Cottonwood-Marble Canyon Loop

Difficulty: strenuous

Type of hike:
walk dirt road; no trail; gravel wash and cross-country; some brushy areas.

Distance:
26 to 30 mile loop

Elevation gain:
3000 feet

Water: yes in upper Cottonwood Canyon and Deadhorse Canyon.

Start:
8 to 10 miles from Stovepipe Wells on Cottonwood Canyon Road

Vehicle needed: high-clearance to canyon mouth; 4x4 beyond

Maps:
East of Sand Flat, Cottonwood Canyon, and Harris Hill 7.5 minute topos

Comments:
Hike the loop by following the main dirt road to its end, then continue up the Cottonwood drainage. Below the spring, trees line a small stream but brush can be thick. In the valley above the spring, hike northeast to cross over into Deadhorse Canyon and follow it down into Marble Canyon to return to your vehicle. Potential flash flood hazard.

Cottonwood & Marble Canyons

For the first 8 miles, the road crosses Mesquite Flat and climbs a ...