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Goler Wash / Canyon
Trail Information
Highlights
Goler Wash, also known as Goler Canyon, is an enjoyable off-road cut through over the Panamint Mountain Range from Ballarat near Trona to Death Valley National Park in California. The trial is popular for being the home of Barker Ranch, aka Manson Ranch. In 1969 the FBI raided the ranch when they found out the Manson Family was living there. But don't think this is an easy 4x4 pass through. The trail is known to get washed out making it a go-to place for a mild offroad trail to wild overland adventures. Along the route expect beautiful scenery of the canyons that seem to tower above you while the old mines placed up on the side of the cliffs seem to have no way for people to ever access them. If the trail is washed out, expect an intermediate waterfall that is slick with running water on over it. Today, the park service spends a lot of time maintaining this trail, trying to keep the trail easily passable for even a 2wd.
To spice things up, make this into a weekend overland adventure including off-roading Warm Springs Road, Butte Valley, Mengel Pass, and Goler Wash. This just might be the best 4wd Jeep Trails you have or will ever take and the dispersed camping is top notch.
Trail Difficulty and Assessment
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Trail Reviews
4.9/5 (9 reviews)
Status: Open
Rated 5/5
Visited: 12/28/2021
Difficulty Accuracy: Spot On
This is a really stunning trail, and can probably be driven with any 4x4 with reasonable clearance and good tires. Just getting to the trail takes some resolve; it’s quite remote. Even if you’re just going to Barker Ranch and back out, be sure that you are well prepared for whatever the day may hold.
Status: Open
Rated 5/5
Visited: 02/19/2021
Really enjoyed driving this trail on the way to Mengel pass. Saw one lonely Burro near the bottom, then no more. Trail conditions excellent. Easy run for stock vehicles. At the trail head about noon, and done with Barker Ranch by about 3 pm. This included a stop at Newman's cabin, a side trip to the top of Lotus Mine Road, and a stay at Barkers Ranch to explore and have lunch..
Status: Open
Rated 5/5
Visited: 12/05/2020
Difficulty Accuracy: Easier
These connecting series of DV trails are bucket list material for every overlander. This was an awesome trail. Unfortunately nobody has mapped the Slate Range Trail as that was a good one to connect to this trail. Regardless on how you get to the trail... just make it happen! We camped at Newman's cabin which was great and creepy too.
Status: Open
Rated 5/5
Visited: 10/05/2020
Ran this trail after Pleasant Canyon on our way to Butte Valley. Relatively easy trail for most stock 4WDs. There was a lot of water damage that caused some ruts but nothing super crazy. Going to the Barker Ranch has been on my list for many years and finally made it out there. Just one of the many pieces of history in the area.
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