Mastodon Peak, Joshua Tree CA


• 4-star hike
• 3 mile loop
• Moderate | Gain 410 feet
• Twentynine Palms, CA | Joshua Tree
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Here’s an updated alt text that includes the rocky peak: Alt text: A solo hiker wearing a wide-brimmed hat and outdoor gear uses trekking poles to navigate a rugged desert trail. Behind them rises a prominent rocky peak, framed by sunlit boulders and sparse dry shrubs under a clear blue sky.
Age is not a barrier to some hiking Mastodon Peak.

Desert scrubland, summit views stretching to the Salton Sea, and mine ruins perched on a ridgeline. The Mastodon Peak Loop delivers these elements across a short 2.6-mile trail in Joshua Tree's southern region.

The route begins at the Cottonwood Spring Trailhead, where hikers head counter-clockwise along the Lost Palms Oasis Trail through flat desert scrubland. Creosote bush, ocotillo, and cholla cactus populate the landscape as the hard-packed trail ascends gradually eastward for 0.7 miles to the first junction.

Turning left onto the Mastodon Peak Trail, the route transitions from open terrain into bouldered sections characteristic of the park. The climb up Mastodon Peak's flank proves manageable due to occasional steps carved directly into the sandstone. Combined with some switchbacks, the trail to the saddle is more accessible than it may first appear.
⬤ 4★ Mastodon Peak Loop   2.5 mi loop, moderate, gain 410 ft
GPX File · AllTrails · Directions GPX?
 $  NPS entrance fee

Mastodon Peak's flat saddle provides hikers with expansive views across the southern portions of Joshua Tree National Park. The Eagle Mountains rise to the east, the Cottonwood Mountains stretch to the west, and on clear days, the Salton Sea appears to the south. Those who continue to the summit follow a short spur trail that requires a modest amount of rock scrambling. Early explorers apparently named the formation for its resemblance to a mastodon's head and trunk, though it can be difficult to see the likeness today.

Just past the summit junction, the loop trail passes the remains of Mastodon Mine. This gold mine was originally established in the 1930s, though like most of the many abandoned mines in the park, it never achieved any real commercial success. The main shaft descends 45 feet along three parallel quartz veins, but the shaft is unfortunately out of reach to visitors due to safety concerns.

Two hikers in sun-protective gear and backpacks trek through a rocky desert trail surrounded by boulders, yucca plants, and dry shrubs. The terrain is rugged and sunlit, with a clear blue sky overhead.
The short climb follows a flat section through the valley floor.

The return portion of the loop descends west through a series of desert washes. These sandy sections are easier downhill than up, making the counter-clockwise direction the more practical choice. The trail crosses and follows multiple drainages, with occasional markers guiding hikers through wash crossings. Near the end of the trail, non-native eucalyptus trees mark the remains of the former Winona Mill site, which processed ore during the 1930s and 1940s. A final stretch of trail parallels Cottonwood Spring Road back to the trailhead.

⚠ Heat Safety Tips: Shade is extremely limited on this trail. Stay safe in hot weather by knowing the forecast and planning to avoid the hottest parts of the day. Recognize danger signs and turn back when necessary. Wear lightweight, non-cotton clothing and head coverings. Use sunblock and UV lip balm. Bring more water than you think you need, coupled with salt and electrolyte tablets.

Split image showing desert exploration and wildlife. On the left, a person in a blue shirt and wide-brimmed hat sits on a large rock, gazing toward distant rugged mountains in an arid landscape with sparse vegetation. On the right, a close-up of a brown and gray lizard basking on a sunlit rock, its textured scales and shadow sharply defined
Contemplating views from the summit of Mastodon Peak.

Entrance to an abandoned mine shaft built into a rocky hillside, reinforced with weathered wooden beams and surrounded by rusted iron bars and metal grates. The dark interior is filled with debris, while the layered rock formations suggest geological activity and mineral presence.
Mastodon Mine, beyond the peak on a counter-clockwise circuit.

A rocky desert hill rises prominently under a mostly clear sky with wispy clouds. The foreground features scattered boulders, dry shrubs, and desert plants like yuccas, set in an arid and rugged terrain.
Does this peak look like a mastodon to you?

Tangents:
• Official: National Park Service
• AllTrails Public: Mastodon Peak
• Facebook Group: Comment, Follow Us


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