Mastodon Peak Loop

The Mastodon Peak Loop is a rewarding desert hike in the Cottonwood Springs area of Joshua Tree National Park, located in the southern section of the park where the Colorado Desert ecosystem prevails. This region has a distinctly different character from the higher Mojave Desert to the north, featuring ocotillo, cholla cactus, palo verde trees, and ironwood rather than the iconic Joshua trees that give the park its name.

The loop trail winds through typical Colorado Desert scrub before beginning its ascent of Mastodon Peak, a rocky summit whose name was inspired by the fancied resemblance of a prominent boulder to a mastodon head. The climb is short but involves some scrambling over granite boulders near the top, and the 500-foot gain delivers surprisingly expansive views across the low desert to the Salton Sea shimmering in the distance to the southeast. On clear days the Santa Rosa Mountains and the Chocolate Mountains can also be seen on the horizon. The trail passes the site of the Mastodon Mine, a gold mine that operated in the early twentieth century, with remnants of mining equipment and structures still visible along the route. The Cottonwood Springs oasis at the trailhead is one of the most reliable water sources in the southern park and attracts a remarkable diversity of migratory birds during spring and fall. This trail is an excellent choice for cooler months when desert temperatures are comfortable for hiking.