Joshua trees highlight peak hike

Teutonia Peak Trail is one of only a few maintained trails in the 1.6 million-acre Mojave National Preserve just over the California border south of Las Vegas.

This 4-mile, round-trip hike takes you through the world's largest concentration of Joshua trees, then up and onto a rocky granite outcropping, where you will be treated to far-reaching panoramic views of the preserve's mountains ranges, sand dunes, cinder cones, lava beds and beyond.

Because there aren't any obstacles or drop-offs on the first section of the trail, this part would be suitable for children. However, the last mile is a moderately strenuous ascent over rocky terrain with uneven footing, so I wouldn't recommend doing the entire hike with younger children.

From the signed trailhead, just head up the obvious double track gravel road in a southwesterly direction toward the large granite outcropping, which is your destination. The elevation at the trailhead is about 5,000 feet, and you will gain about 700 feet over the course of the hike. With this in mind, expect temperatures to about 15 degrees cooler than in Las Vegas.

In this area, there is a dense concentration of Joshua trees, one of the signature plants of the Mojave Desert. Joshua trees, a member of the lily family, grow at an elevation of between 2,000 and 7,000 feet and thrive in a deep sandy soil along fairly flat or rolling terrain like here. There are some sizable ones along the trail, one towering more than 20 feet high over the trail.

Interspersed with the Joshua trees, you also will find yucca, cholla, blackbrush and Mormon tea. Keep an eye out through the vegetation for some interesting granite-like formations called white monzonite. Some of this rock lies as flat as a pancake, almost appearing like a manmade slab, while others seem to come to life in shapes and forms that appear unworldly.

About 1 mile from the trailhead, you will find some evidence of an old silver mine: some timbers and tailings. Although at first glance they don't appear dangerous, as always, be safe and stay away from any mining areas.

From here, just continue on the trail as it heads west to the base of the outcropping. Head up this fairly steep section on the noticeable trail until you reach the ridge. Here you will get your first look to the west. Go left and travel along the faint route to higher ground and continue as far as you feel comfortable. The actual peak is too difficult to reach unless you possess proficient climbing skills.

From up here, there are sweeping views of the east Mojave. To the west lie the cinder cones and lava beds, and beyond that, about 30 miles away, you can even make out the world's largest thermometer in Baker, Calif. Farther to the west you also can see the San Bernadino and San Jacinto mountains. To the south you can see the Kelso Sand Dunes at Devil's Playground and the Providence Mountains. To the north you can see Clark Mountain, which at an elevation of 7,929, is the highest peak in the park.

If you haven't been to the preserve in more than a year, be sure to set aside time to visit the newly renovated Kelso Depot. The Mission-revival style former train station, built in 1924 by the Union Pacific, is worth the trip in itself. The building now serves as the preserve's main visitor center and museum. Highlights include historic displays on the Chemehuevi and Mojave Indian tribes, railroad history and early ranching and mining of the area. Although trains no longer stop at the depot, you can watch them up close, yet safely, behind a fence as they speed by, on average one per hour.

When you visit, make sure you fill up your gas tank when you exit I-15 before entering the preserve.

Deborah Wall is the author of "Great Hikes, A Cerca Country Guide," published by Stephens Press. She can be reached at Deborabus@aol.com.