Lonesome Highway — Owens Valley Floor to Saline Valley via Waucoba Mountain
Over Waucoba into Death Valley's forgotten basin.
While everyone is bottlenecked on US-395 below, this route peels off north of Big Pine and climbs into the Inyo Mountains on a dirt road that most drivers never notice. The Waucoba-Saline Valley Road North gains serious elevation past the Joshua tree transition zone into pinyon-juniper before cresting a high bench with a view that stretches from the White Mountains to the distant Panamint Range. Eureka Valley and the Saline Valley floor open up below you — one of the most isolated desert basins in the lower 48 — before the road drops to the warm springs at Saline Valley floor. The Lippincott Road junction is the bail-out decision point; from there you’re committing to Death Valley National Park’s most remote interior.
High clearance 4WD is required; the descent into Saline Valley has loose rock and exposed shelf sections that reward a locked differential. This is a dry-season-only route — October through April is ideal, with summer heat capable of being life-threatening. The nearest gas is Big Pine or Lone Pine. Carry at minimum five gallons of extra water per person. Dispersed camping is permitted on BLM land on the Inyo side; the Saline Valley Warm Springs area has primitive camping managed by Death Valley NPS. No cell service for the entire run.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Difficult |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry, High Clearance, Overland Route |
| Surface | Dirt, Gravel, Mixed, Rock |
| Features | Camping, High Altitude, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 62 mi / 99.8 km |
| Duration | 1-2 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 7200 ft |
| Best season | October-April |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 4WD |
| Nearest town | Big Pine, California |
| Land manager | Bureau of Land Management — Bishop Field Office / Death Valley National Park |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | No |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | nps.gov |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
| Copy both for Google Maps directionsClick to copy the directions URL · or open it directly in a new tab | |
| Find on Google | Search on Google → |
Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock Tacoma or 4Runner handle this trail, or do I need a lifted rig?
A stock high-clearance 4WD like a Tacoma or 4Runner can make it, but the rocky descent off Waucoba Mountain will test your skid plates and approach angles. A lift and all-terrain tires give meaningful margin. Body-on-frame with lockers is better if you're running it solo.
Is this trail passable in summer?
Summer is the worst time to run this route. The Saline Valley floor can hit 120°F, and a breakdown out there in July is a life-threatening situation, not an inconvenience. Stick to October through April — late fall and early spring are the sweet spot.
Do I need a permit to drive through or camp in Saline Valley?
No permit is required to drive the route. The Saline Valley portion falls within Death Valley National Park, so the standard park entry fee applies if you're coming from that side. Dispersed camping is allowed in the BLM sections; follow leave-no-trace rules and don't camp within a quarter mile of water sources.
What's the hardest section and what should I actually expect?
The descent off Waucoba Mountain toward Saline Valley is the crux — loose rock, off-camber shelf road, and some tight switchbacks with exposure. Take it slow, stay wide on the outside, and don't let momentum make decisions for you. Aired-down tires (20–25 psi) make a real difference on the rocky sections.
How far is the nearest gas from the trailhead, and is 62 miles enough range to worry about?
Big Pine is your last reliable fuel stop before the start. The full route is 62 miles of backcountry with zero services, and if you exit into Saline Valley and loop out toward Panamint Springs, you're adding significant distance. Start with a full tank and carry a minimum 5-gallon fuel reserve — this is not a trail to run tight on gas.
Trail track
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