Length: 5 miles (8.4km) out and back, round trip. Time: 6 hours round trip. Difficulty: Moderate Elevation Gain: 1,580 ft (482m) Location: An unmarked gravel access road is located on Badwater Road 31.5 miles south of CA-190 between mile markers 31 & 32. The access road is less than 0.5 miles (0.8km) long and is typically passable to a sedan. Parking: Open gravel area large enough for buses and RV's. Same location as Willow Canyon. Closest Restroom: No restrooms nearby. Follow principle 3 of Leave No Trace (LNT). GPS Data: GPS data for the unmarked route is for supplemental purposes only. Take a map and compass when exploring the trail-less wilderness. NPS - Dan Kish Route DescriptionSidewinder Canyon is both physically and mentally a very demanding hike. Climbing over vertical ledges over 6 ft (2m) high and squeezing or crawling into tight spaces 1.5 ft (0.5m) wide is required. There are no signs identifying the parking or the hike. You are entering designated wilderness.Sidewinder Canyon is the large canyon just south of the parking area. Avoid the foothills and narrow canyons just east of the parking area. Instead head uphill directly south around the foothills where it's a left hand turn (east) into Sidewinder Canyon in approximately 1,500 ft (457m). NPS - Dan Kish NPS - Dan kish Crawl into the crack on the lower left where you'll climb up and over a different boulder not yet visible in the picture to the right. Once over the boulder, you will squeeze through a short tight space (1.5ft/0.5m) wide where it may be necessary to remove your pack. Once through the tight space you will be inside slot #1 where this short yet deep canyon becomes so dark that you'll need a headlamp or flashlight. Return to the main canyon via the same route. Total length of Slot#1 is only 0.10 miles (0.16km). NPS - Dan Kish NPS - Dan Kish NPS - Dan Kish NPS - Dan Kish NPS - Dan Kish |
Last updated: February 5, 2024