Coxcomb Mountains - Inner Basin Pass - 11.4 Miles Round-Trip

The Coxcomb Mountains are among the most remote, rugged, and lightly traveled places in Joshua Tree National Park. This jagged and inhospitable range rises sharply from the Pinto Basin floor in the NE corner of the Park. While no maintained trails lead into the Coxcomb, several established routes follow washes and canyons into its heart.

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The following route begins from a turnoff on Highway 62, and heads south up the bajada to a canyon that provides a navigable passage through the mountains. This area is typically referred to as the inner basin, and the description below ends at a high pass along the main NW-SE corridor.

Preparation is key for a safe and enjoyable trip. There is no water or shade in these mountains, nor towns anywhere nearby. It's advisable to stop by the Twenty Nine Palms Visitor Center before setting out, inform them of your itinerary and outfit accordingly:

From the parking area, identify the wash-road-trail and head south. Though innumerable washes braid the bajada, vehicular use and foot travel distinguish this wash from others. Use these visual distinctions to remain on course over the first four miles.

The trail rises through the bajada with views back north of the Sheephole Mountains, and west across Pinto Basin. The path is lined by creosote and a rich desert scrub mix. Coyote melons may also be found on vines that grow along the desert floor. Look for jackrabbit, coyote, quail, tortoise, and a variety of songbirds, snakes and lizards as you progress.

The trail moves steadily south-southeast toward the base of the Coxcomb, gradually bending SE after 1.5 miles (1,978'). Rocky outcrops - excellent places to find wildlife - are more numerous as you near the mountains. Those with time should explore these small islands, and the hidden arroyos just behind them.

The wash-road-trail steepens beyond 2.5 miles (2,125') on a more deliberate SE bend toward a distinct gap between two large mountains on the horizon.

This is an important navigational cue, as the route you'll take will head right up into this space. Travel intensifies on the final run up the bajada, merging with a wide wash at 3.9 miles (2,495').

Pay close attention to this point (GPS point below); while easy to see on the way in, it may be difficult to identify on the return.

At 3.95 miles the path centers itself in a wide wash that leads into a canyon. Head up the wash, and note that you can no longer rely on old tire tracks for guidance. The wash is dotted with smoke tree, Mormon tea, mistletoe, and cats claw (which is painfully abundant).

The canyon tapers to the base of a steep boulder field (4.7 miles : 2,673'), where you'll begin a moderate scramble into the mountainous interior.

The scramble eases beyond 5.2 miles (2,835') in the middle-canyon where a rugged but intuitively followed route continues up to a high ridge. While you can't necessarily see Aqua Peak from this point, you'll certainly get a feel for the effort required to reach it.

A final push clears the ridge, where the landscape abruptly levels and opens in a high plateau between the Aqua Peak complex and east canyon wall (5.7 miles :2,991'). This pass marks a drainage divide in the basin, which is clear once on top.

The saddle is easy to explore with great views of the inner basin area (south) and Aqua Peak complex just above you (west). Aqua Peak is a collective name for three peaks in close proximity: Tensor, Spectre, and Dyadic. Tensor Peak is the lowest, and Aqua Peak is the tallest (4,416').