This is a new page for Big Maria Peak. There had been a page posted here at Summitpost previously, but recently removed by its owner for some reason, so I am making up a new page. The problem is, my photos aren't the best, so if you have some, please attach them to this page!

The Big Maria Mountains are a stark desert range paralleling the Colorado River about a dozen miles north of Blythe, in far-east California. There are three potential summits: a 3,379 point on the north end of the range, a 3,381-foot point, and a 3,380-foot point about a mile south of the 3,381-footer. The 3,381-foot point has no official name, but often goes by Big Maria Peak. Much of the range is enclosed within Wilderness, and don't expect any shade along the way. This is as stark as desert summits get.

This peak is a popular destination for the Sierra Club's Desert Peaks Section crowd, as well as prom-chasers (it has 2,298 feet of prominence) and range highpointers. Like many peaks in the Mojave Desert, the approach follows a rocky canyon and gully system, some ridge-line walking, and the usual avoidance of all things prickly and pointy. Overall, the climb to the 3,380 and 3,381-foot points is fairly straightforward, and best done in winter. At worst, you deal with some loose slopes in spots, but nothing technical.

Getting There

In Blythe, follow Lovekin Road from Interstate-10 north about five miles to where it bends left (northwest) near some railroad tracks. The road is now called Midland Road. Stay on it for 8.5 miles, looking for a scant dirt road on your right near some power lines. You may see a plastic BLM road marker, calling it the Midland-Vidal Road.

This power-line road is okay for the first four miles, then comes to a big eroded section at the 4-mile mark. It's another 1.5 miles north beyond this eroded section to the de facto parking stop as listed in the DPS guide, but you may find yourself parking back at the eroded section. This will add 3 miles of flat walking to your trip. Standard high-clearance vehicles should be able to get to this eroded section with no problem.