An overlanding mecca, check out the Mojave Road! Stretching across 138 miles, this trail stands out as one of the biggest and most diverse overland routes in the US. Surprisingly enough, the road is nearly unchanged since its discovery.
The Mohave Road: A Brief History
The route was first established by the Native Americans. Subsequently, several travelers used it for its feasibility and convenience. In 1776, Francisco Garces documented the Mojave Road during his Californian expedition.
Over the next few centuries, Mojave Road assumed the role of a crucial supply route that supported easy transport of large trucks, wagons, and other vehicles heading towards California.
In this article, we will discuss all Overlanding the Colorado Desert via the Mojave Road. So, if you are planning to do the same, here’s everything you need to know.
General Guidelines
The earliest and the first route starts from the southern part of the iconic Bullhead City. Here, you will also find a spectacular view of the majestic Colorado River. The Overlanding route stretches at least 140 miles from Bullhead city and at its very essence, lies the rugged Mojave Desert.
The biggest highlight of this trail is that it is almost unmaintained. Offroad enthusiasts can comfortably charter the Mojave Road. In case you are looking to learn more about the historical and cultural significance of the trail, you might want to travel with a professional guide/driver.
The overall topography of the land is extremely diverse and as you pass through it, you will find dozens of rugged mountain passes, beautiful valleys in the middle of the desert, and picturesque lakes among others. If you are lucky, you may even spot a couple of volcanic cones.
Your route via the Mojave road will begin from the National Recreational Center of Lake Mead, and as you begin traveling, you will find sweeping views of the Mojave National Preserve.
Rules to Consider When Using The Mojave Road
In case you are using the Mojave Road trail for the first time, you would need to consider some crucial rules, as discussed below:
- If you are going in a large group that involves seven vehicles or 25 people (whichever is applicable), you would need to issue a Special Permit. Because the permit requires a minimum processing time of 30 days, you would want to plan this in advance.
- Avoid any form of cross-country travel and refrain from establishing new trails. The local administration is extremely strict about this rule, so you would want to consider it. Additionally, avoid any form of a drive-in wash because that is already prohibited by the authorities. Finally, look around you and respect existing Wilderness boundaries.
- Certain areas are entirely designated for the wilderness and you cannot travel here by motorcycle or regular bicycle.
- Regardless of the vehicle you choose, it needs to be legal and compliant with the requirements of the California DMV. The vehicle should have all relevant information related to the license, vehicle tags, lighting situation, and vehicle signal among others.
- The Mojave trail does not recognize the Green or Red Stickers that are otherwise permissible in California. That means you can only use California street-legal automobiles in this area. Even though you can use large vehicles like Jeeps and big trucks, RZRs, and similar vehicles are prohibited.
- Avoid dirtying the area around the campsite. You need to carefully pack all waste before you leave and dispose of plastic, toilet paper, and other items properly. Remember, toilet paper, in particular, isn’t a desert-friendly object because it takes plenty of time to fully decompose in a tropical desert environment. In some scenarios, it may even be tampered with by birds and animals, thus leading up to excess waste.
Top Attractions On The Mojave Road
Even though Mojave road is a desert area, it still comes with a stunning display of unique flora.
Flora in the Desert
- Desert paintbrush
- Creosote bush
- Cholla
- Yucca
- Cactus and Cacti
- Prickly Pear
These plants are not just beautiful but they also feature a spectacular bunch of blooms in varying shades of light yellow and pink. The most defining attraction of the location is the Joshua tree. Lofty and beautiful this tree is dotted by stunning foliage that appears like pompoms. The trunks are equally unique with their unique display of a fibrous/furry coating.
Mohave Wildlife
The wildlife of the area is equally impressive. You will find the usual desert animals like coyotes, snakes, and hawks. If you are lucky, you may even spot wrens, the iconic bighorn sheep, and tortoises. Enjoy the diverse wildlife and watch out for pesky mice and rats during the evenings.
Water Holes
As with every other desert, one of the biggest attractions is water. Keep your eye out for the watering holes found throughout the route. You will find at least one water hole every 20 to 30 miles and the available water is completely safe.
We were also impressed by the stunning Rock springs that are found around the ambush points. Monitored by the American Army in past years, ambush points are fairly common on this stretch.
Gushing Lava Volcanic Cones
Known for their gushing lava and beautiful structure, volcanic cones are your final and biggest highlight. In case you enjoy hiking, travel by the cones and crawl to the lava passages. If you are observant enough, you may even identify the discreet mine that is ideal for photoshoots.
Beautiful Soda Lake
You can end the trip with a final stop at the beautiful Soda lake. Stretching across 15 miles and featuring a width of six miles, this is a fully dry lakebed. It appears like pavement and comes laden in silt. Because of these reasons, this is also a common spot for imminent dust storms.
If you are traveling to the lake, check your speed when you reach the center. Avoid any sudden hike or dip in speed to avoid potential accidents.
Bottom Line: Mojave Road, Worth It?
Overall, the Mojave Desert trail to the Colorado River is an excellent route, and both newbies and experienced driving/hiking enthusiasts would enjoy the route.
If you liked this article, check out a recent post about epic trails in California here.
