East Ord Mountain in Ord Mountains BLM, CA

Hike East Ord Mountain Ord Mountains BLM, CA

Class 2 3.2 miles 2000 gain 1-2 hr Loop Mar 28, 2021
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

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The roads leading out to East Ord Mountain are great until the end. I would recommend anyone just hike through the desert, starting here (34.62163, -116.73378). Low-clearance will need to start here since the standard approach road is poor, and higher-clearance will need to go pretty slowly. I did do the road and my hike stats/map reflect this. To reach the trailhead, leave Camp Rock Road here (34.60628, -116.74767) and then turn right here (34.61838, -116.75189). Some vehicles could drive farther up the mining road, but the hike was already too short for this much driving effort and turn-around spots farther up were more difficult to come by.

After hiking up the road for a quarter mile, I dropped down to the right into the major drainage since the road started heading the wrong direction. I heard complains of the standard route (marked in green) just being a loose and unpleasant gully, so I wanted to try another option, taking the drainage to the west of the standard route. I thought it was quite nice, Class 2 boulders and easy dryfalls bringing me up the west slope of East Ord Mountain. Farther up the drainage I could keep to the left bank and avoid unnecessary boulder-hopping. A Class 2 slope led east, where I got a glimpse of the summit block. I continued to the base of the boulder-strewn summit and kept left around the cliff band that guarded the summit. Some fun, but short-lived Class 2 led to the summit block.

Rather than return the way I came, I decided to descend East Ord Mountain's southeast ridgeline on what appears to be another standard approach option. The route began really pleasant, some light Class 2 mixed in with the moderate descent grade. There were a couple of outcrops that had cairns marking the most efficient way around them, and the views were nicer than the gully approach, obviously. I could see my car below, but the ridgeline leading down to it seemed to be getting more rocky. Instead, I dropped to the right off the ridge and descended a loose, awful slope. If not for this, I'd highly recommend taking the ridge as an out-and-back, but this kind of ruined the otherwise pleasant route. I continued down the drainage, climed out of it, and merged with the approach mining road.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
East Ord Mountain
6168 ft
1488 rise

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If you start from Camp Rock Road instead of taking the rougher approach road, this is the desert traverse approach, leading to the gap left of center in this photo.
If you start from Camp Rock Road instead of taking the rougher approach road, this is the desert traverse approach, leading to the gap left of center in this photo.
At the trailhead, heading along the old mining road.
At the trailhead, heading along the old mining road.
I entered the main drainage.
I entered the main drainage.
Looking back as I ascend my chosen drainage, instead of the standard route.
Looking back as I ascend my chosen drainage, instead of the standard route.
Short Class 2 dryfalls and boulder-hopping obstacles.
Short Class 2 dryfalls and boulder-hopping obstacles.
View back down, a straightforward route.
View back down, a straightforward route.
Making progress up the drainage. You can keep to the left on easier terrain if you get sick of boulder-hopping.
Making progress up the drainage. You can keep to the left on easier terrain if you get sick of boulder-hopping.
Leaving the drainage to head up a steep slope on the west side of East Ord Mountain.
Leaving the drainage to head up a steep slope on the west side of East Ord Mountain.
View down into my approach drainage as I ascend the west slope.
View down into my approach drainage as I ascend the west slope.
East Ord Mountain visible ahead.
East Ord Mountain visible ahead.
East Ord Mountain summit block, guarded by a cliff band. The summit is easily accessed on the left via a Class 2 scramble.
East Ord Mountain summit block, guarded by a cliff band. The summit is easily accessed on the left via a Class 2 scramble.
East Ord Mountain, view toward Ord Mountain.
East Ord Mountain, view toward Ord Mountain.
East Ord Mountain, view toward Rodman Mountains High Point.
East Ord Mountain, view toward Rodman Mountains High Point.
Instead of backtrack, I headed down the southeast ridgeline. My car is in the drainage right of center of this photo.
Instead of backtrack, I headed down the southeast ridgeline. My car is in the drainage right of center of this photo.
View back toward East Ord Mountain.
View back toward East Ord Mountain.
Rock outcropping, easily avoidable.
Rock outcropping, easily avoidable.
View back toward East Ord Mountain.
View back toward East Ord Mountain.
The final ridgeline descent. The crest got more rocky, so I dropped off on the right into the drainage below.
The final ridgeline descent. The crest got more rocky, so I dropped off on the right into the drainage below.
Awful loose slope descent.
Awful loose slope descent.
View back up to the ridge at the bottom of the dumb slope.
View back up to the ridge at the bottom of the dumb slope.
View back to the ridge as I make my way back down the drainage to get to the mining road. The descent slope I came down is visible center.
View back to the ridge as I make my way back down the drainage to get to the mining road. The descent slope I came down is visible 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!