Water Canyon is located about a 20 minute walk east of Panamint City. As the name implies, there is water here, and quite a bit of it. The water comes in the form of a stream which flows through the canyon, keeping the trees and plants green. This is a very pretty and serene place, and you will be all alone here as long as burros aren't hanging around when you visit. On overnight trips to Panamint City, I like to hike over to Water Canyon and spend time relaxing in the peaceful setting. There are also some interesting things to check out here-- including some old run-down cabins, an apple tree (look for apples in October), various mining relics, an old water tank and pipes used to catch water, and the Panamint City weather station. One of the great day hikes from Panamint City is to take the trail here to Water Canyon, and then continue south to Panamint Pass up Frenchman's Canyon. Eventually, the trail disappears, but if you have good navigational skills, you will find your way.
View of Water Canyon from high above along the Wyoming-Hemlock Connector Trail:
Following the overgrown old road or trail which connects Panamint City with Water Canyon:
Machinery for water pumping left behind from when mining operations ceased:
The famous green water tank which collects water for use in Panamint City. The tank is in between Panamint City and Water Canyon:
The tank is always completely full. Run-off water is dripping out of the overflow valve at the top of the tank:
A pot or some kind of container can usually be found below the drip to save the extra water for animals or hikers passing by who want to pump water:
The source of the water is Slaughterhouse Spring which is where these pipes begin:
Looking back at the green water tank and the smokestack of the smelter in Panamint City:
The next two pictures show wildflowers that were blooming along the old pipe leading into Water Canyon:
Looking up into Frenchman's Canyon at Panamint Pass:
As you come to the end of the road, you can see the weather station. To reach the weather station, you have to continue into Water Canyon and then look for the old road which continues up to Panamint Pass:
On one of our several hikes up to Panamint Pass, we stopped by the weather station and took a closer look:
In the next five pictures, notice some views of the pretty flowing water and old pipes laying around:
The next four pictures show some of the mining relics which remain here:
The Panamint City apple tree features in the next three pictures. Apples are ripe and ready to eat in October on most years. I can verify from personal experience that the apples are delicious:
For the next seven pictures, we are showing various views of the structures, vehicles, and ruins found at Thompson Camp in Water Canyon:
Beyond the old Chevy, the trail continues through some overgrown brush:
It's worth it to continue on in between the overgrown trees:
Because the path leads to this water tank which can be used to cool off. Here is a picture of the water tank taken the first time we found it in 2006:
And here is the water tank as seen in 2011. Notice that branches have become overgrown and covered the tank:
An abundance of water is pouring out of the water tank:
The next three pictures show how the trail continues past the water tank into a pretty section of plants and flowers which are all partially submerged in a layer of water:
A lost outhouse that can be found somewhere in Water Canyon:
View up towards the Wyoming Mine from Water Canyon:
And the view up towards Sentinel Peak from the same spot:
Steve at Thompson Camp in Water Canyon in May of 2011: