Pinto Mountain in Joshua Tree National Park, CA

Hike Pinto Mountain Joshua Tree National Park, CA

Class 2 10.6 miles 2700 gain 4-6 hrs Loop Feb 9, 2023
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

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I looked across the wide open desert toward Pinto Mountain, which seemed an awfully long desert walk away. Younger peakbagger me had put this hike on the backburner since this big desert lump seemed to be a nuissance, but today I'd finally go for it. In hindsight I don't know why I waited so long since Pinto Mountain is actually a lovely desert peak with outstanding views. Plus the desert walk wasn't bad, especially with headphones and caffeine aiding my cause. Pinto Mountain seems to have three standard routes: a direct central ridge, and two branches on the southeast and southwest sides of the peak. I ascended the central one and descended using the southwestern one. A backtrountry map at the Turkey Flats Trailhead outlines these three routes, but recommends going counter-clockwise. Additionally, for some reason it recommends using the major drainage on the south side of the peak for the descent (my ascent), whereas I took the ridge. Maybe the map is outdated, since the more standard route people take seems to be to use this ridge rather than the drainage? Quick spoiler: I rarely recommend doing a hike as an out-and-back when loops are an option, but I found the descent to be pretty dumb, while the ascent was quite nice. More on that later.

I set out from the Turkey Flats Trailhead and headed northeast through the open desert, basically a flat walk to a minor sand dune. The sand dune provided a nice viewpoint for the three route options to reach Pinto Mountain, and from here I noted my ascent ridge and beelined toward it on lightly descending and easy terrrain. The final quarter mile before reaching the base of this ridge was rockier and had some little arroyos to hike through, formed by an alluvial fan.

A social trail appeared almost immediately at the base of the ridge, so I followed it up, not even giving a second look at the NPS-recommended drainage option on the left. I definitely preferred taking the scenic high road rather than the rocky wash. Some Class 2 got me to the ridge crest, where the terrain was still a bit rocky. This faded shortly after, and the trail continued pleasantly for the proceeding couple thousand vertical feet. Along the way there was virtually no descending since the social trail wrapped around any minor lumps. At around 2700' the terrain became more colorful and Pinto Mountain looked really scenic. The ridge widened into a slope at around 3200' and climbed much more steeply up to the much more tame, flattish summit area.

From the summit of Pinto Mountain I took in the expansive views for longer than I usually do, really pleased with the route. I wasn't expecting the social trail to be in that good of shape, and I debated briefly just returning the same way. For some reason my brain is unable to allow me to pass on the opportunity for a loop, so I decided to continue northwest along the summit area and descend via the standard western route. As soon as the route dropped west I pretty much immediately regretted coming this way. The slope was steep and without a trail, embedded rocks creating loose terrain. The slope funneled me into a minor rocky drainage, full of rock-hopping and Class 2 slowness. What was this nonsense? The whole was up was a lovely trail with views toward colorful rock layers and this was garbage in comparison. While the terrain is nothing atypical for a desert peak, knowing a notably better/easier option was available had me kicking myself for coming this way. Anyway, I descended through this rocky gully for a short time, leaving it when tamer terrain became available on its right bank. Eventually this met up with a slightly more major drainage that came in on the left, and this funneled me into a short narrow section with more Class 2.

Finally, at around 2500' I was out of this side drainage and within the main wash that sweeps to the west. I followed it, wrapped around the reaches of Pinto Mountain's southwestern toe, and scurried through the now open desert. I actually ran into another hiker who was using this route as her ascent (based on the NPS' map recommendation at the trailhead). I do wonder what the southwestern route would have been like, but it's unlikely I'll return to check it out.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
Pinto Mountain
3983 ft
1253 rise

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Turkey Flats Trailhead, Pinto Mountain seen right of center.
Turkey Flats Trailhead, Pinto Mountain seen right of center.
After a bit of desert walking, I made it to the top of a small sand dune. Pinto Mountain ahead.
After a bit of desert walking, I made it to the top of a small sand dune. Pinto Mountain ahead.
Close-up toward the drainage NPS recommends ascending on the trailhead map. I took the right just to its right, which had a lovely social trail.
Close-up toward the drainage NPS recommends ascending on the trailhead map. I took the right just to its right, which had a lovely social trail.
Nearing the mouth of the drainage, where the terrain was a bit more rocky. The ridge I ascended is seen right.
Nearing the mouth of the drainage, where the terrain was a bit more rocky. The ridge I ascended is seen right.
A social trail leads up and out of the drainage.
A social trail leads up and out of the drainage.
View back. I came up from the wash seen center. You can see the sand dune top center.
View back. I came up from the wash seen center. You can see the sand dune top center.
Class 2 along the ridge crest, which eases up in a bit. Plus a social trail keeps the going straightforward and not too tedious.
Class 2 along the ridge crest, which eases up in a bit. Plus a social trail keeps the going straightforward and not too tedious.
Close-up of the ridgeline. The social trail wraps around pretty much all the little humps rather than go over them.
Close-up of the ridgeline. The social trail wraps around pretty much all the little humps rather than go over them.
Higher up, here the rock fades out a bit and the hiking is much easier.
Higher up, here the rock fades out a bit and the hiking is much easier.
View back, the social trail clearly visible.
View back, the social trail clearly visible.
Pinto Mountain seen ahead.
Pinto Mountain seen ahead.
Another shot back.
Another shot back.
Interesting variety of colors on the way up.
Interesting variety of colors on the way up.
Close-up of the ascent to come.
Close-up of the ascent to come.
Another shot back toward some cool color layers.
Another shot back toward some cool color layers.
Nearing the steep, last few hundred feet of acent.
Nearing the steep, last few hundred feet of acent.
Class 2, though the social trail is still easy to follow.
Class 2, though the social trail is still easy to follow.
A shot back at the top of the steepest section, the ridgeline I came up seen center.
A shot back at the top of the steepest section, the ridgeline I came up seen center.
Final bit of ascending on less steep terrain.
Final bit of ascending on less steep terrain.
Nearing the flatter summit area.
Nearing the flatter summit area.
Pinto Mountain just ahead.
Pinto Mountain just ahead.
Pinto Mountain summit, view north.
Pinto Mountain summit, view north.
Pinto Mountain summit, view west.
Pinto Mountain summit, view west.
Onward to complete the loop. This is the descent route I chose to take. It's one of the standard backcountry options. It heads down the slope seen center, then drops into the drainage on the left.
Onward to complete the loop. This is the descent route I chose to take. It's one of the standard backcountry options. It heads down the slope seen center, then drops into the drainage on the left.
Class 2 rocky gully. The major wash I'm heading to is seen top center.
Class 2 rocky gully. The major wash I'm heading to is seen top center.
I came down from the gully left of center. It was kind of just garbage (in comparison to the ascent route).
I came down from the gully left of center. It was kind of just garbage (in comparison to the ascent route).
A bunch of rock-hopping, a view back toward a narrow portion.
A bunch of rock-hopping, a view back toward a narrow portion.
Finally I made it to the major wash.
Finally I made it to the major wash.
Within the major wash.
Within the major wash.
View back through the desert. Pinto Mountain seen top right, my descent route came from the left.
View back through the desert. Pinto Mountain seen top right, my descent route came from the left.

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