3-20-2021
This peak is not actually one I would be hiking up to, rather around. That was the first surprise I encountered, when I set off on the trail.
I reasoned I could hike around Barber Peak Loop, and connect to The Rings Trail, which is much shorter.
The Rings trail is a,” 1.5 mile hike that takes you past beautiful scenery and ancient petroglyphs, and up a series of metal rings,” according to the NPS website, which has a helpful map showing the route, through Banshee Canyon.
They entire area of the Mojave Preserve is a place I want to explore, especially in wintertime and early spring, when the weather is cool. I had got lucky this season, since it was still cool here, all the way into March. Come April though, the Mojave can really warm up, into the 90’s.
I parked by the Rings Trail, near the visitors center, so my car would be there waiting, after completing the loop hike. There were some picnic areas here, and a restroom, though the visitor center was closed.
Off to the right, to the east, were another set of hills, and the high peak of Tortoise Shell Mountain (Elevation 4600).
Now I just needed to find the trailhead, somewhere along this road, near where I parked.
There were quite a few overlanders here, enjoying the desert, with their 4WD high clearance travel vans.
The terrain where the Rings Trail begins is like nothing I have seen anywhere else.
There are so many wind caves carved into the rocks.
There are two trails mentioned here, and I planned on hiking on both of them, starting with Barber Peak Loop.
This map gave me a good lay of the land, and I noticed the trail, seems easy to follow, as it goes past the campground where I stayed, to the left of it.
I found the trail, and set off on my Mojave adventure. I was the only one there at the trailhead, so I had it all to myself.
The terrain is really unusual here in the Mojave. You can see how harsh the conditions here can be. These rocks were carved naturally by wind, rain, floods, and huge temperature fluctuations.
As I hiked along, climbing higher along the trail, I started to notice cow patties everywhere.
There are cattle grazing along this trail, and I would get relatively close to them, later on.
I had no idea what to expect in the Mojave Preserve, other than Gila Monsters. My mom mentioned them to me in a conversation we had, before I set out on this adventure.
There were plenty of Cholla Cactus, and Yucca growing abundantly along the trail.
Atop this interesting crag is Barber Peak. The rock climber in me wonders who has climbed this, and if the rock is sturdy enough to do so.
As I climbed over a small ridge amongst the cow paddies, another wild west vista awaited. I felt like I was home on the range.
I glanced back towards Hole in the Wall Campground for a moment, so see how far I had gone, which was only less than two miles at this point. One solo hiker passed me around this spot. They would be the only hiker I saw all day.
The warm colors of the desert were nothing short of inviting on this warm sunny day.
I passed through a narrow fenced area, designed to let hikers through, but not cows.
I rounded an unusually large boulder, paying attention rock path, carefully laid out.
It felt really desolate on this stretch, as I passed a few former Juniper trees. I was not in cow paddy central, and trying to avoid them. I knew a run in with the cows was emminent.
Sure enough, I came across one, not far from the trail. They just stared at me for a bit, as I passed.
I kept passing the skeletons of trees, succumbed to the Mojave.
I came across a brown post in the ground, and would see a few of these, letting me know I was still on track.
I finally spotted a Juniper Tree, that was still alive. They must have deep roots to survive out here.
Up close, I could see the cows love this tree, judging from the composted manure they left beneath it. I guess it is a symbiotic relationship. The cows need its shade, and the tree needs nutrients, so together they survive in the desert.
This tree was full of ripe berries, which are not something you would eat. They are used to infuse drinks, make room sprays, and gin though.
The trail was very sandy, and flocked by tumbleweeds.
Among the trees that had met their last, this one was rather dynamic, especially with the mesas in the distance. What a view it had during it’s lifespan here in the Mojave.
I was dressed for the weather, and the wind. It was dusty, and blowing hard, so I used my buff to cover my face at times.
I was headed towards this gap, between two peaks, and would find myself in a wash very soon.
I passed the turnoff for Mid Hills Trail.
There was an interesting rock formation off to my right.
Up close, I wondered if it was climbable.
The trail became a rocky granite pebble strewn wash, flecked with a lot of quartz.
I was now on the western side of Barber Peak, and there were far more Juniper trees growing on this side.
I continued down the wash, until there was a sudden drop off, into a dry falls, of about 10 feet. That was not the trail.
Glancing back, I noticed I had missed a sign, and that the trail, had left the wash before this point, veering left, bypassing this dry falls.
The trail climbed up the ridge, and at this point, I realized in no way shape or form, was it going over Barber Peak, only past it. I had suspected this all along, that there was no actual trail to the peak, at least as far as I could see.
On the other side of the climb was a beautiful cactus garden, and another valley. It really felt like I was in the old west here, more than any other places I have been in California.
I headed downward from this point, and felt most of the climbing for this hike, was finally done. Well except for the rings on the Rings Trail that is.
I passed the turnoff for Wild Horse Canyon, and could finally give a name to this scenic vista off to my right. It was back on towards the Hole in the Wall Campground, via the Rings Trail.
John Wayne would have dug this place.
I noticed some interesting chartreuse colored lichen growing on a rock.
The sheer cliff walls to my left, were also covered in wind caves, and I felt like I was almost back where I started.
It was definitely creepy, this Banshee Canyon. Though there was no signs marking the way at this point, alltrails let me know that I was on track for the Rings Trail.
I passed by even more interesting rock formations as I ventured on in to this spooky looking canyon.
Finally I made it to the famous rings. It is an interesting way to explore a place, for sure.
I proceeded through the narrow passage way in the rocks, of what seemed to be polished sandstone. There were two sets of rings, and two climbs on this hike, which is more a scramble than anything.
Well I made it! The rings had a few tense moments for me, being all alone, with nobody to lend a hand. I knew it was best, I not mess up. I would have brought a helmet if I did this one again. The drop off was far, and I could have easily gotten hurt.
I love discovering new places. California has so many different types of rock, and microclimates. This hike was very unique, with some amazing wild west views.
The Rings Trail and the Mojave, are definitely one of my favorite places I have explored.
4 Seasons of Hiking
Winter, spring, summer, and fall, all have places to explore in California, including the Mojave. No season is really off limits here, you just have to know when to go, and where.
I hope you enjoyed reading this, and it is helpful in knowing what to expect, should you decide to visit here.
Reflections
My mom has been extremely supportive of me, finding new purpose in my life, after many years in a marriage, that only seemed to bring me down.
With a daughter in high school, I finally felt like I had an opportunity to be myself, and explore this world, on my terms. At this point, in my heart, I felt I only had a few days to be away. I did not want to take too much time away from my daughter, but just enough to have a small adventure in the desert. I was on day two of this car camping trip. I was glad to have one bar of service here at Hole in the Wall Campground, enough to make a quick phone call, or send a text. Getting away was important to my soul, but my daughter still had my heart, so leaving although necessary for growth, was difficult, even for three days.
About me
I’m Serafina! I’m a writer and California girl who loves to go exploring. Hope you will get outside today, breathe some fresh air, and be happy!
Follow my Journey…
Be sure to Like and Subscribe to My Youtube Channel where I post videos!
Disclaimer: The work on this blog is my opinion and my opinion alone and I am not responsible for the outcome if someone were to apply these thoughts to their own life. All text and photography copyright 2023 by Serafina, all rights reserved. Information and opinions provided are kept current to the best of the author’s ability. All readers’ usage of the ideas and opinions presented in the blog, are at their own risk. Be aware of the possible dangers of hiking, surfing, walking, cooking, and other activities, which may take place indoors or outdoors. By reading this, you agree not to hold the author or publisher of the content on this web site responsible for any injuries or inconveniences that may result from reading the blog, or partaking in any activity mentioned in the blog. Read the blog, and use its ideas, if you so desire, at your own risk.
Serafina Hikes 