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Though Mosaic Canyon is not a true slot canyon, there are some similarities. The action of water over tens of thousands of years has cut through and polished the solid rock walls into a surface resembling fine marble. Scenes of polished rock recall images of what you’d like to see in the ultimate elaborate marble bathroom or natural swimming pool. In places, there are large polished walls of composite rock forming countless wonderful unique mosaic patterns.
Anniversary Narrows in the Muddy Mountains just outside Las Vegas is an even more elaborate marble surfaced slot canyon. Another great, somewhat hidden slot canyon is Harris Springs Canyon, though its walls are composed of unpolished composite rock. More similar, and in the Death Valley area is another small, hidden wash with marble-like walls just below Zabriskie Point. There are many more similar canyons in the wilderness areas surrounding Las Vegas and eventually we will document more of them.
The best time of year to experience Mosaic Canyon is Fall through Spring, as Summer temperatures can rise above 120 degrees.
From Las Vegas take Hyw 95 North to Beatty, Nevada. At Beatty Nevada take Hwy 394 (Daylight Pass Road) to Scotty’s Castle Road. Turn left on Scotty’s Castle Road. Turn right again on Hwy 190 to Stovepipe Wells. Just beyond Stovepipe Wells turn left onto the unpaved road that leads to the Mosaic Canyon parking area.
On this day, I begin at the village of Stovepipe Wells just a few miles below the Mosaic Canyon trailhead. Run-walking those few miles and 800ft ascent to the Mosaic Canyon Trailhead does involve eating a bit of dust from the passing vehicles. However, I found that most vehicles politely slow down near me to minimize the dust. The approach road is good for most 2WD vehicles with decent engines. Even my Smart Car could have managed the Mosaic Canyon approach road, but I wanted to give my car a rest after Darwin Falls Road and I also wanted to experience the wonder of spectacular scenes of North, West and East Death Valley opening up below more expansively with every step along the way.
Mosaic Canyon Trailhead has ample parking for around 30-40 vehicles if you count parking along the approach road just below the trailhead. And, on some days Fall through Spring, all the parking spots are taken!
Above the trailhead there is a wider section of canyon to traverse for a few hundred feet before the canyon dramatically narrows and the surrounding walls begin to resemble polished marble and polished mosaic desert composite rock. This area forms what is referred to as an alluvial fan formed by rock that is washed down through mountain canyons over tens of thousands of years. As you observe Death Valley from various vantage points you can easily see where canyons exist in the surrounding mountains by watching for the presence of alluvial fans.
Each alluvial fan marks the lower opening of a mountain canyon. One could explore all of these canyons by ascending the alluvial fans. Where the floor of these canyons becomes difficult to navigate one could ascend the right or left canyon ridge and proceed upward on the ridge which is usually easier to navigate than the canyon wash below. However, watch for sharp and dangerous drop-offs.
Actually, Mosaic Canyon’s alluvial fan begins below Stovepipe Wells and ascends a total of 1,000 feet or more from the desert floor to the canyon opening.
Mosaic Canyon itself is pretty easy to navigate, and the most beautiful marble-like features are in the first 1/4 – 1/2 mile before the canyon opens up and begins to resemble many other desert canyons. If you continue up Mosaic Canyon beyond the lower beautiful polished area you will eventually reach a high wall blocking further easy ascent. On this day I did not go beyond the initial 1/2 mile stretch of canyon.
So, if you were to drive up Mosaic Canyon approach road to the trailhead, then walk through the most beautiful stretch of canyon, it would be an easy 1-mile round trip walk packed with spectacular beauty. There are a few spots that would require a bit of scrambling up smooth marble-like sections, so this is definitely not a wheel chair accessible route. On the other hand, it’s manageable by many ambulatory people in good health. Just turn around when you hit a section too difficult to navigate. You will still experience a lot of beauty!
The surrounding beauty in this lower stretch of canyon defies further description, so watch the slide show and video on this page to get an idea of the amazing features you will experience in Mosaic Canyon.
David Smith has devoted the better part of one day each week over the past 20 years to experiencing a mountain trail running adventure. He began in the Pacific Northwest with the Columbia Gorge and Cascade Mountains; then moved to Southern California and experienced the Angeles Crest mountains; then the Northeast where he experienced the Hudson River Valley and Minnewaska; finally in 2016 to Las Vegas where he is experiencing and documenting Red Rock Canyon, the Spring Mountains (Mt. Charleston area), Death Valley and beyond!
Return often to experience one new adventure each week! From the home page scroll to “Most Recent Adventures“. More about David Smith…
The trail adventures on this website require proper conditioning, preparation and safety precautions. There are many factors beyond our control including weather conditions, unstable ground, loose rocks, insects and snakes, people you may encounter, your own level of physical conditioning, the potential of getting lost just to mention a few. While this site offers guidance, helpful tips, direction and training, the reader assumes full responsibility for whatever may occur during their trail adventure. Have fun and be safe!
