Clark Mountain in Mojave National Preserve, CA

Hike Clark Mountain Mojave National Preserve, CA

Class 2 3.9 miles 2300 gain 2-4 hrs Out + Back Apr 16, 2020
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

Clark Mountain GPX Track

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Located on a small area of land separated by I-15 from the more well-known Mojave National Preserve, Clark Mountain rises high off the desert floor and is passed regularly by everyone driving between LA and Las Vegas. The standard route is more direct and heads up the east ridge to the summit, but trip reports I've read have stated there's a scary move that could either be Class 3 or Class 5, depending on your source. So, I decided to play it safe and summit Clark Mountain via a Class 2 route from the west.

The trailhead is accessible via mid-clearance, legally passing though a gate and private land. From the trailhead, I started up the ridge on the left, a steep slope taking me to the crest. While the ridgeline had some trees and cacti, it was hardly a bushwhack. It just took some care at times to zig-zag around obstacles. There are a couple of small bumps that add some vertical gain along the ridge, but nothing serioues. The last third of the hike requires some navigation around the crest, which is riddled with steep rock outcrops. For the first bit, I kept to the right of the ridge until it became cliffy and an opening in the ridge had a cairn marking a good spot to switch to the left side. The summit views were typical high-prominence desert peak views. It was nice to see all the surrounding peaks I'd been hiking from up here.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
Clark Mountain
7907 ft
4232 rise

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Clark Mountain up there on the right. I headed up to the ridge on the left from my car.
Clark Mountain up there on the right. I headed up to the ridge on the left from my car.
Steep, light Class 2 to gain the ridge.
Steep, light Class 2 to gain the ridge.
Looking back, my car visible bottom right, Clark Mountain up top, and the ridge traverse on the left.
Looking back, my car visible bottom right, Clark Mountain up top, and the ridge traverse on the left.
Continuing along the ridge.
Continuing along the ridge.
Looking back at my progress up the ridge.
Looking back at my progress up the ridge.
You can see some minor bumps along the ridge. Clark Mountain is seen right of center.
You can see some minor bumps along the ridge. Clark Mountain is seen right of center.
Looking back along the ridge, my car is somewhere on the left in the valley below.
Looking back along the ridge, my car is somewhere on the left in the valley below.
Clark Mountain ahead, but the ridge gets a bit more finicky.
Clark Mountain ahead, but the ridge gets a bit more finicky.
Close-up as I ascend the ridge. Initially, I kept to the right of the ridge to avoid the rocky crest.
Close-up as I ascend the ridge. Initially, I kept to the right of the ridge to avoid the rocky crest.
Looking back at my progress as I cross over an opening in the ridge to easier terrain on the left side (right in this photo). My car is down center left somewhere.
Looking back at my progress as I cross over an opening in the ridge to easier terrain on the left side (right in this photo). My car is down center left somewhere.
Final push on Class 2 to the summit of Clark Mountain.
Final push on Class 2 to the summit of Clark Mountain.
Clark Mountain summit, view northeast.
Clark Mountain summit, view northeast.
Above the Class 3, Granite Mountain's summit comes into view. I stuck to the wash, which was also cairned.
Above the Class 3, Granite Mountain's summit comes into view. I stuck to the wash, which was also cairned.

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!