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Spectacular views of the badlands at Zabriskie Point.


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Map Key

1.7

Miles

2.8

KM

Out and Back

919' 280 m

High

681' 208 m

Low

243' 74 m

Up

244' 74 m

Down

5%

Avg Grade (3°)

19%

Max Grade (11°)

Dogs No Dogs

Features Views

Overview

This is not the trail that goes along the base of the canyon, instead it traverses along the top ridge and looks down on the canyon and it looks down on Zabriskie Point. It has impressive views of the badlands.

Need to Know

No exit to the west, don't even think about it - there is a 40 ft fault line (a sheer drop) all along the western end of this trail. You must go back the way you came.

Description

This looks down on Zabriskie Point lookout and the entire badlands. Few hike this trail because it is difficult to get started on the steep and loose sandstone, but once you get past that very first part it is much easier.

To get started - north of the parking lot there is a sign for the 'Golden Canyon' trail, but instead of hiking down the 'Golden Canyon' trail, climb up the sandstone wall that is right there. It takes some climbing, if you look you can see how it can be done, but do it carefully.

Thereafter, the hike has decent trails, but at times it can be on very narrow trails with serious drop offs and stiff winds. Do not attempt to hike to the summit of Manley Beacon.

Contacts

Shared By:

Jim Herzog

Trail Ratings

  4.5 from 11 votes

#2463

Overall
  4.5 from 11 votes
5 Star
64%
4 Star
18%
3 Star
18%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

#312

in California

#2,463

Overall
8 Views Last Month
1,236 Since May 28, 2016
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult

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45%
18%
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Photos

View of Zabiskie Point.
May 31, 2016 near Badwater, CA
View of Manly Beacon from the trail to Red Cathedral Peak.
Nov 21, 2023 near Badwater, CA
Gower Gulch trail
Mar 11, 2021 near Badwater, CA
Zabriskie Point by starlight.
Apr 21, 2016 near Badwater, CA
View of Zabriskie Point.
May 31, 2016 near Badwater, CA
View of Zabriskie Point from the Red Cathedral Canyon Trail.
May 28, 2016 near Badwater, CA

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Weather


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Check-Ins

Nov 21, 2023
Stewart Carnes
Jul 8, 2021
Jay Tate
1h 02m
Mar 10, 2021
Gary L
Zabrisky Point TH to Gower Gulch, over to Golden Canyon, side trail to Red Cathedral, and back to Zabrisky Point. Gorgeous views all around. 7mi — 4h 00m
Jan 19, 2020
Melissa Dalis
Sep 29, 2019
Marcus Kubota
Mar 16, 2019
Aaron Fri
Mar 10, 2019
Christopher Lepore
Dec 23, 2018
Adam Lassak
Crowds on Zabriskie Point left for quite views of badlands. First-ever sighting of prairie falcon on the Cathedral! 2mi
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