Location: Joshua Tree National Park, California
Distance: 2.6 Miles Out and Back (To Mastadon Peak and Mine) or 3 Mile Loop
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate Time: 2 Hours or Less
Elevation Gain: 400 Feet
Season: Year Round (Summer can be unbearably and dangerously hot)
Foot Traffic: Moderate
Date Hiked: Sunday, January 10, 2021
Overview
Starting from Cottonwood Spring, along the Lost Palms Oasis Trail, Mastadon Peak is another fantastic, relatively short, family friendly hike within Joshua Tree National Park. Although the hike is short rounding out at between 2.5 and 3 miles, it is just long enough to get a good workout in and really make it feel like an actual hike. While Mastadon Peak still gets a lot of traffic it is not nearly on the level of the trails along the Park Boulevard road. Early morning hikes here usually result in a fairly large amount of solitude. For those looking for a bit more of an adventure they can extend their hike, following the trail to Lost Palms Oasis, making for a nearly 8 mile hike.
Along the Mastadon Peak trail visitors will encounter phenomenal boulders and rock structures as the trail winds through them towards the summit of Mastadon Peak and then a short distance to the old Mastadon Mine. A short scramble leads, that may not be for everyone, leads to the top of Mastadon Peak. Exceptional views of the lesser visited southern portion of the park present themselves here. For those not willing to scramble up to the summit, don’t hesitate to explore the other areas along the nearby rock faces that also offer fabulous views. Many will decide to hike this trail as a loop but as I find the section of trail just before the Mastadon Peak Summit the most, I prefer to do it as an out and back to revisit what I consider the best portions of the trail.
Trail Description and My Story
My wife and I were super excited to hit the trails in Joshua Tree National Park over a few days. The Mastadon Peak Trail was one that had consistently been closed over the years when we had visited and subsequently we had never had the opportunity to enjoy it. We were anxious to finally hike it on this day. We didn’t get our typical early morning start but were still able to set off from the trailhead by about 10 AM with few other hikers in sight.
This would be the perfect trail for us on this day, as my wife, Ryan, was nearing her sixth month of pregnancy. We didn’t want to do a super short hike, so the approximately 2.5 mile trail seemed just right for this morning and would get us ramped up for the longer Willow Hole trail that we would be treking the following day.
Parking Area to the Junction With the Mastadon Peak Trail
Leaving the parking area we immediately (.1 mile) arrived at Cottonwood Spring. Although a small area, this is a beautiful section of the trail, filled with California fan palms and cottonwood trees.
After the Oasis the trail turned sandy and a wide and obvious trail. The trail is rather flat here and we enjoyed this leisurely section. After reaching a sign stating that the Mastadon Peak Trail was .7 miles away, we began a mild climb with some stairs. Ryan was doing exceptionally well and our pace was remaining fairly quick. Following the trail arrows we reached the signed trail junction for Mastadon Peak.
Making a left at the trail junction and leaving the Lost Palms Oasis Trail, we now began a steady climb towards Mastadon Peak. This was our favorite section of the trail as the hike now proceeded through the rock formations. An excellent section with stairs carved into the rock is a defining spot along the trail.
The trail began to circle back and forth before flattening out just before the peak.
Reaching Mastadon Peak and Visiting the Mastadon Mine
As Ryan made her way towards Mastadon Peak, I elected to head right and up the separate rock structure. Hikers should make sure to explore the area around the peak, as there are some sections just as worthy of visiting as the actual summit of Mastadon Peak.
After a bit, Ryan joined me and we descended and continued a very short distance to the Mastadon Mine. There are two areas of the mine and they are rather neat to visit. The main mine shaft goes down 50 feet and has been caged off to prevent people from entering.
For those wishing to finish the loop, which most do, they can merely follow the well marked path back towards the start of the trail. On this day, we choose to retrace our steps and revisit our favorite sections of the trail. This is a great trail with minimal effort but still offers just enough to get a reasonable workout.
Getting to the Mastadon Peak Trailhead
Mastadon Peak Trail, Joshua Tree National Park
Notes, Questions and Thoughts
Is this a fee Area
- Yes. A National Park Pass must be displayed when parked at the Mastadon Peak trailhead and inside of Joshua Tree National Park. Visitors may purchase a Joshua Tree National Park day pass, annual pass or an America the Beautiful Pass, which allows travelers entrance into every National Park, Monument and Recreation Area in the country for 1 year. The annual pass is by far the best value for those traveling to multiple parks and has saved me thousands of dollars over the years. The fees are as follows.
America the Beautiful Pass (Allows entry into all National Parks, Monuments and Recreation Areas for 1 year from month of purchase.
- Annual Pass = $80
- Military Lifetime Pass = Free
- Senior Pass (62 and Over) = $20 (Annual) or $80 (Lifetime)
- Lifetime Access Pass = Free – This Pass is for residents with permanent disabilities. Applicants must provide documentation of permanent disability and residency or citizenship.
- 4th Grade Pass = Free pass valid for the duration of the 4th grader’s school year though the following summer (September-August). US 4th graders, including home-schooled and free-choice learners 10 years of age, with a valid Every Kid Outdoors paper voucher.
Joshua Tree Annual Entrance Pass = $55
Joshua Tree 7 Day Entrance Pass = $30 (Per Vehicle and covers everyone in the vehicle) $25 (Motorcycle) $15 (Pedestrian/Cyclist)
Are there restrooms at the trailhead?
- Yes. Vault toilets are available in the parking area
Are dogs allowed on the Mastadon Peak trail?
- No. Dogs are not allowed on the Mastadon Peak trail or on any other trail inside of Joshua Tree National Park. Additionally, pets must remain within 100 feet of roads, picnic areas, and campgrounds. Pets must also remain on a leash at all times. Leashes must be no longer than 6 feet in length.
Please recreate responsibly. Respect hikers, and all visitors and wildlife. Help make everyone’s experience better by keeping the nature experience as authentic as possible. Leave no trace and pack out everything that you pack in. Please remember that we are visitors and stewards of these special places. Help keep these places as wild as possible while not diminishing the outdoor experience of others.
Hiking in Joshua Tree can be absolutely brutal in the summer months due to extreme heat. Be prepared if you are deciding to do so and preferably start early.
