Why is it called Titus Canyon?
Usa, north-america
42.8 km
6 m
extreme
Year-round
Okay, road trip enthusiasts, listen up! If you're craving a Death Valley adventure, you HAVE to check out Titus Canyon Road. This isn't just any desert drive; it's a 26.6-mile unpaved adventure through the Mojave Desert, straddling the Nevada-California border. Find the entrance off Nevada Highway 374, a couple of miles east of the park boundary. The road is also called Leadfield Road, and Titus Canyon is named after mining engineer Morris Titus, who died prospecting the canyon in 1905.
Fair warning: this is a one-way, well-maintained gravel road, but it gets STEEP and narrow. While 2WD-HC vehicles can usually handle it when dry, there are definitely rocky sections where you'll be glad you have something a bit more rugged.
Keep an eye out for Red Pass, named for its red rocks and dirt! The last 1.5 miles are where things get seriously cool – the canyon walls narrow to less than 20 feet in places. The road briefly leaves the wash here and navigates what is often the roughest part of the entire trip. Before driving it, it is a good idea to check it out first. Inside the canyon, the road is often only about 10 feet wide.
At its highest point, you'll hit 5,213 feet above sea level. The views from up there are epic in both directions, so take a minute to soak it all in! However, remember this road is often closed during winter due to snow, and it's a BIG NO-NO during rain because of extreme flash flood danger. Check with the rangers for current conditions before you head out.
Plan on 2-3 hours of driving time (without stops). Summer travel is not advised. The road is rough, steep, narrow, and not frequently patrolled, but a totally worth while adventure!
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Length
- 42.8 km
- Max Elevation
- 6 m
- Difficulty
- extreme
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