The Ryan King

Hike Ryan Mountain in Joshua Tree National Park

01.23.2020
Hike to Ryan Mountain Joshua Tree National Park

Think big picture. Then hike to it. At 5,456 feet, the summit of Ryan Mountain has the best view in Joshua Tree National Park. Its brilliant panoramic expanse spans desert to mountains, and—bonus—late afternoons can feature a sky tinged with lavender thanks to the low-sitting sun.

The trail to the top is just 1.5 miles (one-way), but it’s a rather rapid ascent of over 1,000 feet, so expect to huff and puff a bit. Several stone steps and a few steep grades make up parts of the adventure, but the desert views stay with you most of the way—increasing in size the higher you rise. Joshua Tree’s signature forests and nature-carved rock slabs surround you.

The summit is marked by a huge pile of boulders and rocks, and there’s plenty of room to jump for joy or sit quietly on a slab of the mountain and scan the scenery, including three valleys, the Pinto Basin, Mount San Jacinto, and the Little San Bernardino Mountains.

Stay for sunset (bring a headlamp and leave before it’s too dark) and enjoy the tangerine glow.

IMPORTANT HEAT SAFETY NOTE: Check temperatures before hiking this route, as intense heat is not a good time to hike this trail, which is exposed and requires exertion.

Hike to the summit of Ryan Mountain in Joshua Tree National Park

WHERE TO EAT & STAY: The town of Joshua Tree maintains a high desert bohemian and arts vibe that feels uninfluenced by social influencers (for now). Grab a beer at the Joshua Tree Saloon & Grill, where the Old West welcomes hikers, climbers, campers, and locals eating everything from jalapeño poppers to baskets of baby back ribs basted in a homemade Jack Daniels No. 7 BBQ.Wash everything down with one of the seasonal brews or a staple Guinness. We also really like Pie for the People—eat in or take out from this pizzeria that’s become a beloved locals’ favorite for its hand-forged pies. Try the David Bowie: mozzarella, bacon, roasted pineapple, jalapeños, Guinness caramelized onion, plum sauce—yum! Camping at Joshua Tree is very popular, with plenty of options depending on what you like (and what you can get!).

Stay in an airstream in Joshua Tree

LA’s influence is coming through among artists who have moved to the area or own properties and are setting up unique stays at or near their abodes.

The trailhead is at Park Boulevard (Loop Road), Joshua Tree National Park. No dogs.

Trending Stories NorCal

View all Stories
  1. Napa Valley Paddle kayaker and paddle boarder on the Napa Valley river

    Napa's Wild Side

    It’s wine country’s Amazon. The gentle Napa River is an ecological—and recreational—delight. And Napa Valley Paddle sets you up for maximum enjoyment of this experience.

    View

  2. Been There, Dome That

    Surrounded by granite domes, craggy peaks, and miles of hiking trails, the High Sierra landscape of Tuolumne Meadows in Yosemite National Park is famous for good reason. For a truly grand view, take a short hike to bold—and bald (except for snow at times)—Lembert Dome.

    View

  3. Wapama Wows

    Hetch Hetchy can be overlooked in Yosemite National Park because of its more remote location and limited facilities. But this is where you’ll also find one of the best day hikes in the park: Wapama Falls.

    View
  4. Hike Mount Tamalpais into Muir Woods

    Muir Woods Through the Backdoor

    A backdoor entrance into Muir Woods? Hike a tranquil trail that starts in Mount Tamalpais State Park and quietly leads into Muir Woods, letting you avoid the busyness of the main parking area.

    View

Trending Stories SoCal

View all Stories

  1. Inn-spiration Point!

    For more than a century, people have been hiking or mountain biking to West Point Inn for good reason. Perched at 1,785 feet on the southern slope of Mount Tamalpais, the historic inn has sweeping views from the Marin Headlands to the San Francisco skyline.

    View

  2. A Thousand Steps to Paradise

    A picture is worth a thousand words, but is a gorgeous beach in Laguna worth a thousand steps? The answer is yes, though the question is moot, because it’s only 223 steep steps down to the 400-yard stretch of sand known as 1000 Steps Beach.

    View
  3. Sponsored

    Take the Exit to the Best of the San Francisco Peninsula

    The San Francisco Peninsula is proof that some of Northern California’s greatest surprises are hiding just off Highway 101. All you have to do is take the exit.

    View
  4. Hike to the Sierra Buttes Fire Lookout in the Lakes Basin

    Lookout for This View!

    Sierra Buttes Lookout, at a lofty 8,591 feet, is a memory maker for its pucker-worthy stairway to the tower’s balcony. It's a 5-mile (round-trip) hike to reach it. And the reward? Epic!

    View