OverviewThe Ord Mountains were named for Major General E. O. C. Ord of Civil War fame and the leader of the first official survey of Los Angeles. The range is composed primarily of volcanic rocks and the area was a mining district in the late 1870's. Ord Mountain is higher than East Ord Mountain by 141 feet but East Ord is the most prominent peak in range.
East Ord Mountain is on the Sierra Club's Desert Peak Section's list of mountains but isn't climbed by many people. For the year prior to my hike to the summit, there were only two other groups that had signed the summit register.
Other attractions in the area include:
--Upper Johnson Valley Yucca Rings Preserve Area of Critical Environmental Concern.
--Stoddard Valley and Johnson Valley OHV Open Areas.
--Rock climbing area at Sawtooth Canyon (New Jacks City)
Getting ThereFrom Interstate 15 south of Victorville, CA drive 23 miles east on State Highway 18 to Lucerne Valley. Once you get to Lucerne Valley, drive east on State Highway 247 (Old Woman Springs Road) 5 miles to Camp Rock Road (paved). Turn left (north) and drive 4 miles to a fork. Bear right and go 2.4 miles to where the pavement ends, continuing on a very good graded dirt road for another 7.1 miles past where the pavement ends to a fairly good dirt road heading northwest toward the peak. Turn left on this dirt road and drive 0.5 miles, crossing under the power lines, to a junction. Turn right and continue another 0.9 miles to a fork. Bear right at the fork and continue another 0.7 miles. 2WD might be better off parking here. With 4WD it is easy to continue at least another 0.4 miles to a guzzler at 4,100 feet or even a little further down the road. I found a good spot to park along side the road just past 4,200 feet that I had no trouble getting to with 4WD.
For current road information contact:
Bureau of Land Management
Barstow Field Office
2601 Barstow Road
Barstow, CA 92311
760-252-6000
Red TapePermits are not required. There are no fees. Driving off-road is prohibited but there is an extensive network of market trails for suitable for 4WD vehicles.
When To ClimbThe best time of year is from November through April. Summer temperatures can be extremely hot in the area.
CampingThe area is managed by the Bureau of Land Management and primitive camping is allowed in the area.
Mountain ConditionsBureau of Land Management
Barstow Field Office
2601 Barstow Road
Barstow, CA 92311
760-252-6000
BLM Barstow
External Links Images
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Calif. Desert Peaks
