Garlock Benchmark

Overview

Rank: Garlock Benchmark is California's 4645th highest ranked peak 

Prominence: 804 ft

Garlock Benchmark rises in the El Paso Mountains in the
northern parts of California’s Mojave Desert near the ghost town of Garlock.
The southern slopes of Garlock Benchmark drop 2800 vertical feet into Fremont
Valley and Koehn Dry Lake. To the east, Mesquite Canyon separates Garlock
Benchmark from Peak 5121 ft.

A network of Jeep Roads and abandoned old mining roads
crisscross the mountains and canyons of the area. It is in fact possible to
drive all the way to the summit of Garlock Benchmark. I tried to stay away from
the roads finding my own way up the southeastern slopes of the mountain. At an
elevation of 4550 ft, I reached an abandoned cabin known as Walsh Cabin. I did
not see any vehicles on this mountain but motorcycles and ATVs could be seen
driving on Mesquite Canyon Road.

Getting There

Here are directions to the start of Mesquite Canyon Jeep
Road (marked as EP100 Road) where I started my hike:

From the intersection of Route 14 and Redrock Randsburgh
Road just south of California’s Red Rock Canyon State Park, drive 11 miles
northeast on Redrock Randsburg Road and look for Mesquite Canyon Jeep Road on
the left.

Route

Starting Point Elevation: 2100 ft

Summit Elevation: 4784 ft

Roundtrip Hiking Distance: 6.9 miles

I started at the beginning of Mesquite Canyon Road. Left the
road and started going up the southeastern slopes of Garlock Benchmark
following a path that I had entered into my GPS by looking at Google Earth and
satellite photos. I did not encounter any technical difficulties. At an
elevation of 3800 ft I reached a faint abandoned road that seemed to go
directly up the slopes. Followed that road past Walsh Cabin to the summit.

Garlock Benchmark from the starting point.

Point 5121 ft from near the starting point.

Freemont Valley, Koehn Dry Lake and Red Mountain from the
slopes of Garlock Benchmark.

Walsh Cabin.

Inside Walsh Cabin.

Views from the summit of Garlock Benchmark:

Red Tape

No fees or permits needed.

When to Climb

Winter is the best time to climb. Summer can get dangerously hot.