Hike Cave Mountain Mojave Trails National Monument BLM, CA

Feb 07, 2023 — Cave Mountain appears to be cliffy mayhem when viewed while driving below along I-15, which curves just below the mountain, though the standard route to reach the summit is a lot more straightforward than it seems. Despite what the low mileage suggests, this hike does take a bit longer than expected due to a chunk of the ascent requiring a slog through the sand that circles the majority of the peak's base. The hike begins from Afton Canyon Natural Area within Mojave Trails National Monument.

Leave the graded Afton Canyon Road here (35.05670, -116.38898) and head east. Crossovers should have no problem reaching where I started. I parked where I did because it was the last pull-out before entering a very sandy wash that I'd argue you need an ATV to drive through. The first mile and a half of the hike follows a gradual incline along this road, leaving much to be desired. Of course coming back down the sand later was a lot more fun.

The sandy road then climbs steeply and reaches the south ridge of Cave Mountain, marking the end of the slog. I left in a small loop in the center of my attached map: the northern portion of this loop was my descent using a fun sandy slope that would have probably been less enjoyable on the way up. Once along the ridge crest, I continued north where there was occasional Class 2. The landscape here was pretty unique. Cave Mountain seemed to be made of eroding sandy slopes since it was surrounded by the stuff. Afton Canyon in the distance provided a really cool eroded slotty backdrop. Unfortunately, you need a more serious vehicle to reach those slots on the sides of Afton Canyon. I previously researched a named one called Spooky Canyon that looked like a worthwhile visit if you have a capable enough vehicle.

Anyway, the ascent was mostly straightforward, though at times the ridge crest became a little convoluted since there were multiple hump options for ascending, the true ridge crest not well-defined at times. The final ascent to the peak's false summit went at Class 2 and had hints of a social trail, but you could make the ridge more fun by including some Class 3 along the crest proper. A false summit is marked by a large cairn, but the actual summit is atop a large boulder a bit farther. You can wrap around to the far side to keep this boulder Class 2. I whacked my knee hard on some big, dumb rock. While I let it cool off I had some time to really enjoy the view down toward the Interstate, far enough away vertically that the sounds were muted and the tiny vehicles seemed like specks compared to the expansive Mojave.