Surprise Canyon

Difficulty: strenuous

Type of hike:
wet canyon with remnants of old jeep road, some rock scrambling.

Distance:
5 miles to ghost town

Elevation gain:
4000 feet to ghost town

Water: yes

Start:
6 miles northeast of Ballarat.

Vehicle needed:
high-clearance; 4x4 final 2 miles to trailhead

Maps:
Panamint and Ballarat 7.5 minute topos

Comments:
Old jeep road washed out in 1980s and offically closed to vehicles but makes a great hiking trail. Ghost town of Panamint City is a good goal but mountain scenery, abundant springs and bighorn sheep all make it a worthy hike. Another 7 miles of mostly trailless hiking over pass leads to Johnson Canyon Road.