush unscathed.
An interesting section of greenery. The waterway paved the trail to get through the brush unscathed.
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Panamint City ahead!
Panamint City ahead!
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The Panamint City smokestack.
The Panamint City smokestack.
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Josh in front of the cabin backpackers have called "The Hilton".
Josh in front of the cabin backpackers have called "The Hilton".
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The Hilton.
The Hilton.
Looking toward the smokestack and The Hilton.
Looking toward the smokestack and The Hilton.
Overflow cabin.
Overflow cabin.
Historic remains in the overflow cabin.
Historic remains in the overflow cabin.

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!