Class 2 6.4 miles 2100 gain 2-4 hrs Out + Back Feb 10, 2023
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

Cady Peak GPX Track

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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.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
Cady Peak
4627 ft
2427 rise

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I parked along Powerline Road and headed up this wide wash.
I parked along Powerline Road and headed up this wide wash.
Progress up the wash, which was really only rocky at the beginning.
Progress up the wash, which was really only rocky at the beginning.
View back toward the Powerline Road somewhere in the center.
View back toward the Powerline Road somewhere in the center.
I hiked for a couple of miles up the wash. Cady Peak is seen center.
I hiked for a couple of miles up the wash. Cady Peak is seen center.
A shot back at the gradually ascending wash.
A shot back at the gradually ascending wash.
Approaching the dryfall obstacle at the head of the wash.
Approaching the dryfall obstacle at the head of the wash.
One more view back just before the dryfall.
One more view back just before the dryfall.
Class 2/2+ dryfall obstacle.
Class 2/2+ dryfall obstacle.
Just above the dryfall, most seem to prefer taking the gully ahead and then ascend more directly on Cady Peak's south side. I opted to leave the drainage and head to the ridge on the top right.
Just above the dryfall, most seem to prefer taking the gully ahead and then ascend more directly on Cady Peak's south side. I opted to leave the drainage and head to the ridge on the top right.
From along my ridge choice, view down into the wash I previously hiked up.
From along my ridge choice, view down into the wash I previously hiked up.
Along the ridge, Cady Peak seen ahead. Had I ascended via the standard route, I'd be on the steep slope on the left.
Along the ridge, Cady Peak seen ahead. Had I ascended via the standard route, I'd be on the steep slope on the left.
Light Class 2, and sometimes a little steep, but a pleasant walk along the ridge crest.
Light Class 2, and sometimes a little steep, but a pleasant walk along the ridge crest.
Another shot back along the ridge. The dryfall obstacle is obscured, but located on the far right, for reference.
Another shot back along the ridge. The dryfall obstacle is obscured, but located on the far right, for reference.
Cady Peak top left.
Cady Peak top left.
Cady Peak ahead.
Cady Peak ahead.
Cady Peak summit, view down the wash ascent.
Cady Peak summit, view down the wash ascent.
Cady Peak, view east.
Cady Peak, view east.
Cady Peak, view north.
Cady Peak, view north.
I descended using the more standard route on Cady Peak's south side. This is sort of how it looks. Steep and loose. Not great.
I descended using the more standard route on Cady Peak's south side. This is sort of how it looks. Steep and loose. Not great.
From the base of the standard route, view back up at the slope.
From the base of the standard route, view back up at the slope.

Hire me or show me some love!

Hire/refer me as a web developer or send me a few bucks if you find my site useful. I’m not sponsored, so all fees are out-of-pocket and my time preparing trip reports is unpaid. I really appreciate it!