Death Valley National Park: Eureka Dunes to Last Chance Mountain

Hike north from S. Eureka Road for a moderate climb into the Last Chance Range. Make sure to turn around for views of the 700-foot Eureka Dunes, the highest dunes in California and some of the tallest in the U.S. The route passes another viewpoint that showcases the dunes and the snowy Inyo Range at mile 1.7. One mile later, the terrain flattens briefly between two 4,000-foot foothills, then continues north, following the canyon’s wash. (Keep left at the two forks in the canyon). After 6 miles, turn left onto Big Pine Road and follow it to Crater Mine. Just past the mine, hikers can set up camp off the dirt road on a flat area near the pass. Pick a spot with protection—this area can get very cold and windy.
The next day, follow the dirt road until it dead ends into the mountains. From here, you’ll scramble up a steep, dirt slope to the first saddle in Last Chance Range. From the saddle, follow the ridgeline over 4 unnamed peaks to Last Chance Mountain. Route-finding will be necessary for this stretch to Last Chance Mountain—there is no trail and the terrain is extremely rugged. From the top of 8,456-foot Last Chance Mountain, savor views into the Last Chance Range, then turn around and follow the same route back to Eureka Dunes.
Note: Route-finding skills are required for this route.

-Mapped by Roger Homrich, the first person to thru-hike Death Valley Traverse.

Trail Facts

• Distance: 23.1

Waypoints

EDL001

Location: 37.1149178, -117.6644325

Hike north from S. Eureka Road. Make sure to turn around for views of the 700-foot Eureka Dunes, the highest dunes in California and some of the tallest in the U.S.

EDL002

Location: 37.139167, -117.6716757

Take a moment to stop and look around at this overlook, which showcases the dunes below and the snowy Inyo Range. Continue north-northwest through the narrow valley between the foothills.

EDL003

Location: 37.1514633, -117.6782539

After climbing another 400 feet, rest at this open, flat area between two 4,000-foot foothills. Continue north through the canyon, following the wash. The canyon walls are a few hundred feet higher than the wash.

EDL004

Location: 37.1721031, -117.6719435

Bear left at an intersection between two canyon washes. Continue three-quarters of a mile over gravel, passing beautifully colored canyon walls before reaching another fork in the canyon.

EDL005

Location: 37.1857649, -117.6748443

Bear left at the second fork in the canyon. Once the canyon opens, continue northwest to Big Pine Road.

EDL006

Location: 37.1925223, -117.680448

Follow Big Pine Road to the left and continue westward to Crater Mine.

EDL007

Location: 37.2117204, -117.6909214

After bearing left onto Big Pine Road, turn right and continue north past the mining area.

EDL008

Location: 37.2202135, -117.6841736

Camp off the dirt road on a flat area near the pass. Pick a spot with protection because this area can get very cold and windy. From camp, follow the dirt road until it dead ends into the mountains. A mineshaft is at the end of the road. Route-finding will be necessary for the remaining stretch to Last Chance Mountain (there is no trail and the terrain is extremely rugged).

EDL010

Location: 37.2589589, -117.6814071

Scramble up a steep, dirt slope to the first saddle in Last Chance Range. From the saddle, hike the ridgeline over 4 unnamed peaks to Last Chance Mountain. Head northwest to the first peak (7,853 feet). Go north-northwest to the second peak (7,978 feet). Continue northwest to the third peak (8,250 feet). Then, head due north and turn east, skirting the ridgeline around the fourth peak (8,211 feet). Hike north, then northwest along the ridge to the summit of Last Chance Mountain (8,456 feet).

EDL011

Location: 37.2801412, -117.6998083

Last Chance Mountain (8,456 ft.): Savor views from the trip’s high point, then turn around and follow the same route back to Eureka Dunes.

Eureka Dunes

Location: 37.114336, -117.6608276

©Roger Homrich

Crater Mine

Location: 37.2116695, -117.6899242

©Roger Homrich