Yucca Peak
(Desert National Wildlife Refuge)
Yucca Peak - Starting from the trailhead located 9 miles up Mormon Well Road from the DNWR visitor center, the hike crosses the wide wash to gain a ridge that leads up to the peak. Along the way, there are many small fossils in the limestone. The return scrambles down the wash to the north where a rope might be useful. Totals for the strenuous climb are 4.5 miles with 2300 feet of elevation gain.
Yucca Peak Fossil Beds
(Desert National Wildlife Refuge)
Yucca Peak Fossil Beds - Within the limestone of the small ridge below Yucca Peak lies multiple small seabed fossils. Without too much hiking effort, a morning could be spent searching among the rocks. For an interesting return, climb up the ridge to the saddle and drop down to the right into a wash. The wash has two dry falls that might need a rope to assist. On the way back down the road, stop at the northeast end of Fossil Ridge to see the snail fossils. The leisurely hike is 3.5 miles with around 1000 feet elevation gain.
Zabriskie Loop
(Death Valley NP)
Zabriskie Loop - This moderately strenuous loop hike is an extended variation of the Golden Canyon / Gower Gulch loop. Instead of starting at the Golden Canyon Trailhead, it begins at the Zabriskie Point Trailhead, descends down Gower Gulch then ascends up through Golden Canyon on the return. Be sure to take in the Red Cathedral spur trail out and back before you turn right to go under Manly Beacon. After the beacon, turn to the left and return to the trailhead. This hike is best done in the winter or early spring months. It is 8 miles with 1750 feet of elevation gain.
