Trip report
Feb 19, 2020 — Monument Mountain and Cottonwood Mountains High Point are really two blobs (a term coined by Whiley that I've since stolen, which refers to any hill, knoll, bump, or otherwise unmemorable small peak) at the southern end of Joshua Tree National Park. Both are similar, and neither are particularly interesting. We had a good time though since the goal was to run through the desert and ascend quickly to get in some cardio. We both agreed that the views and small scramble on Monument Mountain were the highlight of that peak, while the steepness of Cottonwood Mountains High Point was its highlight. The road to the trailhead (Pinkham Canyon Road) was overall very good, with a couple of short sections where low clearance may struggle.
We started off toward Monument Mountain to the north first. A short desert jaunt brought us to the base of our chosen ascent finger, which led to the major southern ridge of Monument Mountain. We followed it the whole way up the mountain, encountering two sections of low Class 2, but otherwise just enjoying pleasant desert walking on varying steepness. A short Class 2 section led to the summit.
Back at the car, we headed south to Cottonwood Mountains High Point. The first slope section led steeply to a nice ridge. The ridge curved a bit as it continued south, one more section of steepness before a pretty ridgeline reached the summit blob.