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.
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From Ballarat, take dirt road (Wingate) south roughly 15 Miles to Goler Wash Road and make a left (east) into the canyon. (The main road takes you into Goler Canyon.
This is a great way into the park. There a plenty of mines and cabins to explore so plan on taking your time. The trail was a nice easy drive when I was there and most 4WDs with good tires shouldn't have a problem. There was some water flowing in the lower part and I can see where things can get washed out and the trail changes seasonally.
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.
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..
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.
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.
Pretty easy trail but very cool driving up the tight wash on the lower section. The middle section near the cabin was pretty wet, but not an issue unless it got really cold.
Easily doable in a stock 4wd rig.
Did this trail along with Mengel Pass, Warm Springs Road and Golar ofcourse. Golar is a beautiful route that is easy for anyone to do. You could come in camp in here and leave happy. However if you got a more capable rig then head on over to Mengel Pass for the fun stuff!
Beautiful trail! Plenty of yellow wildflowers in the twisty narrow section at the beginning (during our trip). There's a waterfall obstacle to climb up early on. In our case it was wet/running and the trucks without lockers had to make several attempts. My stock 02 Tacoma TRD walked right up (with locker). Fairly easy trail other than that.
Great summary of this trail. Thanks to the reviewer!
About all I can add is to reinforce what the reviewer said. Goler Wash is maintained by the Park Service, and if you head up in the dry season and it has been bladed recently, it's easy. If you head up during or after the wet season (spring) and it hasn't seen a blade in two years, it's probably a rating 5-6 with some technical rock climbing that requires an experienced spotter and some slipping and sliding.
Another point, and this trail is not reviewed yet, while you're still in the canyon you will pass the junction for the Lotus Mine. If you head to the top of the trail you will get the best view of the Panamint Valley ever. This trail is not maintained so it might be eroded. Proceed cautiously, of course.
Final point. The best reason to ascend Goler Wash is to continue on into Butte Valley over Mengel Pass via what this site calls the Mengel Pass Trail. Butte Valley is the loveliest high-altitude valley I've ever seen, except perhaps Yosemite Valley. There is a lot to explore in your jeep and in your boots. It's also along the route of the famous Manly-Rogers escape.
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Joshua Noesser grew up in Southern California but has lived in different parts of the country during his young adult life. Josh was first turned to four wheeling when he road with one of his friends dad up Surprise Canyon in the Panamint Valley at age14. After nearly 3 different roll overs later and a half dozen intense waterfalls, Josh was hooked. At 16 he purchased his first Jeep a CJ 7 and by 17 was putting his first locker in it.
Currently, Josh is the owner and CEO of Nybble, an IT Solutions Company based in Orange County, California. Nybble isn't your normal IT company where everyone stays in and plays video games. Nybble's average company trip is out on the trails since a good amount of his staff enjoy wheeling too. As Josh likes to say, he offers the only IT Company with the ability to provide services in extreme locations. "If you want a server at the top of The Hammers, we will take care of that for you."
Today you can find Josh out on the trail behind the wheel in one of his three different off-road vehicles. See the vehicles below for more information.
If you ever run into Josh, please say high, he is a very friendly person and is always happy to have a new person join the group.
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