Ubehebe Crater, Death Valley National Park, California
Hike Statistics:
Distance: 2.6 miles
Elevation Gain: 1,390 feet
Highlights: Ubehebe Crater descent, Ubehebe Crater rim, Little Hebe crater
About this Hike
Death Valley is a desolate, vast desert that houses many unique ecosystems and evidence of past volcanic activity. Ubehebe Crater is a distinct, dramatic example of the latter. Located in the far north of Death Valley National Park – about an hour’s drive from the visitor center – this 500-foot-deep, 2,000-year-old crater is a marvel to behold.
There is plenty of enjoyment in traversing the rim of Ubehebe Crater and seeing its neighbor, Little Hebe. However, what made this one of the most epic hikes in the national parks – for me – was descending into Ubehebe. From the parking lot, it’s easy to leap and bound down the ashy slope leading into the crater. The descent is a blast, as every step feels like a gentle sink into a pile of marshmallows. At the base of the crater, you can enjoy the evidence of past volcanic activity up close. Colorful rocks, an ashy floor, and the steep rim walls around you all create a stunning view.
The climb out of the rim is much less fun, but still an exciting part of the journey. As you trudge through the ash, you take 1 step backward for every 2 steps forward. Over 500 feet of climbing finally brings you to the crater rim, at which point you can begin the easy traverse around Ubehebe.
Death Valley offers many exciting hikes across its diverse regions. If you’re looking for other hikes in the park, check out Golden Canyon, Telescope Peak, and Darwin Falls. Also, you can check out my article 18 Memorable Things to Do in Death Valley
