Death Valley Trips - Panamint City

We drove out to Death Valley National Park to spend a few days hiking and exploring an old abandoned mining town, Panamint city. After spending the night at the old Chris Wicht camp at the trailhead, we got our backpacks together and headed up Surprise canyon. The surprise is how awesome it is. After awhile the canyon opened up to a wide valley and we arrived at Panamint city. We explored some of the cabins, the smoke stack, and the closest and most recently worked mine. We got back and setup our camp in the "Hilton" cabin where we got to stay for the whole trip.

Chris Wicht camp

Surprise canyon

Surprise canyon

Approaching the city

Panamint city

The "Overflow" cabin

Heading into the mine

Checking out the old smokestack

The next day we set out from the city for a 3000 foot climb to the top of Sentinal peak. We climbed up an old mining road past 2 mines and then followed the ridge line above the upper mine all the way to the summit. It was steep and there was still a bit of snow, but nothing to crazy. The 360 degree views from the summit were absolutely amazing!! On the way back down i decided to explore inside the 2 mines we had passed on the way up. Both were quite deep with lots of cool stuff inside. Then we headed back down for another night in the Hilton cabin.

An old mine

Old mining equipment

On top of Sentinel peak

On top of Sentinel peak

Inside the upper mine

An old ore cart still on the tracks inside the mine

Upper mine entrance

Overlooking the lower mines on the way back down to the city

In the morning after breakfast Chris and Mike packed up their backpacks and hiked out. I had decided to stay a few more days and explore some more. So i decided to head over and check out the "Castle" cabin and then headed up Sourdough canyon. The trail followed up the canyon for awhile then cut out onto the mountainside opening up huge views. It crossed the top of woodpecker canyon and ended near some mining ruins. From there we left the trail and headed cross country out to Peak 8,750'. The peak isn't huge, but it had an incredible panorama with Panamint valley below and Telescope peak above. After the peak we headed back down to the cabins where some other people had showed up to camp. They setup their tent by the "Overflow" cabin and I stayed in the Hilton again. It really is an awesome place to stay!

Morning at the "Hilton" cabin

Sourdough Canyon

Charred ruins of an old miners cabin

Approaching peak 8,750'

Views from Peak 8,750'

Relaxing on the peak

The "Castle" cabin

Night time in the "Hilton"

For my last day of exploring I decided to head up Marvel canyon and it was a great decision. It was a really beautiful canyon and I found 5 more mines, and got to explore inside 3 of them. The 4th was verticle and the 5th was almost completely caved in at the entrance. I found lots of cool quartz crystals too. When we got back to Panamint city I decided to go check out the springs that feeds the water spigot, and i found it plus more old cabins and even a cool old car. The next morning I packed up early and we headed back down Surprise canyon to wrap up another great trip!!

Heading up Marvel canyon

Found the first mine

Entrance of the first mine

Marvel canyon

Entrance to the second mine

Approaching the third mine

Entrance to the third mine

"I'd rather be in Panamint city" car

Upper Panamint city

The last morning at the "Hilton"

Back down in Panamint valley on my way home

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