Rattlesnake/Mohawk Loop
DISTANCE: 5.5 miles
GAIN/LOSS: 1000 feet (approx)
HIGH POINT: 3220 feet
LOW POINT: 2210 feet
BEST TIME OF YEAR: Late October to April
This hike begins just north of Great Falls Basin at the mouth of Rattlesnake
Canyon on the east side of the Argus Range in Searles Valley. It involves following dirt
roads, a narrow trail used by motorcyclists, some off-trail hiking down a
wash, and some more dirt road. There are several opportunities to vary the
route slightly with a number of interesting sites which can be visited to
extend the mileage slightly.
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East entrance of Mohawk Mine (click to enlarge)
IMAGES:
Rattlesnake/Mohawk Loop (Dec 2012 & Dec 2009)
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TRAILHEAD: Drive approximately 2.8 miles north from the Inyo County
line marker on Trona Road (Highway 178) and turn left onto P28. There is a
BLM information board located here. Continue on P28 (also signed in spots as
GFB) for about 1.7 miles and then veer right onto P27. After about one-tenth of a
mile veer right again onto P21 and continue on P21 for about nine-tenths of
a mile (passing by P25 and P29 in the process) and take a left at P24.
Follow P24 for 1.3 miles (passing through an intersection with P26) until an
unmarked camping area with large rocks is reached. Park here. (While it is
possible to continue for about a half mile on P24, there is no advantage to
be gained by doing so and this is the most convenient parking spot.)
It is worth mentioning that turning left on either P25 or P29 will take you
to P26, which will get you to P24. However, the most direct route to the
trailhead bypasses these roads. It's also possible to continue on P27 and
get to P26, but that route is even less direct than the routes involving P25
or P29.
HIKE DIRECTIONS: From the trailhead hike west to the end of P24
(approximately a half mile). From there find the trail heading to the
north up Rattlesnake Canyon. This trail is usually easy to find since
there are likely to be motorcycle tire tracks on this route. Follow the
trail to the Mohawk Mine. (The tunnel here is actually the west entrance to
the mine.) Follow the road heading east from the Mohawk Mine. At
approximately 1.6 miles into the hike an unmarked intersection is reached.
Stay right (east) and hike by the east entrance of the Mohawk Mine. A little
ways below the mine P19 begins. Follow P19 for about a quarter of a mile and turn
right (east) and follow this unmarked road to where it ends at the top of a
wash. Follow the wash (see note) for over a mile and eventually you get to P26. Turn
right (south) on P26 and follow it to P24 and then follow P24 for about
eight-tenths of a mile back to the trailhead.
NOTE: This section of the hike is off-trail. There are a few minor obstacles
that must be negotiated. Only one is likely to require the use of the hands.
That being said, anyone who does not feel comfortable dealing with small
obstacles should not take this route.
Suggested Variations:
1. Spur Road South: Just before reaching the wash at about three miles, you
will pass by a road that takes off to the south. Following this road adds
about a miles (half mile each way) to the loop.
2. Homewood View: Instead of turning east at 1.75, turn west and head up to
top of ridge for view of the Crow Canyon portion of Homewood Canyon. Loop
north a short distance and then turn east to resume loop. This adds about a
half mile to full loop.
3. Peak 3523': After turning east from P19 veer north and follow faint road which
heads up to high point to the north. The road to the top of this peak is a
little over a mile each way.
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4. Veto Mine: Take road leading to Peak 3523', but continue through gap and
down wash. Veer north towards Veto Mine. Once done exploring cabin and
items at this site, follow road east and then south back to trailhead. This
adds about 1.2 miles to full loop.
Click map to enlarge in new window!
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