
Where is Lemoigne Canyon Road?
Usa, north-america
9.7 km
N/A
extreme
Year-round
Okay, buckle up, adventure-seekers! I'm talking about Lemoigne Canyon Road, deep in Death Valley National Park in eastern-central California. This ain't your average Sunday drive!
First off, you're gonna need a serious 4x4 with high clearance. Seriously. This 4.2-mile stretch is infamous for its massive washouts, relentless rocks, and generally unforgiving terrain. We're talking ruts, gullies, the whole shebang. Trust me, you'll be crawling along.
The road starts off Highway 178, about 6 miles south of Stovepipe Wells. You'll eventually reach a barrier after about 4.2 miles, but parking or camping spots will appear before then. Don't even THINK about trying to take your standard car past the barrier!
Expect a slow crawl – think a few hours to conquer this 4.2-mile beast. But, despite the bone-jarring ride, you’ll find yourself surrounded by stark, beautiful desert scenery, so it's worth the trek. The canyon itself, named after a French mining engineer, is steeped in history (lead-zinc-silver deposits, anyone?). Beyond the barrier, the old road transforms into a hiking trail leading further into the canyon, where you can explore on foot. Just remember to be prepared for a serious challenge!
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Length
- 9.7 km
- Difficulty
- extreme
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