Driving in from the from Las Vegas, Nevada to the north, the road turns from paved to dirt and then to very rough dirt. Not awful, but the Park Service does advise 4WD vehicles only. The desert dusk scenery is lovely and I am the only vehicle on this 40 mile stretch of road. I find plenty of open campsites at Hole-in-The-Wall Campground and settle in for the night.
The Mojave National Preserve encompasses 1.6 million acres, including portions of the Mojave, Great Basin and Sonoran Deserts About half of the Park is congressionallly designated wilderness.
Sunrise Hike: Rings Loop Trail, Hole-in-the-Wall Nature Trail and Barber Peak Loop Trail
Mojave Yucca
Buckhorn Cholla Cactus
Banshee Canyon
The ascent is so steep, hikers climb using iron rings mounted in the rock for hand and toe holds in two sections.
Beavertail Cactus
Barrel Cactus
Although the landscape appears barren, the Mojave Desert is home to a plethora of wildlife including Bighorn Sheep and the Desert Tortoise.
Lovely desert landscape
Sunset
David Willett 