Mojave National Preserve - Scenic Vistas

Mojave National Preserve is a land of scenic vistas, from Soda Dry Lake in the west to Piute Gorge in the east, Clark Mountain in the north to the Granite Mountains in the south. Everywhere, visitors are surrounded by vast and intriguing views; the following include some of the most spectacular. The general topography may be best described as “basin and range,” and, indeed, from almost anywhere in the preserve one can observe at lease one, and in many places several striking mountain ranges. The New York Mountains, located in the extreme northeast corner of the preserve, contain the Castle Peaks, distinct spires of tower-like peaks easily visible from Morning Star Mine Road, Ivanpah Road, Nipton Road, Cima Road, and even as far away as I-15. In the southwest corner of the preserve lie the Granite Mountains, a range of white rock rising up out of the surrounding desert. The Granite Mountains are visible from Kelbaker Road and I-40. Clark Mountain, the highest point in the preserve at 7929 feet, may be viewed from I-15 and Excelsior Mine Road. The subtle shadings of Pinto Mountain can be appreciated from Black Canyon Road, a dirt road that, with a little patience, can easily be navigated by passenger cars. Mountain ranges are not the only picturesque vistas that Mojave National Preserve has to offer. Soda Dry Lake, located on the preserve’s western boundary, is an eerily deserted landscape of white alkaline soils that most plants cannot tolerate. The mirage-like qualities of the dry lake can be viewed from Baker and I-15, but are best experienced from Zzyzx Road and the California Desert Studies Center at Zzyzx. The dry lake, which is over ten miles long and is the largest playa in the east Mojave, may even fill up with water during periods of heavy rainfall. Another eerie landscape of Mojave National Preserve may be found within the Cinder Cones Natural National Landmark. The 32 cinder cones and black basalt of the many lava flows, visible and accessible from Kelbaker Road, suggest a lunar landscape. Kelso Dunes and the Devil’s Playground provide yet another surreal vista. The dunes and sand fields, part of one of the most extensive dune fields in the West, bring to mind the shifting sands of the Sahara. Kelso Dunes may be observed from Kelso Depot, Kelbaker Road, and the Kelso Dunes Trail access road. In addition, a hike up to the top of the dunes provides access to a panoramic view of the surrounding desert. The dunes are best viewed at sunrise and sunset, when the low angle of the sun’s rays tint the dunes various shades of pink and blue. Piute Gorge is accessible only via four-wheel-drive roads, but is well worth the trip. This deep gorge contains Piute Spring, which in turn feeds Piute Creek, one of the preserve’s few perennial streams, as well as the ruins of Fort Piute. The lush plant life associated with this permanent source of water is an unexpected surprise in the deep desert. The Joshua Tree forest of Cima Dome, while not exactly lush, is the world’s tallest and densest. The bizarrely shaped Joshua trees blanket the gentle slopes of Cima Dome, and are a sight not to be missed. Cima Dome, and its associated “forest” are best viewed from Cima Road and Kelso-Cima Road.