Goler Canyon Road

Total Miles
9.1

Elevation

1,317.98 ft

Duration

1 Hours

Technical Rating

6

Moderate

Best Time

Spring, Fall

Trail Overview

Goler Canyon Road climbs up through Goler Wash from Wingate Road in Panamint Valley to Mengel Pass in the Panamint Range. It is a nine-mile rock road that is straightforward and easy until mile six near the Barker Ranch site and then gets gradually harder as it approaches the pass. In late April 2023 (after being regraded from storm damage incurred in August 2022), the lower 2/3 would rate a two and the short rock garden in the upper 1/3 would rate a six and will require high clearance and 4x4. Without high clearance and 4x4, vehicles approaching through Goler Canyon, will need to turn back towards Panamint Valley after visiting Barker Ranch. Goler Canyon Road crosses into Death Valley National Park and requires that all vehicles comply with National Park rules and regulations.

Photos of Goler Canyon Road

Goler Canyon Road
Goler Canyon Road
Goler Canyon Road

Difficulty

The rock garden at the top of Mengel Pass requires high clearance and 4x4.

Technical Rating

6

Status Reports

Arturo H
Mar 15, 2024
4x4
Open
Normal
32 inch tires, 2.5 inch lift. scrapped underneath on final drop just slightly. Scrapped hitch slightly too. Never used my sliders. 2001 montero limited. Went solo at night, was a tad sketchy on a couple spots but not too bad. Had to get out/walk down trail to gauge lines.
Ashton Fera
Mar 08, 2024
2021 Toyota 4Runner
Open
Dusty
Rough/Deteriorated
The trail starts off easy as you begin to drive through the canyon itself but once you pass Barker Ranch it becomes very rocky until the mengel pass. The pass was very washed out and the corner before the rock drop off would most definitely be the hardest obstacle as it is extremely off camber. We had two rigs in our group. 2021 Toyota 4runner TRD Offroad on 34 inch AT tires and a 2021 Ford F-150 FX4 long bed on 35 inch AT tires. You will want skid plates because many of the rocks going up and down the trail would be tall enough to scrape your undercarriage.
Sarah Kowalski
Feb 17, 2024
4x4
Open
Normal
Trail in good condition. Traveled in Stock ‘98 4Runner on 33” tires and was able to pass through from Ballarat and drop into Butte Valley to visit Warm Springs Camp. We did a turnaround trip. FYI West Side Road in National Park was washed out so plan on a turnaround trip.
Leon Liang
Nov 04, 2023
Obstructed
Washout

Access Description

https://www.nps.gov/deva/planyourvisit/upload/508-Backcountry-and-Wilderness-Access-map_.pdf

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