The 6.55 mile section between Geology Tour Road (east) and Keys View Road (west) on the California Riding and Hiking Trail begins in a stark, boundless expanse of Mojave Desert scrub and rises through a pass between Ryan Mountain (5,461') and Lost Horse Mountain (5,313') to the great Joshua Tree forests of Lost Horse Valley.

Concentrations of Joshua Trees are common along this stretch of the CRHT

New Joshua Trees begin to grow as single shoots

An inverted rock formation along the CRHT

The CRHT is known for its endless views and great biodiversity

Prickly Pear Cactus grows behind lumps of broken black basalt

A coyote prepares to pounce on a nearby jackrabbit

Beaver Tail Cactus is similar to Prickly Pear but with 'invisible' spines and slightly darker color

Marked by wide swaths of sandy trail - the CRHT can be deceptively difficult

Areas of dense foliage are great places to look for coyotes, fox, jackrabbit as well as the occasional mountain lion whom inhabit the western side of the trail

Visitors will travel through a wide mix of flora

Beautiful stretch along the trail

Desert scrub brush affords much needed protection to the various rodent, reptile and mammalian residents