Climb the Mastodon Peak Trailway
Hiking Mastodon Peak Trail: A Rewarding Desert Adventure
Embark on a thrilling journey through the rugged southern region of Joshua Tree National Park with the Mastodon Peak Trail loop. This hike offers an exciting exploration without demanding a herculean effort. You'll tread on sandy trails that exude a distinct Sonoran vibe, then scale stone stairs leading to Mastodon Peak's base.
It's an effortless scramble to the summit, rewarding you with breathtaking vistas of the desert and mountains. Post summit, the trail passes the abandoned Mastodon Mine on a leisurely downhill trek back to the trailhead.
Finding the Mastodon Peak Trail
Nestled in the southern part of Joshua Tree National Park, the Mastodon Peak Trail utilizes the Cottonwood Spring parking area as its starting point. Arrive early for the best parking experience, especially at sunrise.
Navigate to this address: Cottonwood Spring, Lost Palms Oasis Trail, Twentynine Palms, CA 92277
Osprey Hikelite 26 - My go-to daypack. Light, tough, and keeps my back dry with the trampoline mesh.
To skip the park entry fee, grab a National Parks Pass.
Remember, there's no backcountry camping in this park area, as it's protected for bighorn sheep. If you wish to camp, opt for Cottonwood Campground.
Norda 001 - Like a monster truck and a comfy pillow had a featherweight baby, for your feet.
Equipment for the Hike
The trail consists of sandy, exposed terrain. Invest in hiking shoes or boots for superior footing. During the climb, trekking poles come in handy. Carry a minimum of 1L water, and avoid tackling the hike during the scorching summer months.
Garmin inReach Mini 2 - When I need 100% reliable SOS coverage, this is what I take in the backountry.
Gear I'm Using Now
- Osprey Hikelite 26: My preferred daypack, light, robust, and keeps my back dry with the trampoline mesh.
- Norda 001: A footwear marvel—combines monster truck durability with cushioned comfort.
- Garmin inReach Mini 2: When I require dependable SOS coverage in the backcountry, this is my go-to gear.
- AllTrails Plus: (30% off link) Delivers up-to-date trip reports and additional features like offline maps, off-trail alerts, and Garmin sync.
- Garmin Fenix 8: Once refined, this device proved rock-solid for me. I use it for mapping, tracking, and routing.
AllTrails Plus - (30% off link) Up-to-date trip reports. Plus adds offline maps, off-trail alerts, and Garmin sync.
See my top gear recommendations and breakdowns on my Top Gear Picks page (last updated June 2025).
Mastodon Peak Trail Maps
Garmin Fenix 8 - Took a few updates to get right, but now it's rock solid for me. I use it for maps, tracking, and routing.
The trail is well-marked and straightforward to follow. While not necessary, a GPS with the trail loaded (downloadable below) aids in locating your position if needed. My route advocates hiking the loop trail counterclockwise, which I find more enjoyable and less challenging.
Download the trail map or load it onto your GPS for reference: GPX File
Elevation and 3D Maps
Mastodon Peak Trail Hike Directions
During the spring, Cottonwood Spring transforms into an extravaganza of wildflowers. Even without wildflower sightings, the California Fan Palm trees you encounter are quite rare, only flourishing near permanent water sources.
As you ascend, you'll come across Mastodon Peak, a monzogranite rock formation that early miners believed resembled a mastodon head.
The abandoned Mastodon Mine, a gold mine, was intermittently operational between 1930 and 1971. Joshua Tree National Park boasts 288 abandoned mines, mostly gold mines, and many of which were unsuccessful. People still laid mining claims in this area as recently as 1998.
Set course for the Mastodon Peak Trail in Joshua Tree National Park, using Cottonwood Spring as your starting point. Arrive early to secure a parking spot, perhaps at sunrise. (Cottonwood Spring, Lost Palms Oasis Trail, Twentynine Palms, CA 92277)
If you wish to skip the park entry fee, acquire a National Parks Pass. Remember, no backcountry camping is allowed in this area as it's protected for bighorn sheep. If you seek camping opt for Cottonwood Campground instead.
Invest in hiking shoes or boots for superior footing on the sandy, exposed terrain. During the climb, trekking poles come in handy. Carry a minimum of 1L water and avoid hiking during the summer heat.
As you embark on this desert adventure, hike the Mastodon Peak Trail loop counterclockwise for a more enjoyable and less challenging experience. A GPS with the trail loaded can aid in locating your position, although the trail is well-marked and easy to follow.
TheGT;
* Osprey Hikelite 26: My preferred daypack, light, robust, and keeps my back dry with the trampoline mesh.* Norda 001: A footwear marvel—combines monster truck durability with cushioned comfort.* Garmin inReach Mini 2: When I require dependable SOS coverage in the backcountry, this is my go-to gear.* AllTrails Plus: (30% off link) Delivers up-to-date trip reports and additional features like offline maps, off-trail alerts, and Garmin sync.* Garmin Fenix 8: Once refined, this device proved rock-solid for me. I use it for mapping, tracking, and routing.
As you ascend, you'll encounter a unique spectacle of wildflowers in the spring, even if absent, the California Fan Palm trees are a sight to behold, rare and only flourishing near permanent water sources. Soon after, you'll come across Mastodon Peak, a monzogranite rock formation resembling a mastodon head. The abandoned Mastodon Mine, a gold mine, was intermittently operational between 1930 and 1971, and although Joshua Tree National Park boasts 288 abandoned mines, many of which were unsuccessful, mining claims were still being laid as recently as 1998.
