Wander the West: Panamint City

Panamint City takes some effort to reach. It's about a seven mile hike, including climbing waterfalls and dealing with thick vegetation in the narrow canyon, and it's uphill the whole way. I recommend reading "Death Valley and the Armagosa", a well written history book that includes Panamint City. You will find out about crooked senators, a curious link to Santa Monica, and quarter ton blocks of silver. Not it the book, but you'll also want to find out about "Shotgun Mary". Panamint City is a colorful ghost town with much to see and explore. It is far from the beaten path and is not for everyone.

Now that the old jeep "road" has washed out and the route closed by the BLM, this is a great 7 mile hike to seldom visited ghost town. Expect 3000 ft of altitude gain and wet feet from walking in the creek. There is no need to carry a tent since the two cabins (photo above)in Panamint City have wood stoves and running water. Remember to bring food and a sleeping bag, though.

Once you get to the City, you can poke around the old mill (photos above)and other ruins.

I didn't know there was running water in the cabins. An overnighter is a great way to see the "city"

I love that place. I first drove up that rut in '73 in a brand spankin' new VW. It was my first taste of things to come and after my first trip to DV. Living in the west is a good thing.

I just read that there is legislation planned to designate Surprise Canyon, the route into Panamint City from the west, as a national wild and scenic river. Surely that creek will be the smallest and shortest wild "river" in the country!

Keith, in the spring of '08 there was still water running in some cabins but I don't know how long the water system will last without some TLC. Some of the pipes were leaking and the floor was rotting in one cabin.

Also, some jerk had come through before our visit and trashed the wood stoves' doors. At that they work as open fireplaces, not closed stoves.