Pass Canyon 3.0

Travel scenic country along a wilderness boundary then drop into a nice narrow canyon.

This trail makes a loop west of the Black Mountains, north of Oatman.  It is an enjoyable trail with only a few obstacles in Pass Canyon itself.

In the past it was possible to visit the old site of Moss Mine, the mine primarily responsible for the development of Kingman.  There is a new version of Moss Mine being developed by Northern Vertex Mining Corporation, and the area is off limits.  See details.

We did this trail in a counterclockwise direction, but it can be done either way.

There is a GPS - gpx track file at the bottom of the page.

Pass Canyon

Travel a few miles up wide and gentle Mossback Wash.  Climb out of the wash and travel north for several miles along the Mount Nutt Wilderness boundary.

Wash at start

Mount Nutt Wilderness

The northern reach of this trip is on the edge of Secret Pass Canyon.  It is a beautiful canyon that was open to Jeeping before the Mount Nutt Wilderness was established.  You can see that irresponsible people are driving around the wilderness boundary fence and going to the canyon illegally.  Please do not do this.

A road goes north from here to the Panty Tree Stripper Pole on Ridges and Secret Pass 2.5.

Turn southwest and head for Pass Canyon.  There is one loose hill to go down a mile or so beyond the turn.  It appeared this Blazer tried to go up the hill and did quite a bit of damage to the body and underside.

Headed for Pass Canyon

Loose hill

There is a ledge and a few small obstacles just as you enter the canyon.  There is a bypass to the right of these obstacles but we did not explore it.

​Very enjoyable trip down the canyon.

Ledge entering Pass Canyon

Going down Pass Canyon

There is a serious obstacle with a bypass as you get into the narrower part of the canyon.  The bypass is not too bad.  There is a spur off the bypass leading to higher ground above the canyon.  Looked challenging and fun, but being we were alone, we did not explore it.

Bypass

Bypass spur

The wash has made huge undercuts in the canyon wall.

You might as well turn where this track ends.  It is a hundred yards to a spot too narrow for a Jeep, and there is no good place to turn around.

Undercut

Too narrow

After you turn around come back to the hill leading up out of the canyon.  There is a nasty ledge at the top of this hill.  Be cautious as it is very slippery with loose gravel on top of the rock.  Our front end rotated downhill a couple feet and the pucker factor was really high.

​If climbing this ledge concerns you, the trail can be done in a clockwise direction so you will be going downhill.

We saw a burro family on our way out.

Ledge coming out of canyon

Burro family

Page updated 2017.

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pass_canyon_3.0.gpx
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