It was early March, when I drove out to the Mojave Desert.

It’s a place I don’t really hear about much, unless someone is referencing a place that is brutally hot.

You have no doubt heard, “at least we are not in the Mojave,” once of twice in your lifetime.

So what exactly would I find in a place that is hot, dry, and empty.

That’s about all I knew about it, and that there were things called Gila Monsters.

The Mojave National Preserve has an interesting past.

The NPS website describes it like this:

“Singing sand dunes, cinder cone volcanoes, a large Joshua tree forest, and carpets of spring wildflowers are all found within this 1.6-million-acre park. A visit to its canyons, mountains, and mesas will reveal long-abandoned mines, homesteads, and rock-walled military outposts. Located between Los Angeles and Las Vegas, Mojave provides serenity and solitude from major metropolitan areas.”

– nps.gov

I was intrigued.

I had heard a lot of things about the desert, such as that it’s a place where all the oddballs like to hang out.

There were stories of criminals using it as their hide out, and that it was a place crimes were committed so nobody would know about it.

People had a habit of just disappearing here. Yikes.

The Gold Rush

Back in the days of the Gold Rush, prospectors frequented the area, passing through, on their way out west.

There are lots of abandoned homes, cars, and relics from the past, strewn throughout the Mojave desert, left to bake in the sun.

The dry California desert has a way of preserving things for a long time, so many old buildings still stand, reminding us of the past, so history is somewhat preserved.

Bodie, is a ghost town in the eastern sierra, in a state of “arrested decay,” that is sort of lost in time.

It’s common to stumble on old mines, and artifacts, in these desolate hills.

Things did not always end well for miners, and desert explorers of times past.

A Checkered Past

Despite it’s checkered past, the Mojave still holds an allure, that draws people to it.

Maybe it’s stories and mysteries here.

I felt drawn to the Mojave today for the natural beauty, and solitude.

The Seasons

It may be a hot, dry, and inhospitable place most of the year, but in winter, the desert temps are mild.

Rain arrives from January through March, and that is when the desert plants, hiberating through the hot summer, will show their first signs of life.

Springtime

Wildflowers will start to bloom, in early spring as soon at the temps rise to about 70 degrees during the day.

The desert is full of beautiful natural rock formations, scenic hikes, and home to a variety of desert creatures.

Desert Life

Coyotes, gila monsters, snakes, and the tiny Pika, all call this desert home. They manage to scavenge enough to survive from the meager offerings.

Some creatures, such as birds, and butterflies, only migrate through the Mojave during certain seasons, such as early spring, when the weather is cool enough.

When to Visit

So to time a trip to the desert, you want to go when trails and unpaved roads are not muddy.

You also want to avoid going when hot, so you don’t get overheated, along with your car.

So the perfect time to go, is just after the winter rains have finished washing through the arroyos, and it’s warmed up just enough, for the wildflowers to emerge, so it all comes into bloom

It will be just a month or so, before the sun starts withering these vibrant blooms.

It felt as though I was there at just the right time, when the desert would experience a change of seasons, moving from winter to spring.

A Dark Desert Highway

I found myself driving down a lost highway of sorts, on my way to Hole in the Wall campground, in the Mojave National Preserve.

A Cow Crossing

I saw some bright yellow “Cow Crossing,” signs thinking nothing of it, as I sped along.

Suddenly see a large brown cow right in the center of the road. It seems oblivious to my bright lights. I begin slowing down to a crawl, hoping it will move.

Eventually the cow mosey’s on through a field.

Desert Ranching

The Mojave is a place where ranchers will graze their herd apparently.

I would soon come across a lot more cows enjoying spring in the desert than any other creature.

I passed three more cows on that dark empty road, as I continued onward.

These cow warning signs are not a joke.

Life in the Slow Lane

So I cut my speed in half, and turned on my brights the rest of the way

Hole in the Wall

I continued onward to Hole in the Wall Campground, where I will be staying for the night, arriving well past dusk.

It seemed to be one of the few proper campgrounds in the area.

Budget Camping Options

It was first come, first served, and just $12 per night.

I had researched the free boondocking spots nearby, and knew where they would be should the campground be full.

I really had no idea if I would get a spot or not.

Setting Up a Tent in the Dark

It was completely dark when I arrived, but I quickly found spot.

I parked, and began set up my tent, trying not to make a ton of noise.

Tent setup would be a bit of a challenge in the dark.

I brought one of my old tents, a Coleman 4 person dome tent, that is kinda bulky, but just fine for car camping.

I was able to get in just two stakes, as the ground was solid.

The tent came together quickly, and was now standing, so I decided to not worry too much about it. I had brought a rolled up twin size Japanese futon. I threw it in my tent.

Dinner

I still had to make dinner on my backpacker stove. I boiled water for dinner, which would be some Backpackers Pantry Pad Thai.

It was very tasty, high calorie, and plant based.

I enjoyed it sitting in the minivan with the side door open, looking at the moon and stars.

I also made a cup of mint tea. It was turning into a beautiful night. Little did I know what was about to happen next.

A Cup of Tea

After finishing my dinner in a bag, I cleaned up, and set up a lawn chair, to sit with a blanket, just enjoying the quiet of nighttime, with a cup of tea.

The wind had started to pick up a bit, and was whistling though the hills.

Wild Coyotes

Suddenly I hear a huge pack of coyotes very close to me, howling incessantly, unlike anything I had ever heard before.

It started feeling like I was in a movie, hearing their howls in the moonlight.

Then I see them, crouching, and sauntering quickly through shadow in front of me, a mere 15 feet away, straight through the campground in front of me, with the moonlight illuminating them just enough to confirm what I see and hear is in fact real.

So as far as wild animals were concerned, I had my fill for the night.

Peace and Quiet

The only other lights were from a few other RV’s in the campground.

After the howling episode had ceased, this place truly was becoming the definition of peace and quiet.

A Freak Windstorm

As I began to climb into my tent to go to sleep, the wind picked up, and a windstorm suddenly whipped up out of nowhere.

My tent began to flap incessantly. After about an hour of this I decided if I was going to get an ounce of sleep, I would have to retreat to my minivan

This windstorm continued, and I was starting to worry about the tent I left outside.

The windstorm was not playing around.

I had not staked the tent fully. I knew I would need to take it down before it sailed away.

Sailing Away

I reluctantly got out of my warm blankets, exiting my minivan, and see my tent there, flapping in the wind, hanging on by one stake. My lawn chair is no longer by the van.

I grab my tent, and quickly take it apart, which is a true challenge.

I happen to spot my lawn chair tossed across a field over 15 feet away. I toss it in the minivan with the tent.

I finally crashed out in the van, post windstorm calamity.

Good Morning

After some much needed rest after such a long drive, and other calamities, it was time to embrace morning.

I was a little late for sunrise, but it was still beautiful in the hills. Barber Peak had a golden glow against the gray clouds.

I could finally have a look at the mystery campground I was staying in. Was it a Hole in the Wall? It did have a trail with its namesake, the Hole in the Wall Rings Trail.

Everything about this place was very dramatic so far.

The Mojave is full of extreme weather, and temperatures.

The wildlife here is as wild as they come.

The golden hills surrounding me made it feel like I was in the old west.

Looking off towards the entrance station, I see another dynamic peak in the distance.

There are several hiking, and off-road trails around this campground.

Hole in the Wall is a perfect spot to enjoy the surrounding area from. There is so much to see, but for this trip, I would explore the places I had heard of, which were Barber Peak and its Rings Trail.

Lots of people had airstreams, and even retro trailers like this one.

There were pit toilets throughout the campground, though a few were locked.

There was no running water here that I could find, so be sure to bring some for drinking, and washing.

I love coffee with a view in the morning.

The campground has a short loop trail, around it.

There is a visitors center here too, and day use picnic area, but it was closed.

I decided move my car to the day use area, and check out, before going hiking today.

Desert Hiking Trails

I would be hiking the 6 mile Barber Peak Loop and pairing it with part of 1.5 mile Rings Trail.

This is a great campground, to unwind, and unplug. There is however not much wifi here (maybe just 1 bar).

I hope you enjoyed reading this, and it was helpful, for planning your visit to Hole in the Wall Campground and the Rings Trail.

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…

@serafinabenjamin

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