Ryan Mountain

At A Glance

Distance: 2.96 miles (out and back)

Difficulty: Strenuous

Elevation Change: 1234 feet

Trail Condition: Very Good

Restrictions: National Park Entrance Fee

Trailhead Coordinates: 34.002611, -116.136592

Elevation Marker at the Peak

After spending my first weekend at Ryan campground, I had my sights set on Ryan mountain. This desert beauty towers over Juniper Flats, keeping the campground in the cool shade until the sun peers over the ridge in the mornings. Getting to the trailhead was a piece of cake. It's a short ride east from Ryan Campground on Park Boulevard. The popularity of the trail was immediately apparent. The trailhead is very well marked and boasts restrooms and relatively large paved parking lot.

View Northwest toward Wonderland of Rocks

Heading south, we started gaining elevation right away. As we started winding around the west side of the mountain, the views were already spectacular. The Joshua Tree forests of Juniper Flats and the Wonderland of Rocks to the north were beautiful. It provided ample motivation to make it to the top.

The trail hugs the West side of the mountains for the majority of the hike. Near the peak, it flattens out into a very small valley and heads toward the eastern side of the ridge. The last couple hundred yards start to give glimpses of the sweeping Eastward views from the summit.

View Southeast toward the Hexie Mountains

Once we arrived at the summit, it was immediately obvious why this was such a popular hike. The 1.5 miles up the ridge paled in comparison to the 360 degree views of the park. The Wonderland of Rocks rises in the North and the Joshua Tree forest of Juniper Flats stretches out to the West. Lost Horse Mine is hidden somewhere in the gentle hills to the South. The vast expanse of the Pinto Basin, abruptly halted by the Hexie Mountains, lies to the East. My only advice is to take a fleece or a windbreaker, as it can get blustery and chilly at the summit.


The takeaway from this hike: DO IT! The short 3 mile jaunt is well worth the incredible views of Joshua Tree NP stretched out below.