Location: East of Hwy 178 and north of Ballarat

Difficulty: Moderate. This trail crosses an alluvial fan and then winds its way up a major canyon which is highly susceptible to erosion. Conditions drastically worsen after each new flash flood. Stay out if rain is predicted.

Features: The end of this trail features an “Adopt-A-Cabin” and an amazingly intact 3-stamp mill at the Corona Mine. Street legal vehicles only in park.

Time & Distance: Once on the trail, allow 3 to 4 hours to get in and back out. The drive is 5.6 miles one way.

To Get There: Drive north from Trona on Hwy 178. Past the turn for Ballarat, continue north on Hwy 178 another 9.2 miles to Indian Ranch Road on the right. If you are coming south from Panamint Springs on Hwy 178, turn left about 0.4 miles south of where the road forks to Wildrose. Head east on Indian Ranch Road 4.1 miles to the trail on the left. From Ballarat, go north on Indian Ranch Road 7.8 miles and turn right.

Trail Description: Head north on a poorly defined road. A sign indicates you are entering Surprise Canyon Wilderness. Enter Death Valley National Park after 2.0 miles. Note huge pices of mining debris on the right at 2.8. The road drops down into a large wash at 3.1 miles then climbs out on the other side. At 3.7 miles the canyon narrows. Stay left at 5.2 miles – the road on the right is closed. At 5.4 miles continue straight where another canyon goes right. Pick your way through various mining debris until you reach the end of the trail at 5.6 miles. Park by the cabin and hike a short distance to the Corona Mine.

Services: Gas available at Trona. No services at Ballarat or along the trail.

Historical Highlights: Originally called the Gem Mine, the Corona Mine saw its heyday in 1899. A flood destroyed most of the mill in 1901. The mill was powered by a water wheel, a first for Death Valley.

admin