If you meander a bit like I did on this GPX track, it might take up to the 0.4 mile mark instead. If you head directly northeast from the trailhead, you’ll hit the first wash in about 0.1 mile. The one downside of that route, though, is that you’ll be hiking in a sandy wash on a meandering path, which can be its own special kind of exhausting. Cross the first wash and when you hit the second wash, you can follow that to your climb. The alternate (and easier to follow) direction is just to head due east from the trailhead. If you do go that way, it’s not the end of the world - just head a bit further east and follow a rocky ridge until you reach a wash heading to the northeast. That’s where I initially went (as is on this GPS track), but you’ll quickly find out that route sends you too far to the west of the washes you’re aiming for. There may be an old wooden sign pointing north and sets of footprints following that direction. Look for the notch between the two highest points on the horizon - generally speaking, you’re going to head up into that notch, then scramble up to the summit ridge. Queen Mountain is the highest point just to the slight northeast from the trailhead. After a short drive down the semi-washboard road (passenger cars are OK as long as the region hasn’t had a lot of rain recently), reach the trailhead, slather on your sunscreen, grab your map and water and check your surroundings. That said, if you’re up for the challenge and know what you’re doing, climbing to the top of Queen Mountain can be an immensely rewarding experience - and if you’re bothered by the crowds at some of the other Joshua Tree highlights, you’re almost guaranteed to have this route all to yourself.Įven on a long holiday weekend, once you turn off Park Boulevard and onto the dirt Big Horn Pass Road, you’ll probably be able to get that full-on desert seclusion. This route requires route finding and scrambling experience in harsh terrain with zero shade and zero water and should absolutely not be attempted by novice hikers or in the hot summer months. The trek to Queen Mountain is probably on the easier end of the backcountry off-trail trips Joshua Tree National Park has to offer, but that doesn’t meant that you should do it on a whim.
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