Mojave Desert Peaks: Hiking the Crown of the California Desert

Experience the Best Mountain Hikes of California’s Mojave Desert

With a total protected area of 9.1 million acres, the Mojave Desert is one of the best-preserved ecosystems in the United States and a formidable playground for hiking, mountaineering, and backpacking. Mojave Desert Peaks describes 130 peak climbs selected among 41 mountain ranges to celebrate this region’s remarkable geological, botanical, and historical diversity, and its breathtaking landscapes.

The hikes range from easy to strenuous and appeal to both beginners and seasoned hikers. Each description emphasizes the area’s scenic beauty and provides information on road access, navigational directions, distances and elevations to key waypoints, and natural and human history. This guidebook also gives valuable tips on desert hiking. Illustrated with 100 computer-generated topographic maps, five general maps for regional orientation, and 160 photographs, it covers Death Valley National Park, Joshua Tree National Park, Mojave National Preserve, Mojave Trails National Monument, Castle Mountains National Monument, and 12 designated wilderness areas.