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Osceola Ditch Trail
A short 0.6-mile hike that leads to the Osceola Ditch which was dug to transport water to aid in gold mining in the late 1800s.
Plan Around Osceola Ditch Trail
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Use this detail page to confirm that the stop is worth it, then carry that decision into a trip draft while the park context is still fresh.
Osceola Ditch Trail Details
Once gold was discovered in this area back in 1872, it took very little time for people to figure out how to harvest it from the rock. Due to natural erosion, you didn't need to do much to access the gold. However, in order to pan for it properly, water was necessary. Water, the "liquid gold" of the desert, was hard to come by, so the miners dug a ditch to divert the water from the creeks and bring it by their digging sites. This first ditch was so successful that they decided to dig another. However, a couple dry winters and an unimpressive increase in sales meant that the second ditch was abandoned. Lucky for us, it is the basis of one of the park's historic hiking trails. You can access the Osceola Ditch Trail just 4.7 miles up Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive. The easy 0.6-mile hike leads to the Osceola Ditch, at which point you can continue to walk down the ditch for another 5 miles until you can turn around and come back the way you came, or you can just explore the part of the ditch closest to the trail. Whichever you choose, you can just imagine the ditch filling with water and carrying the hopes of the miners through the park.
Difficulty
Low
Distance
0.6 miles
Estimated time
10 min
Region
N/A
Nearby Parks Around Osceola Ditch Trail
Compare nearby parks around Osceola Ditch Trail when deciding whether to expand the route after this stop.
Nearby Points of Interest Around Osceola Ditch Trail
Use nearby POIs to quickly expand your options beyond Osceola Ditch Trail while the map context is still fresh.
0.7 mi away
Mather Overlook
A stunning scenic overlook located about 8 miles up the Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive. A great place to watch a sunset over the valley.
1.3 mi away
Lehman Creek Trail
This difficult 8-mile hike rewards you with great views, plants, topographical changes and plenty of opportunities to see wildlife.
1.4 mi away
Upper Lehman Creek Campground
A 22-site campground open mid-April through September. A perfect spot to camp on your way up the Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive.
1.7 mi away
Lower Lehman Creek Campground
With campsites right on the water and a giant night sky with millions of stars, who could ask for more?
2.1 mi away
Wheeler Peak Summit Trail
If you are a serious hiker, this is a can't-miss trail. The most spectacular views in the park are accessible by this difficult 8.5-mile trail.
