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Desert Dancing
Exploring the Mojave and Colorado deserts
By Len Wilcox
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Located in the El Paso Mountains, near Red Rock State Park, the road through Last Chance Canyon is a scenic and historic desert trail. From the south, the trail ranks as one of the more rugged canyon climbs in the desert. I took this trail in a Cherokee Laredo that had been lifted 3".
In a stock SUV I probably would have turned around. Anything larger or with less clearance is would be at risk for body damage.
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From the north, a trail that most 2-wheel drive vehicles could take, except for some patches of sand, leads you into the main valley.
The canyon was named by the Rainbow-Chasers (late 1800's gold seekers) who had been just about everywhere else, and missed out on good claims in the Sierras or the Nevada silver lodes. There are many exploratory shafts, and several miners made a living here during the depression of the 1930's.
The southern trail begins on the Redrock-Randsburg road at 5.6 miles north of its intersection with Highway 14. The GPS coordinates are N35o 21.672', W117o53.943. You'll proceed north, and enter the canyon about a mile up the trail.
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The canyon trail gets real exciting. There are numerous rock hazards, and a few places where you'll be next to sandstone cliffs that 'exfoliate' a little too often for comfort; the jeep-size boulders that have bounded down the cliffs make this a place you really don't want to hang out at too long. But, off to the right and left, magnificent vistas of colorful cliffs and rock outcroppings make the trip worthwhile.
At about 4 miles from the pavement you will encounter a small stream that often has water, and the Cudahy camp. To your left is roaring ridge, a place where the wind doesn't seem to ever stop.
Beyond this point, the canyon trail widens, and access is easy. At 8 miles from pavement, there'll be an intersection with a signpost. Bear left to go to Highway 14 -- you'' come out at Hart's place, a total of 15 miles from where you left the pavement.
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By turning right at the signpost, however, you will get to Burro Schmidt's tunnel. This is an easy wheel. The Schmidt camp is at GPS coordinates N35o 24.673', W117o52.062', and there are signs along the way for directions.
Trail and destination list Main Index
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