Ryan Mountain Trail | Joshua Tree

Ryan Mountain
in Joshua Tree National Park

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Ryan Mountain Trail Joshua Tree National Park California

Ryan Mountain offers a fairly straight forward out and back hike to a round summit at the center of Joshua Tree National Park. The 3-mile round trip trail climbs 1,075 feet up a dirt trail with numerous stone steps. The sun-exposed trail crowns a 5,457-foot mountain with an impressive panorama of surrounding jumbled rock formations and Joshua tree forests.

Slap on some sunscreen and set out southbound up the trail, slipping between pillars of tall misshapen granite. There’s a fair amount of elevation to gain and only 1.5 miles to do it in, so the trail starts climbing right away. To assist with the ascent, rocks from the surrounding landscape have been built into steps. The trail is well constructed and in great shape.

After 0.2 miles, you will come to the trail’s one and only junction. To the left, a trail extends to Sheep Pass Group Camp, an alternate starting point for the hike. Turn right to press on for the summit.

As the trail continues to climb, you will wrap around the west side of the mountain. Enjoy an excellent view to the northwest toward the Wonderland of Rocks, jumbled rock formations that define the classic Joshua Tree landscape. Further to the west and southwest, the Little San Bernardino Mountains rise over the park.

Ryan Mountain Trail
A prominent formation on the side of Ryan Mountain

A quarter-mile above the junction, the trail rounds a corner and enters a draw in the mountainside. Here you get a head-on view of an impressive rock formation on the slope of Ryan Mountain. From some angles the granite creation looks like a face, and from others it resembles praying hands. Study this feature over the next 0.45 miles as the trail maintains course for the top of the draw. Slip through a gap in the ridge line as the trail bends to the right and continues southward. To the north and east are lower false summits on Ryan Mountain. To reach the true summit, it is another 0.6 miles of hiking with 400 feet of elevation gain.

Ryan Mountain Trail
Looking back down the trail toward the Wonderland of Rocks

The top section of the trail offers new views to the north and east over Pinto Basin. By now you will have realized that Ryan Mountain Trail has some of the most panoramic views in the park, and the biggest view of all comes at the top. The trail tapers out, reaching a sign marking the 5,457-foot summit next to a pile of rocks. The lofty vantage seems to look out over every inch of Joshua Tree National Park, and beyond. On a clear day, you can gaze southwest toward Mount San Jacinto and Mount San Gorgonio. At the southwest base of Ryan Mountain, look down on Ryan Campground and the ruins of Ryan Ranch. Lost Horse Mountain rises above the other summits to the south, completing the view. Circle around the summit to take in each panoramic perspective of Joshua Tree.

When you are ready to hike back, return the way you came. it is all downhill from the summit. Back at the trailhead, walk to the west end of the parking lot where you’ll find a marker for a level path traveling a hundred feet to “Indian Cave.” Blackened rock on the ceiling of this cave-like enclosure is evidence of the park’s former inhabitants.

Joshua Tree
A cactus along Ryan Mountain Trail

To get to the trailhead: Take Park Boulevard 2.1 miles west of the intersection with Keys View Road to a turn off for Ryan Mountain on the south side of the road. There is a large parking area and a bathroom at the start of the trail.

Use the map below to create your own directions:

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Photos

These photos were taken in February of 2012. Click to enlarge.

Nearby Trails

	Barker Dam This level 1.5-mile loop visits a small foreign-looking reservoir within the Wonderland of Rocks.
	Wall Street Mill This level 1.55 to 2.15-mile hike visits a well-reserved gold mill, exploring the mining history of Joshua Tree National Park.
	Hidden Valley This one mile loop circles the interior of a small valley surrounded by tall rocks that serves as an excellent bouldering arena.
	Lost Horse Mine This 4-mile round-trip trail visits a well-preserved mine and mill.
	Inspiration Peak This 1.2-mile hike leaves the crowds at Keys View for even grander views at a 5,550-foot summit that looks out on the Coachella Valley, the Salton Sea, Mount San Jacinto, and much of Joshua Tree National Park.
	Desert Queen Mine This 1.6-mile hike follows a level trail to an overlook before crossing a canyon to visits the ruins of one the most profitable gold mines in the California desert.
	Lucky Boy Vista This level 2.5-mile hike visits a modest overlook at the site of an old mine.
	Fortynine Palms Oasis The 3-mile round trip hike visits a cool desert oasis.
	Indian Cove The 101-site campground is home to a 0.6-mile interpretive trail and endless bouldering and rock climbing opportunities.
	Warren Peak This 5.5-mile hike summits a peak with impressive views over the west side of Joshua Tree.
	Cholla Cactus Garden This quarter-mile loop allows visitors to stroll through an intense concentration of Cholla cacti.
	Lost Palms Oasis This 7.2-mile hike visits a desert oasis nestled between mountains in the southeast corner of the park.
	Mastodon Peak This 2.6-mile loop visits a 3,400-foot summit with panoramic views of southeastern Joshua Tree.
	Hikes in the California Desert Explore more trails in Death Valley National Park, Joshua Tree National Park, Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, and Mojave National Preserve.