Location: Mojave National Preserve, California – Near Baker, California
Distance: .5 Mile Out and Back Time: 30 Minutes to 1 Hour
Difficulty: Easy
Season: Year round (unbearably hot in the summer though)
Foot Traffic: Light
Date Hiked: Wednesday, May 11, 2022 – Friday, July 20, 2018
Overview
Roughly 40 minutes outside of the town of Baker, in the Mojave National Preserve, is a short but fun trek through a small lava tube. The hike is less than a mile round trip and, although there is some ducking and crawling required once inside the lava tube, it is quite easily accessible.
Despite its easy access, there is still a sense of adventure, as the cave darkens before one must crawl into the lava chamber. Once in the main part of the lava tube, you will once again have light, as a huge hole in the cave emits light from above. Although the times of the year vary, midday until about 4 PM is typically the best time to visit to get the rays of sun in your pictures. This is a very quick hike and the road leading to the trailhead can often times be as much of an adventure as the actual trail itself. Additionally, I have heard that this is a popular trail, but in all of my visits I have never encountered a single person. Assuredly, the bumpy 5 mile road keeps the crowds at least a little bit at bay.
Getting to the Mojave Desert Lava Tube
Mojave National Preserve Lava Tube
The Mojave lava tube trailhead is located approximately 40-45 minutes from the town of Baker. The road to the lava cave starts from the bumpy and rocky, although sometimes sandy and washboard, Aiken Mine Road. While the park service recommends having a high clearance vehicle, I have driven this road numerous times (albeit, in good weather conditions) in a small SUV and had no issues. The road is very narrow, rough, rocky, and rutted, and sandy and washboard in other spots. There are often numerous big rocks protruding that you must navigate along the way. You will be bouncing around most of the drive to the trailhead and will produce a lot of flying rocks and dust. Driving slowly is a must.
From Baker, take the 127 South (this becomes Kelbaker Road) and follow it to Kelbaker Road. You will continue on Kelbaker Road for approximately 20 miles. Take a left onto Aiken Mine Road and this is where the main part of the drive starts. You will follow Aiken Mine Road for roughly 5 miles over an upaved, sometimes sandy, sometimes rocky, road. After five miles, the road will come to an end with a tiny pull out to the right. This is your parking spot and a clear trail head is just in front and to the left of where you parked.
Trail Description and My Story
As my wife, our daughter, Scout, and I were returning from a recent trip to the southwest and Bryce Canyon, we had stopped in St. George, Utah the night prior. After waking up, we snuck in a few quick detours and then began our drive back towards Southern California. The angst of having to arrive back home was starting to set in and I suggested that we stop in the Mojave National Preserve later in the afternoon and then sleep in Barstow, prolonging our arrival home by an extra day. To my delight, my wife obliged me.
Aiken Mine Road to Mojave Desert Lava Tube
Upon reaching the Mojave National Preserve, we had now been driving for a good chunk of the day. At around 3 PM, we finally reached the Aiken Mine Road. The next five miles were extremely slow going and rough along the rocky and rutted road. The road seamlessly switched from bumpy and rocky to sandy and washboard. After the slow drive in, we finally reached the trailhead at a dead end and parked in a small pull out to our right.
Hiking to the Lava Tube
It was now getting closer to 4PM. Having hiked here before we knew our surroundings and knew this would go very quickly, so we weren’t very worried about it being later in the day. After parking, I grabbed three headlamps and we set off from the obvious trail just to the left of the pull out. Our daughter had just turned 1 a few days prior and being that the trail was so short we decided to just carry her instead of hauling her in the hiking backpack.
The only really important detail of this hike is that after a few minutes of starting, there is a trail that heads up, continuing straight. Nothing is signed here, but the correct way is up and to the right, away from the trail that continues straight. The lava tube is never visible from the trail and you wont really know where it is until you are almost on top of it. After a few brief minutes heading uphill, we reached the gaping hole marking the entrance to the lave tube.
Heading Into the Lava Tube
Upon reaching the lava tube, we were met by a small metal staircase that helps visitors reach the bottom.
My wife descended first, as I then lowered our daughter to her. Once at the bottom, the real fun began. After about ten yards, the cave narrowed and began to darken. Then the walls narrowed even more and the only way to proceed was to crawl through the opening towards the next chamber where we could see some light reemerging. Even for those that are somewhat claustrophobic, this small section shouldn’t cause many issues, as it will open up again quickly. After crawling through on our knees, we reemerged into the light, now in the back of the lava tube.
Main Section of the Lava Tube
Almost as quick as you enter the lava tube, you reach the back section where it dead ends. This is the highlight of the lava tube and is especially spectacular when the rays of sunlight are beaming in from the hole above.
Being that we arrived so late in the day, we were just barely getting the last of the sunlight beams.
As our daughter scooted around, we sat and enjoyed the peacefulness of being all alone. Despite the fact that we had been in this area a few times before, I was so happy to be back. Returning home always weighs on me and I was so thankful to have prolonged our trip one extra day.
May 11, 2022
Questions, Notes and Thoughts
Is this a fee area?
- No, there are currently no fees or passes required to enter the Mojave National Preserve
Are dogs allowed?
- Yes, dogs are allowed. However they must remain on a leash no longer than 6 feet in length and remain in control at all times. Please follow the National Park Services B.A.R.K principles. I personally would suggest not bringing a dog along. The space inside the lava tube is cramped.
Bag your pet’s waste
Always leash your pet
Respect wildlife
Know where you can go
- There are aboslutely zero amenities at the end of the dirt road. No restrooms, pit toilets, or trash cans. Please pack out everything that you pack in and leave the site just as it was before you arrived.
- Do not deface or mark on any of the walls inside the lava cave. Please help preserve this area by recreating responsibly. Your efforts are what will make it possible for others to continue to visit and enjoy this lava tube in the future.
- You will need a headlamp or light source to enter the cave. Your phone flashlight will technically work but a headlamp is highly recommended.
- Check weather and road conditions before heading out. If bad weather is threatening or has recently occured, a high clearance vehicle may be necessary or the road may be impassable.
