Mojave Road

Dates

April 29 - May 2, 2026 (3 nights / 4 days)

About

The Mojave Road is one of America’s most historic overland routes, stretching 147 miles across the Mojave Desert from Needles to Barstow. Originally a Native American trade route used by the Chemehuevi and Mojave peoples for centuries, it later became a vital military wagon road in the 1850s connecting Fort Whipple in Arizona to Camp Cady in California.

This is a pure overland adventure - we’ll be tent camping under the desert stars for 3 nights, fully immersed in the rugged beauty and rich history of the Mojave.

Native American History

The Mojave Road follows ancient paths carved by indigenous peoples long before European contact. Along the way, we’ll encounter:

• Petroglyphs and rock art documenting thousands of years of human presence
• Sites along historic trade routes where tribes exchanged shells, obsidian, and pottery
• The traditional lands of the Chemehuevi and Mojave tribes who navigated this harsh landscape for generations

Weather Outlook (Apr 29 - May 2)

Late spring in the Preserve means warm days, chilly nights at elevation, and wind.

• Daytime highs: 68-83°F (20-28°C) depending on elevation. Expect the low end at Mid Hills (approx. 5,000 ft) and the high end on the Soda Lake flats (approx. 930 ft).
• Nighttime lows: 46-55°F (8-13°C). The coldest night will be at Mid Hills; the warmest at Soda Lake.
• Wind: Steady westerlies averaging 14 mph with afternoon gusts up to 25-35 mph. Expect the worst on exposed flats and ridgelines.
• Rain note: There is a chance of light rain around April 28. If it rains, the Soda Lake bed will be slick — scout it on foot before committing your tires to the silt.

4-Day Itinerary

Day 1: The Ascent and the Ruins (April 29)

Climbing from the Colorado River into the high desert.

• 09:00 AM — Final fuel top-off in Thalypo, NV
• Beale’s Crossing — The historic eastern terminus of the Mojave Road
• Fort Piute and Petroglyphs — Ruins of a Civil War-era military outpost; hike to ancient petroglyphs along Piute Creek
• Night 1 Camp: Piute Range — High-desert camping with views of the Colorado River valley

Day 2: The High Desert Heart (April 30)

Crossing the massive Joshua Tree forests of Lanfair Valley.

• Indian Well Petroglyphs — Hundreds of petroglyphs on desert-varnished rhyolite boulders near a historic water source
• Penny Can Tree — A longstanding overlander tradition; toss a coin for trail luck
• Rock Spring and Bert Smith’s Cabin — A major historic watering hole and the stone “Rock House” built in 1929
• Government Holes — Historic military water stop and site of one of the last gunfights of the old West (1925)
• Cedar Canyon — The route’s high point at approx. 5,174 ft
• Hole-in-the-Wall / Rings Loop (Side Trip) — A 1.5-mile loop through Banshee Canyon with iron-ring handholds on steep volcanic rock
• Night 2 Camp: Mid Hills — Developed BLM campsite ($12-20)

Day 3: Cinders and Silica (May 1)

Descending into the Cima Volcanic Range.

• Cima-Death Valley Mine (Side Trip) — Easy drive through Joshua Trees to a 1906 silver mining settlement with standing buildings; exterior viewing only
• Marl Spring — Historic watering hole where the Army established Camp Marl Springs in 1867
• Mojave Road Mailbox — Sign the guestbook, then find the “Frog Garden” shrine nearby
• The Lava Tube (Side Trip) — A subterranean cave formed by ancient lava flows; best visited midday for sunbeams through the skylights
• Aiken Cinder Mine (Side Trip) — Drive into an excavated cinder cone volcano with bright red ground and abandoned mining equipment
• Seventeen Mile Point — Great lunch spot with views of the Cinder Cones
• Night 3 Camp: Soda Lake Edge — Camp on the eastern shore of the dry lakebed for an unobstructed sunset

Day 4: The Monument and the Canyon (May 2)

Navigating the alkali flats and the final canyon.

• Traveler’s Monument — A massive rock pile in the middle of Soda Lake; carry a rock and add it to the pile
• Zzyzx / Soda Springs (Side Trip) — Ruins of a 1940s health resort and the Lake Tuendae nature trail
• Mojave Megaphone — A mysterious rusted iron structure bolted to a hilltop; a short scramble to reach it
• Spooky Canyon — A tight, dark slot canyon in Afton Canyon with 100-foot walls; bring a headlamp
• Mojave River Crossing and Manix Wash — Final stretch to the I-15

Fuel and Logistics

• There are no gas stations on the Mojave Road. The nearest fuel is in Laughlin, NV (east end) and Baker or Barstow (west end). Top off before departure and bring at least 5 gallons of extra fuel per vehicle.
• Return Route: From the finish at Manix Wash, Barstow is approx. 35 miles west on I-15.

Trip Details

Trip Type	Pure Overland (tent camping only)
Duration	3 nights / 4 days
Terrain	Dirt, sand, rocky washes
Difficulty	Easy to Moderate
Meeting Point	Goffs, CA

What to Bring

• Tent and sleeping gear – No lodging available; we camp where we stop
• Water – Minimum 8 gallons per person (2 gal/day for 4 days); no water sources on trail
• Food and cooking supplies – Plan for 4 days; high-protein, low-prep meals work best
• Recovery gear – Tow straps, shovel, air compressor
• Full-size spare tire – Essential for remote desert travel
• Navigation – GPS with offline maps; cell service is extremely limited
• Firewood – No collecting in the Preserve; bring your own wood
• Headlamp – Required for the Lava Tube and Spooky Canyon

Vehicle Requirements

High-clearance 4WD vehicle required. The road includes sandy washes, rocky sections, and potential water crossings. Make sure your vehicle is in good mechanical condition and prepared for remote desert driving.

Questions?

Come visit our monthly club meetings to discuss details and coordinate trip logistics.