The report for Owlshead Canyon continues where the Talc Canyon report left off.  I had just backpacked overnight, camping at a spot directly in the middle of Talc Canyon and Owlshead Canyon.  The Google Earth map I have included below should give you a better understanding of how and where I did this.  Upon waking up on the 2nd day, I took a daypack and hiked deep into Owlshead Canyon.  Using the 7.5 minute topographical map, I was able to get as close to the head of Owlshead Canyon as possible.  There are at least two major splits in Owlshead Canyon.  The key to staying in the main canyon is to veer right (northwest) at each of these junctions.  Of the five major officially named canyons in the northern Owlsheads (Talc, Owlshead, Contact, Granite, and Through), so far I have found Owlshead Canyon to be the most interesting.  Let me tell you why.  Early on, the canyon is very wide and somewhat boring.  I actually got to the point where I was wondering what I was doing here.  But, after the 2nd major canyon split, the canyon narrows down and gets extremely interesting.  There is a very pretty slot-like are to walk through.  Next comes a series of intimidating dry falls which are nearly impossible to bypass.  It took me over an hour to bypass the first major dry fall, and looking back I'm still not sure if I should have done it, as it was definitely on the risky side.  A short time later, I reached the second major dry fall.  I was unable to bypass this one, however I did manage to hike above it and get a view of the magnificent third dry fall off in the distance.  All three dry falls were incredibly awesome, and so was upper Owlshead Canyon.

One thing I should mention about this hike is that I originally had intended to loop hike Owlshead Canyon and Contact Canyon, thus covering both in one day.  However, as I hiked into Owlshead Canyon I realized I would have to make a choice.  I could either complete the loop and cover both canyons half-heartedly.  Or, I could give my full time and attention to Owlshead Canyon and forget about Contact Canyon until another day.  It was a tough choice, but I decided to go with the 2nd option and just focus all of my energy on Owlshead Canyon for this day.  And I'm extremely glad that I did.  It was definitely the right decision.  Just past the point where I would have needed to take a side canyon to loop over into Contact Canyon, is where the very best scenery of Owlshead Canyon started.  Had I looped the canyons in an effort to cover both in one day, I would have missed out on a lot in Owlshead Canyon and would never have viewed the canyon the same.  I would have ended up thinking it was a disappointing canyon, whereas it was actually amazing.  Flexibility is the key, and on this day I made a very wise decision to drop the loop hike over into Contact Canyon.
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The first two pictures show the drainage I stayed in to wrap around to the mouth of Owlshead Canyon from my camping spot:
Looking back towards Telescope Peak from the mouth of Owlshead Canyon:
Looking at the back side of Shoreline Butte from the mouth of Owlshead Canyon:
Just about to the beginning of the canyon.  I knew Owlshead Canyon would have to be somewhat special since it was the canyon named for the mountain range, so anticipation was high:
Looking up the hillside at the beginning of the canyon:
First view into Owlshead Canyon.  The initial impression is that is is potentially wide and boring for a long time:
These next three pictures show some views of the hillsides and mountains contained in the early canyon:
Picture of Steve looking back out the mouth of Owlshead Canyon:
This picture shows the first major junction in Owlshead Canyon up ahead.  A loop hiker heading for Contact Canyon would have to turn to the left, while somebody staying in Owlshead Canyon would stay to the right:
More of the early scenery in Owlshead Canyon, prior to reaching the first major junction:
The second major junction is now up ahead.  Another opportunity exists to turn left and look for a route into Contact Canyon.
Steve analyzing the 7.5 minute topographical to make sure he is staying in the main canyon:
Passing reddish colored rocks on the left side of the canyon:
At the second major junction shown here, I made the very wise decision to stay in Owlshead Canyon by turning to the right.  If I had chosen differently, I would have missed some amazing sights, as you will see in my pictures below:
Heading for a narrower section as I made my final decision and stayed in the main canyon, thus leaving Contact Canyon for another day and trip:
The is a side canyon off to the south.  Just past this side canyon, the first major junction is reached:
Almost to the second major junction now:
One thing about the 5 major named northern Owlshead Canyons is that they all seem to have the best scenery in between the mid-point and head of the canyons:
The canyon may look like it ends up ahead, but it actually cuts through to the left with hardly any elevation gain:
This is what it looked like just around the bend.  Notice the small caves visible in the next two pictures:
Owlshead Canyon had narrowed down quite a bit and it would stay that way for the rest of the hike:
Entering the slot-like area which I was surprised to come across in Owlshead Canyon:
This is scenery in the Owlsheads at its best, with a narrow passage through the unique canyon walls:
Steve in the slot-like area of upper Owlshead Canyon:
The next two pictures show very interesting formations found on the canyon wall in the slot-like passage:
Past this spot, the canyon continued to be very pretty and interesting:
Finally, I reached this 20 foot dry fall which was totally unexpected and signaled the likely end of the hike:
Steve standing by the 20 foot 1st dry fall of Owlshead Canyon:
I first tried to bypass the dry fall on the right side.  This was looking back down towards the dry fall while trying to find a way around it:
It proved to be a bit too scary, so I next tried to bypass it on the left side.  While going up, I took this picture of the dry fall and also found some rock cairns a previous hiker had set up.  I ended up making it through using this route, but it's definitely not safe:
Looking back down the 20 foot 1st dry fall from above it:
And looking back down canyon from the same spot, wondering how in the world I was going to get back down later:
Nevertheless, it was time to continue heading up canyon with great anticipation:
By easily climbing up to the left, I was able to bypass this boulder jam:
Notice how narrow Owlshead Canyon continued to be:
Here was another interesting boulder jam I came across.  Check out the square shape of the boulder:
Climbing up a small staircase in order to continue:
Progress is stopped once again, this time by the 18 foot 2nd dry fall of Owlshead Canyon:
Definitely another pretty dry fall, being topped by a chockstone:
It took another half an hour, but I managed to climb up on the hillside nearly parallel with the top of the dry fall.  It was not safe to bypass it, so I ended the hike here.  But this was the final amazing view I had of the 3rd dry fall off in the distance:
Here is a closer look at the 3rd dry fall.  Notice the boulder sitting precariously on top of the dry fall:
Zooming in on the 3rd dry fall. It hurt inside to have to stop the hike here, because upper Owlshead Canyon had proved to be an absolutely fascinating place.  But safety must always come first:
Looking back down upper Owlshead Canyon from the spot where I turned around:
Several hours later I had returned to camp, packed up, and was backpacking out across the Amargosa River.  This time I took off my hiking boots and walked directly through the water.  What an incredible two days:
Staying close to the wall on a beautiful morning:
Looking back down the wall at the canyon mouth:
There definitely were some high peaks on both sides of the canyon: