Wander the West: Golden Canyon

Ah, Golden Canyon......we always kind of avoided this spot because it seemed busy and we so much prefer the trail less traveled. When we took the time to stop, what a really neat place with its own special character. Make this an early morning or late in the afternoon stop, less people and better light. If you want to leave people behind, take the trail up out of the canyon (right below beautiful Manly Beacon) and down into Gower Gulch. Walk down Gower and you will find a trail back to the parking at Golden Canyon. This makes for a pleasant couple hour walk.

Golden Canyon and Gower Gulch makes a great five mile hike as a loop including Zabriskie Point. I hiked up Golden in the early light, took in the view, a snack (and the crowds) at Zabriskie, and came down Gower to the foot of the mountains. A lightly used trail leads back north to the lot at the mouth of Golden.

Only a few people were on the trail in the yellow rock but there were plenty at the Zabriskie point turnout.