Hike Cady Peak Mojave Trails National Monument BLM, CA

Feb 10, 2023 — Cady Peak is the high point within Mojave Trails National Monument and is easily seen from its surrounding highways, though it probably doesn't get much notice from people not interested in peakbagging since it kind of just appears as a large lump. Although the standard route to reach this peak is mostly within a wide wash, I found the area to be quite pretty in a weird way and the remoteness was nice.

A powerline road leads from I-40 to the trailhead, though there isn't an exit from I-40 here. You'll have to get onto Route 66 and drive on it for a few miles before turning north on Pisgah Crater Road here (34.77195, -116.37382). This short, paved section ends at a work zone and continues north along a powerline road here (34.77876, -116.38839). The road gets progressively worse, and what started as a pretty easy drive for a Crossover vehicle deteriorated into a slow-moving endeavor. I bottomed out a few times, though it was usually just due to high gravel. I don't expect this road to be passable by non-high-clearance for long unless it gets fixed up.

I parked off Powerline Road and started hiking up the wash, a somewhat lengthy hike up this gradual drainage. There's not a whole lot to say about these first couple of miles except that it would be pretty odd if you managed to get lost. At the top of the drainage is a short dryfall that has been conveniently formed into a natural staircase of sorts, Class 2/2+.

Past the dryfall obstacle I stopped to look up at the silly steep slopes surrounding Cady Peak and consulted what previous hikers seemed to do to tackle it. Most tended to take a direct route up its southern slope, but this looked unpleasant to me. Instead, I opted to leave the drainage just after the dryfall and ascend to a spur ridge on the southeast side of the peak. On my attached map you'll notice a small loop around the summit. My ascent was the eastern one, while on my way down I decided to descend via the standard route. The ridge ascent I chose started out as Class 2 due to steepness, but this was short-lived and then I was able to continue along the crest all the way to the summit without difficulty. Sure it was a little steep, but I think that's just the nature of this particular peak.

From the summit of Cady Peak I could make out a bunch of the other major Mojave Desert summits scattered on the horizon. I decided to take the standard route to give it a try. It was certainly more loose and steep and I definitely recommend ascending and descending via the southeast spur ridge I chose to take. This was a nice final peak for my trip and I found myself, as usual, craving more.