Death Valley 2011 - Titus Canyon Jeep Quest

Rhyolite, now a ghost town, was known as the "Queen City". From 1905-1911, it was the largest town in the Death Valley area with a population of 5,000-10,000 people. During its heyday, it contained 2 churches, 50 saloons, 18 stores, 2 undertakers, 19 lodging houses, 8 doctors, 2 dentists, a stock exchange and an opera. The town contains numerous ruins including the Bottle House, Senator W.A. Clark's train depot, remains of a 3-story bank building, and the jail.
Red Pass (5,240’) - The highest point on the road is this divide between Titanothere and Titus Canyons. Stop to enjoy the grand view in both directions.

Leadfield, "boomed" for less than a year in 1926-27 because the lead deposits disappeared very quickly. All that is left today are a few shacks and a number of mines. Many of the mines are open, but enter at your own risk. Loose rocks, rotten timbers, unexpected vertical shafts, and animals seeking shelter are potential hazards.

You enter Titus Canyon just below the ghost town of Leadfield, the road enters the main fork of Titus Canyon. Limestone cliffs rise high above the broad wash; their folded layers reveal the work of great mountain building forces. Rugged, steep slopes provide habitats for bighorn sheep, cacti, and hanging gardens of rare plants.

The final 1.5 miles of the Titus Canyon is the very narrow. The walls squeeze down to less than 20 feet apart in some places. As the road enters the narrows it detours out of the wash and descends what is often the roughest part of the entire trip. It's a good idea to scout this section out before driving it.

Scotty’s Castle is hidden in the green oasis of Grapevine Canyon in far northern Death Valley, the Death Valley Ranch, or Scotty's Castle as it is more commonly known, is a window into the life and times of the Roaring 20's and Depression 30's. It was an engineer's dream home, a wealthy matron's vacation home, and a man-of-mystery's hideout and getaway. Walter Scott, Death Valley Scotty, convinced everyone that he had built the castle with money from his rich secret mines in the area. The problem, there were NO mines. Albert Mussey Johnson actually built the house as a vacation getaway for himself and his wife Bessie. Scotty was the mystery man, the cowboy, and the entertainer, but he was also a friend of Johnson’s. Albert was the brains and the money. As different as they were in real life, they both shared a common dream.

We have put together a YouTube movie presentation with a sound track. Turn up your speakers and click on the full-screen option in the lower right hand corner of the movie frame to get the full effect. CLICK HERE to watch the movie presentation.