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Beale Cliff 
Castle Peaks 


Mojave National Preserve

Submitted By: John Hegyes on May 5, 2008
Administrator: Art Morimitsu
Elevation: 2,124 feet
Latitude: 35.0121  Longitude: -115.6550 
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Kelso Dunes, Mojave National Preserve. March 2008


Description 

This is a large area in the eastern Mojave Desert. Information about the Preserve can be found here: Mojave National Preserve

The largest conglomeration of rock is in the Granite Mountains, with rock similar to Joshua Tree NP, however climbing is prohibited because the area is administered as a research facility. Information can be found at these links:
University of California Natural Reserve System
Sweeny Granite Mountains Desert Research Center

Other rocks can be found in lesser capacities at Teutonia Peak and the Castle Peaks. Keen eyes will find a great deal of boulders in the Providence and New York Mountains.

The Preserve has a visitor center a Kelso in an old railroad depot. Otherwise services are pretty limited so top off your gas tank before entering the park. Fuel can be found along the interstates at Barstow, Baker, Cima Road and Primm.

The Preserve allows primitive car-camping along any dirt road. There are also two campgrounds - one at Hole-in-the-Wall and the other at Mid-Hills.

Mitchell Caverns in the Providence Mountains State Park is within the boundaries of the Preserve and has a worthwhile tour through limestone caverns. There is quite a lot of rock waiting for some scrambling in the hills above the Caverns.


Getting There 

Bounded on the north by Interstate 15 and the south by Interstate 40 access to the edges of the Preserve is not difficult. The interior roads are of mixed quality, being potholed asphalt or dirt.


The Classics

Mountain Project's determination of some of the classic, most popular, highest rated routes for Mojave National Preserve:
Dove Benchmark   Easy 5th     Trad, Alpine, 1 pitch, 30 feet   Castle Peaks
Disaster at the Colorado   5.9     Trad, Alpine, 1 pitch, 200 feet   Beale Cliff
Browse More Classics in Mojave National Preserve

Photos of Mojave National Preserve Slideshow Add Photo
Eastern Mojave road sign.

Eastern Mojave road sign.

Crags of the Granite Mts.

Crags of the Granite Mts.

Morning light and Joshua Trees, Mojave National Preserve.

Morning light and Joshua Trees, Mojave National Pr...

The world's tallest thermometer (Baker, CA).

The world's tallest thermometer (Baker, CA).

Kelso Depot, Mojave NP.

Kelso Depot, Mojave NP.

Granite Mountains-storm.<br />Photo by Blitzo.

Granite Mountains-storm.
Photo by Blitzo.


Providence Mountains, Mojave NP.

Providence Mountains, Mojave NP.

Kelso Depot and approaching train from the Providence Mountains, Mojave NP.

Kelso Depot and approaching train from the Provide...

Kelso Depot, Mojave NP.

Kelso Depot, Mojave NP.

The majestic Castle Peaks, and another lonely winding road....<br /><br />In the Mojave National preserve near Malpais Spring. Malpais translates to bad country? I've see nothing but beauty in the MNP. It's all good.<br /><br />Taken 10/01/08.

The majestic Castle Peaks, and another lonely wind...

Life at Malpais Spring.<br /><br />Taken 10/01/08

Life at Malpais Spring.

Taken 10/01/08


Looking out at Hart Peak from Malpais Spring. <br /><br />I'm lichen it!<br /><br />Taken 10/01/08

Looking out at Hart Peak from Malpais Spring.

I'...


The scenic route.<br />Follow the Coyote Melon road....<br /><br />On our way to scope out some crags in the New York Mountains 10/21/08

The scenic route.
Follow the Coyote Melon road.......


Rock art in the Preserve

Rock art in the Preserve

Barnwell windmill by moonlight

Barnwell windmill by moonlight