Overview Castle Peak is one of the more technically challenging summits in the Mojave Desert region. Rising as a small mountain mass above the surrounding desert washes and hills of northern Mojave National Preserve, Castle Peak (also known as Castle Peaks or “Dove” B.M.) consists of a cluster of rather enticing and aesthetic volcanic pinnacles/spires. The summit of the highest pinnacle/spire, once marked by a now-missing “Dove” benchmark, requires a short bit of 5.5-5.6 climbing on poor rock.
Castle Peak lies at the northern end of the very picturesque and craggy (more so than is apparent at a distance) New York Mountains. Not quite as picturesque or craggy as the central or southern portion of the range, excepting Castle Peak itself, the northern portion of the range primarily hosts your classic desert scene of washes and cacti and jackrabbits, not to mention miles and miles of Joshua trees.
This fine little peak and its cluster of pinnacles is clearly visible as one drives between Los Angeles and Las Vegas on I-15, right around Mountain Pass and the state line. Judging by the rough dirt roads on the approach, requiring high clearance in the best of conditions, the mountain’s lack of trails/use trails to its summit, the poor quality of the rock, and the technical difficulties required to reach the highpoint, Castle Peak is rarely tagged (or even approached, for that matter).
The lesser pinnacles/spires of Castle Peak also hold climbing potential, though information on their routes is sparse-to-non-existent. They all have bad rock.
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Getting ThereFrom I-15 near Primm, Nevada and the California state line, get off at the Nipton Road exit. Nipton Road is in California, just a few miles over the line.
Head east on Nipton Road a few miles to the signed Ivanpah Road. Ivanpah Road takes you into Mojave National Preserve.
Once on Ivanpah Road, follow it for about 16-17 miles, ignoring the main turn-off (Morning Star Mine Road) for the Preserve and the fact that the road soon becomes graded dirt (generally in good shape; sometimes not), to the signed Hart Mine Road.
Hang a left and follow Hart Mine Road (high clearance suggested in good conditions; a good walking stick in bad) for about 4.5-5 miles until you come to a dirt road branching off to the left. Actually, in the 4.5-5.5 mile stretch, there are two dirt roads branching off to the left – either will work.
Get onto the left-branching dirt road and follow it initially northeasterly, then northward, toward Castle Peak, the obvious collection of crags in the distance. Though some other dirt roads branch off here and there, a little trial and error and basic route-finding skills will land you at a wilderness boundary sign in a wash nestled between some hills. This will be about 3-4 miles after you turned off of the Hart Mine Road. Castle Peak will be out of view behind one of the hills to the north/northeast.
This is the trailhead.
Red TapeCastle Peak lies within a wilderness area. Please respect and protect it.
Castle Peak also lies within Mojave National Preserve, an entity under the management of the National Park Service.
No permits or fees apply.
When To ClimbAnytime but summer. Heavy rains can badly wash out the approach roads. Re-consider making the long drive out there if the area has had recent heavy rains.
CampingI’m not aware of any developed campgrounds in the area; however, there’s a fine little primitive camping spot at the trailhead, about 100 yards outside of the wilderness area.
Also, there’s no water, so bring plenty of your own.
Mountain ConditionsMojave National Preserve (Barstow office) - 760-252-6100.
Additionally, here’s a link for the area weather.
Summit Portaits Images
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Mojave National Preserve
