Class 2 4.9 miles 1800 gain 2-4 hrs Out + Back Feb 7, 2023
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

Cave Mountain GPX Track

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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.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
Cave Mountain
3624 ft
1744 rise

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Entering the sandy wash.
Entering the sandy wash.
View back after hiking along the sandy road for a while.
View back after hiking along the sandy road for a while.
The road ascends gradually for most of the time, but has a couple of steeper portions, especially when reaching the southern ridge of Cave Mountain.
The road ascends gradually for most of the time, but has a couple of steeper portions, especially when reaching the southern ridge of Cave Mountain.
View back after reaching the southern ridge, where the road ends.
View back after reaching the southern ridge, where the road ends.
Heading north along the ridge, Cave Mountain seen center.
Heading north along the ridge, Cave Mountain seen center.
At the southern ridge, a fun view toward the sandy slopes to the east.
At the southern ridge, a fun view toward the sandy slopes to the east.
Class 2, but mostly just a lovely hike up the ridge.
Class 2, but mostly just a lovely hike up the ridge.
View back. I came up from the sandy stuff top right.
View back. I came up from the sandy stuff top right.
A bit convoluted along the ridgeline since it's kind of lumpy, but you can't get too mixed up.
A bit convoluted along the ridgeline since it's kind of lumpy, but you can't get too mixed up.
Another shot back along the ridgeline. The trailhead is somewhere on the far right. Afton Canyon's cool eroded featured seen on the left.
Another shot back along the ridgeline. The trailhead is somewhere on the far right. Afton Canyon's cool eroded featured seen on the left.
Approaching the true Class 2 ascent to the summit. The drop on the right was steep enough to be really interesting.
Approaching the true Class 2 ascent to the summit. The drop on the right was steep enough to be really interesting.
Close-up toward the light scramble.
Close-up toward the light scramble.
Class 2 (or Class 3 if you keep farther right).
Class 2 (or Class 3 if you keep farther right).
View back from the top of the scramble. Trailhead top right, south ridge I ascended on the left.
View back from the top of the scramble. Trailhead top right, south ridge I ascended on the left.
Close-up along the south ridge.
Close-up along the south ridge.
Class 2 to the false summit.
Class 2 to the false summit.
False summit, view toward the summit boulder block on the right.
False summit, view toward the summit boulder block on the right.
Close-up down toward I-15.
Close-up down toward I-15.
View north, Soda Mountains seen on the left and Baker CA a speck right of center.
View north, Soda Mountains seen on the left and Baker CA a speck right of center.

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!