Trail Overview
The Escape Trail offers offroaders a historic route through the Slate Range, ideal for those seeking a remote and scenic entry into Death Valley National Park. Spanning approximately 8.4 miles from west to east, this trail provides spectacular desert vistas as it climbs through rugged terrain from a starting point about 8 miles north of the Trona Pinnacles. The route winds through the Slate Range to its highest point at Manly Pass, reaching an elevation of 3,061 feet, before dropping down into Fish Canyon at the southern end of the Panamint Valley. Drivers will encounter a variety of terrain, dominated by hard-pack dirt but interspersed with sandy washes, narrow spines, and a cross-grained descent across an alluvial fan.
Earning a technical rating of 4, the trail features steep to very steep climbs and descents on loose soil that demand a high-clearance four-wheel-drive vehicle. This route is steeped in pioneer history, tracing the grueling 1850 escape path of the Arcan and Bennett party, who abandoned their wagons to flee Death Valley on foot—a journey that ultimately named the valley when they looked back from the summit. For an optimal day trip, start by watching the sunrise at the Trona Pinnacles, top off fuel in Trona, and traverse the trail into Panamint Valley, where options await to head north to Ballarat or continue east into Goler Wash.
Difficulty
This trail has steep to very steep climbs and descents that are often very loose. You will traverse and cross some washes and drive along narrow spines and ridgelines. This is a remote route; while trafficked, it is relatively infrequent.
History
In February 1850, the Arcan and Bennett party, led by William Manly and John Rogers, abandoned their wagons and set out on foot along this route to escape Death Valley. Along the way in the canyon now named Fish Canyon, they found the deceased Father Fish. Upon reaching the summit, a member of the party looked back and said, "So long, Death Valley," giving the valley its permanent name.
