Mojave Desert Peak #3 - Ryan Mountain
Explore Landscapes #29: I'm catching up on my 2024 goal to climb a Mojave Peak each month - but due to unforeseen circumstances it will be 12 peaks in a year rather than monthly peaks.
Ryan Mountain is a 5,457-foot-high (1,663 m) mountain in Joshua Tree National Park - making it the fifth tallest ‘named’ peak in the park. The trail to the peak is a moderately strenuous hike, which ascends 1,050 feet (320 m) in just 1.5 miles (2.4 km) - and starts climbing right from the trailhead.
The trail is well constructed, with rocks from the surrounding landscape built into trail steps, and is easy to follow. There’s no shade on the trail (which is typical for Joshua Tree hikes) so make sure you apply sunscreen before setting out as the daytime temperatures are already touching 80°F (27°C) now). When hiking in any National Park (or other wilderness area) make sure you pack the 10 essentials.
I approached the trailhead from the East side of the park, and as you drive along Park Boulevard, you can’t miss the Ryan Mountain ridge line, with the San Gorgonio snow-capped peak behind it in the distance.
Just after you pass the turn for Sheep Pass campsite you’ll find the Ryan Mountain trailhead parking lot on the left (if you’re coming from 29 Palms). The parking lot gets busy so try and arrive by 9am if you can.
Ryan Mountain is named after the Ryan brothers (J.D. “Jep”, Matt and Tom) who arrived and grazed cattle in the Lost Horse Valley area in 1895. Later that same year they became partners in the Lost Horse Mining Company with Johnny Lang, and in 1986 they filed a homestead and built an adobe home, calling it “Ryan Ranch.”
The history of the indigenous peoples and early settlers in what is now Joshua Tree National Park is fascinating. If you’d like to read more I’d recommend The History of Joshua Tree National Park by Thomas Crochetiere.
The…hike up Ryan Mountain is a reaffirmation of life. The pulse accelerates, the senses become more acute, and one may renew the acquaintance of lungs and muscles previously taken for granted. - Robert B. Cates, Joshua Tree National Park: A Visitor’s Guide, 1995.
As you steadily gain height the trail bears round to the right and then a little while later it tucks back into the left as you draw parallel with the impressive side profile of Saddle Rocks. The large slabs here are popular with climbers seeking out routes such as Walk on the Wild Side, Harlequin, Orange Flake, and Right On.
As you walk along the trail you’re temporarily distracted from the hike uphill by the beautiful wildflowers that decorate your way. Beautiful Apricot Mallows (not photographed), Whitestem Blazingstars, and Desert Bluebells (above) lead the way resplendent with their orange, yellow, and blue flowers respectively.
It’s a popular attraction, because of the impressive panoramic views of the inselbergs (from the German Insel, “Island,” and Berg, “mountain”) and Joshua Tree plains that surround the peak, with views towards Hidden Valley, Barker Dam, and the Wonderland of Rocks.
It was a beautiful clear day when I hiked up Ryan Mountain so I took my time on the summit, sat on a good-size boulder and just took in the view West towards San Jacinto and San Gorgonio. The summit affords 360° views and when looking East there are great views of the Pinto Basin and Pleasant Valley.
I spent some time shooting a panorama of the view towards the west, before starting my way back down to the trailhead.
All in all it was a lovely hike up and down Ryan Mountain and is highly recommended if you only have a few hours to spare in the park but want to feel like you’ve had an adventure.
Here are some interesting musings, images, and art that I’ve enjoyed reading this week:
Lathrop State Park by Rachel Jeffrey
Why you should shoot photos every day by Steve Carty
Letter from the Desert: Iguana glut by Chris Clarke
PUT THE SEAT DOWN: An Ode to the Commode by Julia Hubbel
Entering the Season of Leaves by Whitney Barkman
I smell pine by Molly Ella
The F2.8 challenge by Gill Moon
Creative Vision Newsletter by Richard Bernabe
The many faces of the Sahara by Emily Stav
Read this next if you’d like to try something different with your photography:
Try something different
Let me be your landscape photography guide to Joshua Tree National Park
My workshops cater to all levels of photographers and include classic viewpoints as well as some hidden gems. I'll make sure you're in the best place to take advantage of the light and weather conditions.
Choose a one-to-one workshop (and personalize it to what you'd like to photograph, specific techniques, or how far you want to hike), or join a small group workshop (which is limited to no more than 3 photographers).
I will help you discover new places and improve your photography at the same time.
At some point, we need to get the van to Joshua Tree. Your images keep inspiring me through each newsletter. Thanks also for the shout out 🫶🏻