Mojave Trail

Mojave Trail or Mojave Road is a historical route that is now a four wheel drive access road for the Mojave National Preserve in the Mojave Desert. Native Americans first used the path, then Spanish Missionaries, explorers and foreign colonizers. From the 18th to 19th century many of the settlers moved along the Mojave Trail, stopping at watering holes along the way. These holes were placed between the Colorado River and San Bernardino Mountains. The holes were roughly 60 to 70 miles apart. The trail is 138 miles long even today, and due to its off road setup takes 2 to 3 days for travel.

Traveling east to west on Mojave Trail offers several landmarks including the Colorado River, Piute Creek, Fort Piute, Lanfair Valley, Indian Hill, Joshua Tree National Forest, Rock Spring, Government Holes, Cedar Canyon, and Kelso-Cima Road. Other landmarks include Marl Springs, Mojave Road Mail Box, Willow Wash, Kelbaker Road, Soda Lake, Soda Springs, Travelers Monument, Rasor OHV Area, Sand Dunes, Afton Canyon, Mojave River, and Manix Wash.

Willow Wash, for example, is a heavy sand area that sits beside Cinder Cones lava flow. Soda Lake is a dry lake, but it does take caution to drive around.