DAY TRIP: Death Valley Deadman Pass Lost Section and Owl Spring
This beautiful spring weather is a fantastic reason to get out and explore parts of Death Valley which would be too dangerous with toddlers in the summer months.
This trip we headed out to the remaining areas of the park that are known to be the most lonely that is remote and hardly ever frequented. Deadman Pass and Lost Section Rd, then we headed south to Little Dumont, up Harry Wade Rd to Owl Hole Spring Camp, Black Magic Mine and the remote abandoned military radio tower/repeater at the end of Owl Hole Spring Rd.
334 miles covered with 171 miles off pavement.
Finding the trailhead was easier said than done, there is a network of criss crossing streets at the former townsite of Greenwater Canyon where the clearings that used to be streets are now blending into the desert landscape.
Boys are checking out the USGS marker at the top of the pass. Driving up the pass was smooth and fast 35-40mph with occasional slow downs for ruts.
Deadman Pass USGS marker, very smooth and gradual pass, not quite as exciting as it sounds.
We made it to Furnace Creek Wash Rd, turned north and then west onto Lost Section Rd. This is the water tank and trough at the beginning.
Second half of the road consisted of miles of dips that had to be navigated at 5mph, was a fun drive once in a while but not enjoyable.
Inside the toppled water tank.
End of the line for the main drag of Lost Section Rd.
Looking the other direction from Willow Spring.
Just past the rocks at the end of the road there are remnants of a mining operation.
More mining equipment debris.
Man made wall and a flat area with steps which was likely to have been the foundation of a house in the area.
Loos rocks that fell off due to erosion were reconstructed into a fire pit by visitors. Very pleasant area with wind protection, shade and seclusion.
Desert road sign, we turned around and headed back to Furnace Creek Wash and explored a spur trail that reconnects. It lead to a mine and had a killer narrow cutout climb up and then back down a 4ft high waterfall that only left 1-3" on either side of the Sub. I didn't take any pictures but will let others explore that little gem on their own.
Harry Wade Exit memorial plaque. This was by far the easiest route of any of the other 49ers.
We headed north on Harry Wade Rd to the intersection of Owl Hole Spring Rd where we turned west and headed to one of the least frequently visited spots in the park.
Owl Hole Spring Camp, this was the home base for New Deal Mine just up the road and Black Magic Mine 3 miles up the road.
Upper Spring pool.
Both the pools. At one point BLM created a burro coral around the pools to trap the burro that have been overpopulated in the area and transplant them elsewhere but there are no remains of the coral left on site.
View looking down at the Spring.
Burros leaving the Owl Hole Spring as we arrived.
Unknown structure.
Boys wasted no time getting dirty and exploring.
Structure at the top of the spring.
Building foundation.
Vintage Coors can.
I always see cans and cans laying around every mining operation and always was intrigued by why they are scattered around and were not thrown away or recycled. PENZOIL SAE 10 on this can and there were numerous SAE 80 cans. Oil cans are dirty and they were thrown away so they do not contaminate other food grade cans which are much easier to clean.
We did not explore New Deal Mine because the boys were getting tired and I did not particularly want to hike in the desert by myself with two toddlers, next time I am in the area I will make it out with them to the mine and abandoned excavator.
Adventure continues in part two with Black Magic mine, Microwave Rd and the end of Owl Hole Spring Rd.
Stay tuned for more shenanigans!
