Canyoneering Route Description

Styx Canyon - 3A III
Death Valley National Park, California.

Quick Facts

03-08-08, 6 people, 1 Day (Travel time in route 8.9 hours) - South Fork
12-26-10, 6 people, 1 Day (Travel time in route 9.75 hours) - South Fork
01-22-11, 8 people, 1 Day (Travel time in route 10 hours) - North Fork
12-08-12, 8 people, 1 Day (Travel time in route 9.5 hours) - North Fork 

North Fork
Time Required - 9 to 11 hours
Distance - 6.4 miles Total, 4.4 miles Technical
Rappels - 16 Rappels, Longest Rappel 105 feet.
Elevation Range - 5280 - -170 below sea level
Shuttle Required -Yes 44.1 miles all pavement  Vehicle - Passenger Permit Required- No

South Fork
Time Required - 9 to 10 hours
Distance - 7.5 miles Total, 4.5 miles Technical
Rappels - 14 Rappels, Longest Rappel 100 feet.  One of these raps is in the upper Coffin Canyon as part of the approach.
Elevation Range - 5170 - -170 below sea level
Shuttle Required -Yes 44.1 miles all pavement  Vehicle - Passenger Permit Required- No

Gear Used for Canyon

Rappelling and anchor gear, Ropes and or pull cords for rappels up to 105 feet in the North Fork or 100 feet in the South Fork and 100 feet of 1 inch webbing for sling placement.

General Comments

ATTENTION!!
Death Valley is considering a new permit system in response to the impact of the growing popularity of Canyoneering.
Lets continue to show the park just how respectful we can be to our environment.

Specific issues the park is concerned about:
1. Anchors: Bolting is Illegal in Death Valley National Park! Do Not Add Bolts. Natural anchor options are abundant.
Recent illegal bolts have popped up in Helios and Rainbow Canyons.
2. Poop: Dig a cathole at least 6 inches deep and 200 yards from any water source or campsite. Pack out all toilet paper.
3. Collecting fire wood is illegal, just don't do it!

Other basics:
Avoid walking in water when possible (Willow Canyon, etc). Hike on durable surfaces and previously worn paths (avoid trampling vegetation or fragile soil crusts). Pack out all trash including organic material (including seed shells, apple cores, orange peels, etc). More info can be found here: http://www.nps.gov/deva/planyourvisit/backcamp.htm

Lets keep this wonderful resource pristine so that we may continue to enjoy the canyons with limited regulations!

The approach to the South for of Styx drops down Upper Coffin Canyon involving one rappel then a long walk down part of the wide open Coffin Wash before getting to the head of the canyon.  The South Fork has 4 rappels before reaching the confluence of the North and South Forks.

The approach to the North Fork uses a portion of the Cerberus approach following a ridgeline down to the head of the canyon.  The North Fork has 7 rappels before reaching the confluence of the North and South Forks.

Of the two forks I prefer the North Fork since the approach is short and sweet and it has a few more raps in quick succession.  Both forks are fun and are both worth visiting.

The main canyon below the confluence is scenic and offers a moderate amount of down climbing.  A couple of those down climbs can be challenging and add to the fun.

The final rap in Styx drops under a huge boulder balanced across the canyon walls at the top of the rap.  This huge boulder is the one feature that will stick in your memory long after you have exited the canyon.  The boulder is the size of a small house and has no ground directly below it which makes for a great group picture of everyone on top of it.  You will also pass down from above sea level to below sea level on the final rap.

Driving Directions

To get to the Trailhead

The trailhead starts at the bathrooms about 0.5 road miles below Dante's View parking area.  From the junction of highways 178 (Bad Water Road) and 190, drive east on highway 190 about 10.7 miles to the turn off for Dante's View.  Follow the signs to Dante's View and drive 12.5 miles on paved road until you come to a set of bathrooms on the left (southwest) side of the road.  These bathrooms sit all by themselves and make a good landmark for the trailhead.  Park your vehicle anywhere off the road.  Note you are only 0.5 miles from Dante's View.  If your trip is planned with a little extra time it is worth the view to make a quick stop at the view to look over the Death Valley area from this high up.

To leave the Exit Vehicle / Escape Pod

Parking an exit vehicle is necessary.  From the junction of highways 178 (Bad Water Road) and 190, drive south on highway 178 about 16.5 miles to Bad Water.  From Bad Water continue south on highway 178 another 4.4 miles.  There is no particular spot to park, just pull over to the side of the road where it looks like it would be safe to leave your vehicle.  The exit point of Styx Canyon is 0.5 miles north east of the parking spot on a bearing of 50°.  Leave a vehicle here as the escape pod.

Maps

GPS coordinate information listed at the bottom.  For information about waypoint naming and map symbols, refer to the Glossary page.

Click the links for maps of the route. Map of the entire route.

Details

Approach for The South Fork:
From the trailhead walk about 450 feet just south of due east at a bearing of 110° to a wash (yCoffinUpperTp).  As you enter the wash (yCoffinUpperTp) it starts out heading almost east and will begin to turn south just after entering it.  The wash slowly gets deeper and deeper with various small down climbs.

Jump to the Canyon / Technical Section - South Fork to complete the route.

Approach for The North Fork:
From the trailhead (tDanteVarCyns), trailhead leave the pavement and travel almost due west (bearing of 262 degrees) about 0.2 miles to an obvious low saddle (wCerberusRP-01).     

From the saddle, follow south along the ridge about 0.1 miles to the top of a peak (wCerberusRP-02).     

From this high point is where this route will follow a different path than the Cerberus route.  From the high point at (wCerberusRP-02), continue following down the ridge to the south east.  

About 0.2 miles down the ridge will be another high point on the ridge (wStyxNF-RP-01).  

Continue south east down the ridge another 0.4 miles to a saddle (wStyxNF-RP-02).  On the east side of this saddle is the Upper Coffin Wash.  If you drop down the slope to the east you will get down to the Upper Coffin Wash slightly down canyon of the only rappel in the Upper Coffin Wash.  If you drop down the slope to the west you will drop down into the Cerberus Wash near the head of the Cerberus Canyon.  

Rather than follow down the drainage to the southwest, traverse along the south side of the drainage staying roughly about the same elevation as the saddle.  As you traverse across the side of the drainage aim for a reddish outcropping of rocks (wStyxNF-RP-03) about 500 feet from the saddle and traverse just barely under them.  

Just after crossing under the reddish outcropping of rocks (wStyxNF-RP-03) walk about 250 feet around the point to get to the top of a ridge running southwest (wStyxNF-RP-04).  

Continue southwest down the ridge to the southwest passing over a small peak along the ridge (wStyxNF-RP-05) about 400 feet from the top of the ridge.  Continue about another 500 feet to a saddle at the bottom of the ridge (yStyxNFTp).  The large drainage on the right (north) is Cerberus. And the drainage running to the south is the North Fork of Styx Canyon.

Warning:
Be very careful not to drop into the wrong drainage from this saddle.  The larger drainage to the north of this saddle will look and feel like a more major canyon than the one running away to the south.  The smaller drainage running south is the drainage you want to follow for the North Fork of Styx Canyon.  The large drainage on the north side of the saddle is Cerberus and has a drop well over 200 feet.  If you accidentally drop into Cerberus you may have insufficient rope to safely descend the canyon.

Jump to the Canyon / Technical Section - North Fork to complete the route.

 

The Canyon / Technical Section - South Fork:
From the start of the wash (yCoffinUpperTp) walk down canyon as it turns and starts to head south.

Note:
A little way into the wash are some cairns high up on the right.  We followed the cairns while on Coffin Canyon the following day and found they did not lead anywhere useful.  It is best to stay in the wash.

The first 0.6 miles of the wash has a few down climbs along the way of about 5 to 15 feet each.  Each of these is easily bypassed up and over on the RDC (west) side.

About 0.6 miles from the start of the wash will be a drop of about 35 feet (wCofinUprRP-01).  The drop can be down climbed or you can easily bypass it on the RDC (west) side as well.

Rap 1 (dCoffinUpperR1) for Upper Coffin Canyon is about 250 feet down canyon of the 35 foot drop.  Rap1 for Upper Coffin Canyon is about 100 feet and anchored from a small boulder sitting in the wash just above the rap.  The wall of Rap 1 has some loose rock and dirt that could be knocked loose and injure people below.  There is a fairly safe spot for the belay person to stand if they keep their face to the wall and keep tucked in.

About 700 feet down canyon of rap 1 is a drop of about 40 feet (wCofinUprRP-02).  This drop can be bypassed by scrambling up and around on either the RDC or LDC side then down to the wash below.  LDC is a little more of an obvious route when looking for it but both sides work.

About 0.2 miles farther down canyon is a drop of about 9 feet (wCofinUprRP-03).  This drop looks like it is loose and made of conglomerate rock but is solid enough to down climb.  Or you can easily bypass this drop on the LDC side with a quick easy walk around.

About 450 feet down canyon is a drop of about 15 feet (wCofinUprRP-04).  This drop is an easy down climb along some sloped pink rock.   The pink rock is in contrast to everything that is around it so this makes a good land mark for knowing where you are.  This drop can easily be bypassed LDC if desired.

About 500 feet down canyon is another drop of about 15 feet (wCofinUprRP-05).  This drop has a big overhang and should be bypassed LDC.

About 0.2 miles farther down canyon the wash begins to open up a lot more (yCoffinUpperBt).  This is what is labeled on the map as the end of the upper Coffin Canyon technical section.  The next mile is walking along a wide open wash with views of the Death Valley salt flats off in the distance as you walk the Coffin Wash.

From where the wash widened out (yCoffinUpperBt) walk down canyon roughly south.  About 0.6 miles down you can see the 60 foot wall LDC that is rappelled down to enter Coffin Canyon as described in Chris Brennen’s route for Styx Canyon.  Here is where you get a visual treat of looking a long way down the straight flat of Coffin Canyon wash to see the salt flats at the bottom of Death Valley in the distance.

Another 0.5 miles down the wash is another wash joining in from RDC (west).  This is where you will leave the main wash of Coffin Canyon and travel up a wash to the right (west) (jWash2StyxTp).

Turn right (west) and start walking up the wash from (jWash2StyxSFTp).  About 550 feet after leaving Coffin Wash will be a smaller wash which comes in from the left (wStyxSFRP-01).

Turn left up this smaller wash on the left (wStyxSFRP-01), rather than continue along the wider more obvious wash.  Walk about 850 feet up this smaller steep wash to get to the saddle at the top (yStyxSFTp).  The saddle (yStyxSFTp) is the top entry for the top of the South Fork Of Styx Canyon.  From here are views of another portion of the Death Valley Flats which can bee seen over the top of Styx Canyon.

From the top entry of the South Fork of Styx Canyon (yStyxSFTp) walk down the wash to the west.  Travel is easy as you drop down the steep wash from the saddle.  About 0.4 miles down canyon from the saddle is a drop of just over 20 feet which is rap 1.

Rap 1 (dStyxSF-R1) is anchored from rock debris at the top of the rap.  Rap 1 drops about 20 feet into a narrow slot in some conglomerate rock.  Rap 1 can be down climbed by skilled down climbers but many will want to rap this drop.

Just after rap 1 the canyon begins to feel thin and narrow with some little down climbs along the way as the canyon walls start to wind.  One of the down climbs is 8 or 9 feet and is a little sketchy.  It might be a good idea to provide a meet anchor for al but the last person who will need to down climb it.

Rap 2 (dStyxSF-R2-3) is about 175 feet down canyon of rap 1.  Rap 2 is anchored RDC from rock fall debris and drops about 50 feet down a vertical wall.

Rap 3 is right at the bottom of rap 2 and is anchored from a dead man anchor.  Rap 3 drops about 40 feet down a mostly slopped wall.

Near the bottom of rap 3 is an easy stemming style down climb of about 15 feet with a ledge part way down it.  After the down climb is easy wash walking down canyon.

About 0.3 miles down canyon after rap 3 is a down climb over a huge boulder about 12 feet.  You can down climb this or walk down a ramp next to the boulder on the RDC side.  About 50 feet down canyon after this down climb is the top of rap 4.

Rap 4 (dStyxSF-R4) is anchored from a cairn anchor.  Rap 3 drops about 35 feet with a little bit of overhang near the bottom of the drop.

About 175 feet down canyon of rap 4 for the South Fork of Styx Canyon is another large drainage joining in from the right (north).  This other drainage is the North Fork of Styx Canyon.  This is where the two forks join (jStyx-NF-SF).

After reaching the confluence jump to the Canyon / Technical Section for the Main Canyon below the Confluence.

The Canyon / Technical Section - North Fork:
From the saddle which is the top entry for the North Fork of Styx Canyon (yStyxNFTp) start down the wide open drainage to the south.   

About 0.3 miles down canyon will be a rock wall along the LDC side of the wash (wStyxNF-RP-06).  Just after the wall the wash becomes wide open again and is still easy wash walking.  

About another 0.1 miles down canyon are a few more rock outcroppings (wStyxNF-RP-07) to walk next to in the wash.  After this is more wide open wash to walk in.  

About another 0.2 miles down canyon the wash enters a more rocky section (wStyxNF-RP-08).  In this section are a couple short drops to scramble down.  Down canyon of this point the canyon starts to get a little narrower and take on the start of a canyon feel.  

A little over 500 feet farther down canyon a large drainage (wStyxNF-RP-09) joins in from LDC (east).  As you continue down canyon the walls start to get higher.  

About 0.25 miles farther down canyon another drainage (wStyxNF-RP-10) joins in from LDC (east).  This drainage is not as obvious as the previous one.  

Just after this drainage will be a drop that totals about 40 feet.  The drop is a combination of smaller drops of 3 to 10 feet each.  Each of the drops are easy scrambles or down climbs.  Continuing down canyon from here the canyon is more closed in feeling with narrow semi high walls.   

Travel down canyon is easy wash walking in soft gravel for about 0.4 miles to a spot with a few easy drops to scramble down of 3 to 5 feet each (wStyxNF-RP-11).  

Rap 1 (dStyxNF-R1) in the North Fork of Styx Canyon is about another 500 feet down canyon with a down climb of about 12 feet to get to the top of the rappel.  Rap 1 is anchored from a pinch point between a boulder and the canyon wall and from a natural jug hole in the wall next to the boulder.  Rap drops about 50 feet down a vertical wall with a short section of overhang part way down.  

Rap 2 (dStyxNF-R2) in the North Fork of Styx Canyon is about 350 feet down canyon of rap 1.  Rap 2 is anchored from a rock embedded in the wash near the top of the rap.  Rap 2 drops over two stages of about 30 feet each.  About 65 feet of rope travel will be needed from anchor to ground.  

Rap 3 (dStyxNF-R3-4) in the North Fork of Styx Canyon is about 750 feet down canyon of rap 2 with easy wash walking between.  Rap 3 is anchored from a small bush on the RDC side up on a ledge a little over head high.  Rap 3 drops about 105 feet over two stages of about 40 feet each with a horizontal section between.  A 200 foot rope might stretch just enough to use a single rope but it would be a good idea to set the rope long on one side and send the first person down single strand to ensure the ropes can be equalized and make it to the bottom.  

Note:
There is very little availability of natural anchors or material for an anchor for rap 4.  Before pulling the ropes from rap 3, be sure to check for anchor options at the top of rap 4.  If the cairn anchor has been washed down canyon from flooding, more material will need to be farmed from the top of rap 3.   

Rap 4 is about 60 feet down canyon of rap 3.  The anchor for rap 4 is a cairn style anchor about 8 feet back from the drop.  Rap 4 drops about 100 feet over two stages of about 35 feet and 60 feet down sloped walls.  

About 70 feet down canyon of rap 4 is a drop of about 15 feet.  This drop can be down climbed in a chute down the water course or bypassed on either the RDC or LDC side.  

Rap 5 (dStyxNF-R5) in the North Fork of Styx Canyon is about 70 feet down canyon of the 15 foot down climb.  Rap 5 is anchored from a cairn style anchor RDC and drops about 50 feet over 2 stages down sloped walls.  

Rap 6 (dStyxNF-R6) in the North Fork of Styx Canyon is about 250 feet down canyon of rap 5.  Rap 6 is in a wider section of the canyon and drops over a ledge to what appears to be another drainage joining in from LDC.  Rap 6 is anchored from a large rock about 15 feet back from the top of the drop.  Rap 6 drops about 40 feet but will use about 55 feet of rope travel from the anchor to the bottom of the rap.  

At the bottom of rap 6, a side drainage joins in from LDC, Turn right (south west) and walk down canyon.  Down canyon of rap 6 is a section of easy wash walking in a wide section of canyon.  

About 0.2 miles down canyon of rap 6 is a drop of about 12 feet which is an easy scramble down climb.  

Rap 7 (dStyxNF-R7) in the North Fork of Styx Canyon is about 175 feet down canyon of the 12 foot down climb.  Rap 7 is anchored RDC from a knot chock about 15 feet back from the top of the rap.  Rap 7 drops about 40 feet down a slightly sloped wall.  

Down canyon of rap 7 are a few down climbs of 5 to 10 feet.  Each of these down climbs is pretty easy and are in a rock fall debris field.  After the rock fall debris field is the junction of the North and South forks of Styx Canyon (jStyx-NF-SF) which is about 450 feet down canyon of rap 7.

After reaching the confluence jump to the Canyon / Technical Section for the Main Canyon below the Confluence.

The Canyon / Technical Section - Main Canyon below the Confluence:
After the junction of the North and South Forks (jStyx-NF-SF) it is easy wash walking for a while.  Along the way is a pile of boulders in the wash that have a nice passage through them (sBoulderPass).  It is deceiving when you first see them.  It looks as though they block your path.  As you get closer it is entertaining to find you can stand tall and walk right through a passage through them.

Down canyon of the Boulder Passage is easy wash walking for about 0.5 miles to where the canyon will start to offer more fun in the way of down climbs and rappels (wStyxMainRP-01).  The first of these drops is an easy down climb of about 15 feet ten followed by another easy down climb of about 35 feet on sloped grayish rock.  This section has a couple more easy down climbs.

Next is more easy wash walking for about 0.3 miles to another drop of about 20 feet over a boulder (wStyxMainRP-02).  Walk along the rock ramp on the LDC (south) side to find one of a few spots to down climb.

About 150 down canyon is another drop of about 30 feet that you down climb along a gentle slope on the LDC side to the wash.

Shortly after is a sloped drop down a some slick rock that is like a Slide (wStyxMainRP-03).  You can scoot down to about 9 feet off the ground before losing almost all traction.  From there it is a fun but fast slide down to the gravel below!  It is a good idea to give a hand line for all but the last person.  The last person can slide down and be captured by those below.

Just down canyon of the slide are a few easy scramble type down climbs then more easy wash walking for about 0.2 miles with another down climb mid way along the walk.

Next is a drop (wStyxMainRP-04) of about 40 feet that is bypassed down a rock and scree slope on the LDC side.  About 200 feet farther down canyon is the top of the first rap in Styx after the confluence of the north and south forks.

Rap 1 for the Main Styx Canyon (dStyxMN-R1) Rap 1 drops about 85 feet and is anchored from 2 anchors.  One is a piton on the LDC side while the other anchor is from some small rocks wedged in cracks just above the rap on the RDC side.  Rap 1 drops about 85 feet and the anchor is about 10 feet back from the drop.  You will need almost 100 feet of rope travel for rap 1 in the Main Styx Canyon.

About 200 feet further down canyon are a few short easy down climbs.  Then about another 100 feet down canyon to a down climb of about 12 feet over a few fallen boulders.

About 650 feet down canyon of rap 1 in the main canyon will be a drop of about 5 feet then another of about 10 feet with no easy anchor close by (wStyxMainRP-05).  The best option here is to provide a meat anchor for all but the last person down then those at the bottom can provide a partner assist or capture.  Another option is to use a pack as a counter weight to lower yourself over the drop then pull your pack down.

Down canyon of the 10 foot drop are a couple of other easy down climbs of about 8 feet and 12 feet.

Rap 2 for the Main Styx Canyon (dStyxMN-R2) is about 450 feet down canyon of the 10 foot drop that required the partner assist.  Rap 2 drops about 100 feet and is anchored from a large boulder LDC.  From the top of rap 2 is a great view to the wash below.  This rap feels taller than it is when you look at it from top.

About 300 feet down canyon of rap 2 in the main canyon is a drop of about 35 feet which can be easily bypassed LDC down a rock and scree slope.  After bypassing this drop is a series of short easy down climbs stretched over about 150 feet.

Rap 3 in the Main Styx Canyon (dStyxMN-R3) is about 400 feet down canyon of rap 2.  Rap 3 is anchored LDC from stone embedded in the wash.  Rap 3 drops about 12 feet but can give some people trouble.  Rap 3 has an awkward start and if you are not careful you can get your rappel device stuck on the rocks as you drop over the edge.

About 250 feet down canyon of rap 3 in the main canyon is a drop of about 30 feet (wStyxMainRP-06).  Down climb this drop on the RDC side down a crack or chute like section.

Rap 4 in the Main Styx Canyon (dStyxMN-R4) is about 250 feet after the 30 foot down climb.  Rap 4 drops over two stages of about 30 feet each with a long horizontal section between.  Rap 4 is anchored from some boulders about 15 feet back from the top of the rap.

Shortly down canyon of rap 4 is a down climb of about 12 feet.  Shortly after is a down climb of about 20 feet that looks difficult at first glance but is actually an easy stem slide down a sloped chute.  After these down climbs is easy wash walking.  About 500 feet down canyon of rap 4 the canyon widens out a little and travel is still an easy walk in the wash.

Rap 5 in the Main Styx Canyon (dStyxMN-R5) is about 1000 feet down canyon of rap 4.  Rap 5 is anchored about 15 feet back from pitons on both the RDC and LDC sides. RDC has 2 pitons and LDC has 1 Piton.  Rap 5 drops about 20 feet.  Near the bottom of rap 5 is an easy down climb of about 6 feet.

After rap 5 is a series of short easy down climb mixed with sections of easy wash walking.

About 0.2 miles down canyon of rap 5 is a down climb of about 25 feet that drops over stages.  Shortly after this 25 foot down climb is a drop of about 8 feet over a boulder.  This drop can be down climbed by some of the better down climbers in the group and is easier if you are tall.  Everyone else will likely want a meat anchor to allow them to rappel over it.  This down climb is tricky since it is in a wide section and the boulder you are climbing over has overhang under it.

Rap 6 in the Main Styx Canyon (dStyxMN-R6) is about 200 feet down canyon of the 8 foot down climb.  Rap 6 is anchored RDC from a large boulder wedged along the wall.  Rap 6 drops about 50 feet down a gentle slope then going mostly vertical near the bottom.  The top part of this gentle slope can be down climbed but the lower portion will need to be rappelled.  Take time to look at the Death Valley flats from the top of rap 6, the view is eye catching to see the flats through the sliver of a view the canyon offers.

Rap 7 in the Main Styx Canyon (dStyxMN-R7) is about 150 feet down canyon of rap 6.  Rap 7 is anchored from a cairn style anchor in the center of the wash and a piton on the LDC side.  The anchor is about 20 feet back from the drop.  Rap 7 drops about 80 feet down a vertical dry fluted fall but you will need about 100 feet of rope travel from the anchor to the bottom of the rappel since the anchor is set back from the top of the drop.

Rap 8 in the Main Styx Canyon (dStyxMN-R8) is about 200 feet down canyon of rap 7.  Rap 8 is anchored from a cairn style anchor about 20 feet back from the drop.  Rap 8 drops about 70 feet but will use about 90 feet of rope travel from anchor to floor.  Rap 8 drops down to a couple of ledges near the top then goes vertical down a dry fall.

Rap 9 in the Main Styx Canyon (dStyxMN-R9) is about 90 feet down canyon of rap 8.  Rap 9 is the final rap and is worth the time to hang out for some photos since it is the most memorable rappel.  When you come up to the final rap the first thing you notice is a huge boulder that has fallen to the floor of the canyon.  The boulder has a large space under it which is where the rappel starts.  Looking down the wash at the boulder the salt flats of Death Valley can be seen through the hole under it. The final rap drops about 100 feet and is anchored with long webbing straps tied to some boulders LDC of the large boulder described above.  Starting the decent of the 100 foot rap lets you enjoy the view of Death Valley behind and to the side of you.  This rap also passes through sea level about midway down.

The boulder over the final rap is a great spot to take a group photo.  How often do you get to stand on a boulder straddling a canyon with friends?

About 200 feet down canyon after the final rap is a sloped section of rock to scramble down as you exit the mouth of the canyon (yStyxBt).

The Exit:
After scrambling down the sloped rock to the alluvial fan at the mouth of the canyon (yStyxBt), turn left (south).  Walk about 0.5 miles south to the exit vehicle (pkStyxBT) to complete the route.  All that is left is to go retrieve the vehicle left at Dante's View where the route began.

GPS Waypoint Information

Click to show / expand the list of waypoints below........

Styx 1 - Drive to Exit Vehicle Parking

extBadWatr-190          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 36.44835   W -116.85247        Elev: 10 Feet Junction of highway 190 and Badwater Road (178). extDevilsGolf          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 36.29845   W -116.81171        Elev: -200 Feet Turn off for the Devil's Golf Course. Park here to leave an exit vehicle when doing Brimstone Canyon. extNatBridge          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 36.27404   W -116.79292        Elev: -241 Feet Exit for the road to the Natural Bridge trailhead. sBadWater282          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 36.23001   W -116.76791        Elev: -282 Feet Sign at Bad Water Stating 282 feet below sea level pkStyxBT          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 36.17985   W -116.76800        Elev: -170 Feet Park a vehicle here along the highway for transportation after exiting the bottom of Styx Canyon.

Styx 2 - Drive to Trailhead

extBadWatr-190          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 36.44835   W -116.85247        Elev: 10 Feet Junction of highway 190 and Badwater Road (178). ext-20Mule-In          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 36.40941   W -116.79466        Elev: 840 Feet Entrance to the 20 Mule Team Rd. extDanteVw190          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 36.36312   W -116.70905        Elev: 210 Feet Exit for the Dantes View road off of highway 190. extFurnaceCk          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 36.26833   W -116.66365        Elev: 3,148 Feet Exit from the road to DAntes View to Furnace Creek Road (Greenwater Valley Road). tDanteVarCyns          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 36.21774   W -116.72265        Elev: 5,170 Feet Trailhead for a few canyon routes. It is at the bathrooms about 0.5 road miles below the Dante's View parking area.

Styx 3 - Approach North Fork

tDanteVarCyns          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 36.21774   W -116.72265        Elev: 5,170 Feet Trailhead for a few canyon routes. It is at the bathrooms about 0.5 road miles below the Dante's View parking area. jCerberusTops          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 36.21715   W -116.72658        Elev: NaN Feet Top of a saddle. Drop into the draiange to the west for the North Fork of Cerberus Canyon or continue up south up the ridge for the South Fork of Cerberus or the North Fork of Styx Canyon. jCerbSF-StyxNF          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 36.21531   W -116.72582        Elev: 5,280 Feet Top of the a peak on the ridge. Veer left (southeast) to go to the North Fork of Styx Canyon or veer right (southwest) to go to the South Fork of Cerberus Canyon. wStyxNF-RP-01          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 36.21240   W -116.72385        Elev: NaN Feet A high point on the ridge. wStyxNF-RP-02          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 36.20802   W -116.72100        Elev: 4,560 Feet Saddle deviding the Upper Coffin Wash and the Cerberus Wash. wStyxNF-RP-03          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 36.20736   W -116.72228        Elev: NaN Feet Reddish outcropping of rock to traverse under. wStyxNF-RP-04          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 36.20674   W -116.72263        Elev: NaN Feet Top of a ridge running down to the southwest. wStyxNF-RP-05          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 36.20655   W -116.72392        Elev: NaN Feet Small peak along the ridge. yStyxNFTp          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 36.20576   W -116.72555        Elev: 4,400 Feet Top entry for the North Fork of Styx Canyon. This is on a saddle dividing the North Fork of Styx and Cerberus.

Styx 4 - Approach South Fork

tDanteVarCyns          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 36.21774   W -116.72265        Elev: 5,170 Feet Trailhead for a few canyon routes. It is at the bathrooms about 0.5 road miles below the Dante's View parking area. yCoffinUpperTp          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 36.21746   W -116.72116        Elev: 5,150 Feet Entry point for Upper Coffin Canyon near Dante's View. wCofinUprRP-01          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 36.21043   W -116.71866        Elev: NaN Feet Drop of about 35 feet that can be down climbed or bypassed on the RDC side. dCoffinUpperR1          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 36.20984   W -116.71900        Elev: NaN Feet Rap 1 - Upper Coffin Canyon. Drops 100 feet and anchored from a small boulder in the wash. wCofinUprRP-02          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 36.20836   W -116.71829        Elev: NaN Feet Drop of about 40 feet. Bypass the drop RDC or LDC and scramble to the wash below. Optionally you can rap tis drop if desired. wCofinUprRP-03          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 36.20710   W -116.71525        Elev: NaN Feet Drop of about 9 feet that can be down climbed or easily bypassed on the LDC side. wCofinUprRP-04          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 36.20639   W -116.71411        Elev: NaN Feet Drop of about 15 feet on sloped pink rock. The down climb is easier than it looks but can be bypassed LDC if desired. wCofinUprRP-05          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 36.20541   W -116.71311        Elev: NaN Feet Drop of about 15 feet that can be bypassed LDC. yCoffinUpperBt          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 36.20306   W -116.71080        Elev: 3,790 Feet Bottom exit of Upper Coffin Canyon. This is were Coffin Canyon widens to a huge flat open wash. jWash2StyxSFTp          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 36.19007   W -116.71145        Elev: 3,143 Feet A wash forks off the Coffin Canyon Wash and leads up to a saddle where Styx Canyon Begins. wStyxSFRP-01          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 36.19089   W -116.71377        Elev: NaN Feet Turn left here and head up the smaller side wash to the saddle at the Top of Styx Canyon. yStyxSFTp          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 36.19052   W -116.71670        Elev: 3,407 Feet Top entry for South Fork of Styx Canyon at the top of a saddle.

Styx 5 - The Canyon, North Fork to Confluence

yStyxNFTp          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 36.20576   W -116.72555        Elev: 4,400 Feet Top entry for the North Fork of Styx Canyon. This is on a saddle dividing the North Fork of Styx and Cerberus. wStyxNF-RP-06          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 36.20319   W -116.72342        Elev: NaN Feet Rock wall along the wash as a landmark. Just after the wall the wash becomes wide open again. wStyxNF-RP-07          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 36.20187   W -116.72280        Elev: NaN Feet One of a couple sections of rock outcroppings along an otherwise open wash. wStyxNF-RP-08          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 36.19966   W -116.72185        Elev: NaN Feet Wash starts to enter a more rocky section and has a couple minor scrables down little drops. wStyxNF-RP-09          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 36.19845   W -116.72227        Elev: NaN Feet Large drainage joins in from LDC (east). wStyxNF-RP-10          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 36.19602   W -116.72299        Elev: NaN Feet Small semi obvious drainage joins in from LDC (east). wStyxNF-RP-11          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 36.19296   W -116.72677        Elev: NaN Feet A few easy drops of 3 to 5 feet each to scramble down. dStyxNF-R1          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 36.19225   W -116.72818        Elev: 3,420 Feet Rap 1 - North Fork Styx Canyon. Anchored from a pinch point between a boulder and the canyon wall and from a natural jug hole on the canyon wall. Drops about 50 feet down a vertical wall with a short section of freehang part way down. dStyxNF-R2          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 36.19159   W -116.72883        Elev: NaN Feet Rap 2 - North Fork Styx Canyon. Anchored from a rock embedded in the wash at the top of the rap and drops over two stages of about 30 feet each. Will need 65 feet of rope travel from anchor to ground. dStyxNF-R3-4          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 36.19002   W -116.72849        Elev: NaN Feet Raps 3 and 4 - North Fork Styx Canyon. Rap 3 is nchored from a small bush up on a ledge on the RDC side. Drops about 105 feet over two stages of about 40 feet each. Rap 4 is about 60 feet down canyon of rap 3 and is anchored from a carin style anchor. Drops about 100 feet over two stages of 35 and 60 feet each. dStyxNF-R5          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 36.18985   W -116.72791        Elev: NaN Feet Rap 5 - North Fork Styx Canyon. Anchored from cairn achor RDC and drops about 50 feet over two stages down sloped walls. dStyxNF-R6          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 36.18943   W -116.72712        Elev: NaN Feet Rap 6 - North Fork Styx Canyon. Anchored from a large rock about 15 feet back from the top of the drop. Drops about 40 feet but uses about 55 feet of rope travel from anchor to bottom of rappel. dStyxNF-R7          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 36.18670   W -116.72788        Elev: NaN Feet Rap 7 - North Fork Styx Canyon. Anchored from a knot chock RDC about 15 feet from the top of the drop. Rap 7 drops about 40 feet so a total of about 55 feet of rope travel will be needed from the anchor to the bottom. jStyx-NF-SF          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 36.18553   W -116.72727        Elev: 2,550 Feet Junction where the North and South Forks of Styx Canyon join.

Styx 6 - The Canyon, South Fork to Confluence

yStyxSFTp          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 36.19052   W -116.71670        Elev: 3,407 Feet Top entry for South Fork of Styx Canyon at the top of a saddle. dStyxSF-R1          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 36.18859   W -116.72225        Elev: 3,030 Feet Rap 1 - South fork of Styx Canyon. Anchored from rock debris at the top of the rap and drops about 20 feet. This drop can be down climbed by skilled down climbers. dStyxSF-R2-3          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 36.18819   W -116.72249        Elev: NaN Feet Raps 2 and 3 - South Fork Styx Canyon. Rap 2 anchored from rock fall debris and drops about 50 feet. Rap 3 anchored froma dead man and drops about 50 feet. dStyxSF-R4          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 36.18586   W -116.72683        Elev: NaN Feet Rap 4 - South Fork of Styx Canyon. Anchored from a carin style andchor and drops about 35 feet with a short section of overhang near the bottom. jStyx-NF-SF          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 36.18553   W -116.72727        Elev: 2,550 Feet Junction where the North and South Forks of Styx Canyon join.

Styx 7 - The Canyon, Confluence to exit

jStyx-NF-SF          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 36.18553   W -116.72727        Elev: 2,550 Feet Junction where the North and South Forks of Styx Canyon join. sBoulderPass          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 36.18536   W -116.72857        Elev: 2,542 Feet Large boulders in the wash that have a passage through them that can be walked through. wStyxMainRP-01          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 36.18420   W -116.73567        Elev: 2,074 Feet End of the easy wash walking where the canyon starts to give more down climbs. wStyxMainRP-02          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 36.18257   W -116.74040        Elev: 1,820 Feet Drop of about 20 feet over a boulder. Walk down the rock ramp on the LDC (south) side and find one of many places to down climb to the wash below. wStyxMainRP-03          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 36.18281   W -116.74127        Elev: NaN Feet A 15 foot down climb that turns into a slide near midpoint. wStyxMainRP-04          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 36.18244   W -116.74565        Elev: NaN Feet Drop of about 40 feet which is bypassed down a scree slope on the LDC side. dStyxMN-R1          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 36.18239   W -116.74633        Elev: NaN Feet Rap 1 - Main Styx Canyon below the confluence of the north and south forks. Drops 85 feet - Anchored about 10 feet back from a small piton LDC and a few small choke stones RDC. wStyxMainRP-05          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 36.18232   W -116.74844        Elev: NaN Feet Drop of about 10 feet with no obvious anchors. Provide meat anchor for al but the last then do a capture for the last person down. dStyxMN-R2          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 36.18230   W -116.74979        Elev: NaN Feet Rap 2 - Main Styx Canyon below the confluence of the north and south forks. Drops 100 feet - Anchored from a large boulder on the LDC side. dStyxMN-R3          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 36.18241   W -116.75107        Elev: NaN Feet Rap 3 - Main Styx Canyon below the confluence of the north and south forks. Drops 12 feet - Anchored LDC from a rock embeded in the wash. wStyxMainRP-06          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 36.18252   W -116.75194        Elev: 761 Feet Drop of about 30 feet. Sometimes there is and anchor built here but can be easily down climbed. dStyxMN-R4          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 36.18248   W -116.75282        Elev: NaN Feet Rap 4 - Main Styx Canyon below the confluence of the north and south forks. Drops over two stages of about 30 feet each. Anchored from small boulders. dStyxMN-R5          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 36.18242   W -116.75585        Elev: NaN Feet Rap 5 - Main Styx Canyon below the confluence of the north and south forks. Drops about 20 feet. Anchored from 1 piton RDC and 2 pitons LDC. dStyxMN-R6          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 36.18399   W -116.75901        Elev: NaN Feet Rap 6 - Main Styx Canyon below the confluence of the north and south forks. Drops 50 feet with a gentle slope near the top. dStyxMN-R7          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 36.18418   W -116.75946        Elev: NaN Feet Rap 7 - Main Styx Canyon below the confluence of the north and south forks. Drops about 80 feet down a vertical dry fluted fall but will require 100 feet of rope travel back to the anchor. Anchored from cairn style anchor and a piton on the LDC side. dStyxMN-R8          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 36.18438   W -116.76004        Elev: NaN Feet Rap 8 - Main Styx Canyon below the confluence of the north and south forks. Drops about 70 feet but will use about 90 feet of rope travel. Acnhored from a cairn style anchor about 20 feet back. dStyxMN-R9          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 36.18447   W -116.76043        Elev: NaN Feet Rap 9 - Main Styx Canyon below the confluence of the north and south forks. Drops about 100 feet and anchored from a large boulder LDC. This rap passes through Sea Level as it drops under the large boulder wedged in the canyon. yStyxBt          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 36.18461   W -116.76111        Elev: -80 Feet Bottom exit for Styx Canyon. pkStyxBT          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 36.17985   W -116.76800        Elev: -170 Feet Park a vehicle here along the highway for transportation after exiting the bottom of Styx Canyon.