Echo Canyon

Categories: Mountain Biking

Location: Furnace Creek Area

Season: Fall, Spring, Summer, Winter

Intensity: 8

Duration: 6 - 8 hours

Proximity: 16 miles

Directions:
From the Ranch at Furnace Creek, turn right on to Highway 190. Drive about 3 miles from the Ranch, look for a dirt road on the left marked by a small “Echo Canyon” sign a few yards in. Though it is possible to park here and start cycling, it would add another 3 miles traveling up the wash to the mouth of the canyon. Since most passenger cars can handle this section of the road, portage the bikes up to the rough spot of exposed bedrock just below the mouth of the canyon.

Echo Canyon

Season: Fall, Spring, Summer, Winter, Intensity: 8, Duration: 6 - 8 hours, Proximity: 16 miles,Location: Furnace Creek Area

Description

Starting at the rough spot of exposed bedrock below the mouth of the canyon (elevation 1,420’) the road gains about 2,700 feet over 8 miles. Road conditions vary from year to year, but expect many sections to be loose gravel making uphill passage on a bike slow going.

History

The Echo Canyon road was built to service the Inyo Mine where gold was discovered in 1906. The canyon cuts through layers of rock formed from deposits laid down some 500 million years ago when this region was under a Cambrian epoch sea. Uplift from block faulting in the past 3 million years has pushed these layers up to form the Funeral Mountains seen today.

Points of Interest

The canyon begins in about .4 miles from the exposed bedrock starting point. Canyon walls soar up to 400 feet above the road, and, of course, there are many places to create echoes. After about 1.9 miles of cycling, look for a 15 foot high triangular window in the rock wall at a bend in the road. It is called the “Eye of the Needle”. The canyon ends after about 2.6 miles of cycling with the best narrows in the last quarter mile. The next 4.1 miles travels through a broad valley up to the site of Inyo Mine. There are a few side roads: stay to the right on the more traveled road. Due to its higher elevation (about 2,500 feet) more rainfall occurs here and the spring can bring a good flower show. Inyo Mine was part of the Death Valley gold boom in the early 1900’s. Worked periodically up until 1941, it was never a major producer. A few of the camp’s old wooden buildings are still standing. It would be easy to spend all day exploring the old camp and mines. Watch the time. Continuing past Inyo Mine, the road ends in another 1.3 miles. To reach the petroglyphs, hike the next half mile and look for them on east facing rock surfaces, mostly on the south side of the trail. Along the way, it is possible to see fossilized wave ripple marks – evidence that this area, now some 4,000 feet above sea level, was once under water.

Related Resources

Insider Tips

Death Valley is a favorite place among geologists: “No messy biology to interfere with seeing the geology” as one put it. On the Hole in the Wall ride, a huge syncline is easy to see. On this ride, try to find the anticline. Hint – it’s in the last third of the trip, on the left as you go uphill.
Water: During the heat of the summer, drink at least one gallon (4 liters) of water per day to replace loss from perspiration. Carry plenty of extra drinking water in your car.
Heat & Dehydration: If you feel dizzy, nauseous or have a headache, get out of the sun immediately and drink plenty of water. Dampen clothing to lower your body temperature.
Hiking: Do not hike in the low elevations when temperatures are hot. The mountains are cooler in summer, but can have snow and ice in winter.
Summer Driving: Stay on paved roads in summer. If your car breaks down, stay with it until help comes. Be prepared; carry plenty of extra water.
Flash Floods: Avoid canyons during rain storms and be prepared to move to higher ground. While driving, be alert for water running in washes and across road dips.
Cell Phones: Cell phones do not work in most parts of the park, do not depend on them.
Dangerous Animals: Never place your hands or feet where you cannot see first. Rattlesnakes, scorpions or black widow spiders may be sheltered there.