Eureka Peak - 10.1 Miles Round-Trip

The northwest corner of Joshua Tree National Park is crossed by a warren of steep mountains, deep canyons and sandy washes. Eureka Peak (5,518') - Joshua Tree's 5th tallest - stands above all others in this area with panoramas of the Little San Bernadino Mountains and Coachella Valley.

Trail Map | Photo Gallery

A network of trails - some clearly labeled on maps and others not - emanate from Black Rock Campground with connections to the Eureka Peak Trail. 

The route described here follows the California Riding and Hiking Trail (CRHT) to the Short Loop Trail, which joins the Eureka Peak Trail 1.95 miles from the trailhead:

The trail leaves Black Rock Campground from the CRHT Backcountry Board, merges with a wash (.1 mile) and exits left on the CRHT for a steady climb into the foothills. 

It crests at .85 miles (4,185') and undulates down a bajada to another wash and the Short Loop Trail (1.65 miles : 4,105'). Make a hard right on the Short Loop Trail, which enters a narrow canyon filled with diverse Mojave brush.

The wash forks - the first of several times - at the Eureka Peak Trail split and bears left (1.95 miles : 4,180'). Travel now slows through deep sand in a variously wide and narrow canyon.

You'll pass the Cliff Trail (2.8 miles : 4,417') and Canyon View Trail (3.0 miles : 4,490') in quick succession, where canyon walls gradually fall to open slopes and pinyon-juniper woodlands.

This ecosystem was more prevalent throughout the park 10,000 years ago, but warmer climates since have relegated it to higher, isolated pockets. Look for signs of deer, coyote, bobcat and mountain lion in this high desert habitat.

A few steps past the Canyon View Trail is a curious sign pointing you both straight and left in the wash- keep straight, as your current course is the most direct. The wash forks once more at a sign potentially obscured by overgrowth (3.5 miles : 4,670'); anticipate this split and follow it right.

The wash narrows and splits again with cairns guiding you left (4.05 miles : 4,858'). Here the grade steepens and canyon tightens on a twisting climb to a high, thin saddle (4.65 miles : 5,310').

Take in views of Mt San Gorgonio before dropping across a steep slope to the Bigfoot Trail junction (4.7 miles : 5,265'), and rising back up to a southwest-facing saddle beneath Eureka Peak.

The trail moves easily along the saddle with rangy views across the Coachella Valley to a fork and unlabeled metal post (4.95 miles : 5,445').

A sharp left turn runs up to the summit (its location now obvious); continuing straight leads to Upper Covington Flat Road and rejoins the CRHT 1.2 miles ahead. A short, steep push on this spur leads to Eureka Peak (5.05 miles : 5,518'), a small landing with epic panoramas and useful perspective on the route you took to reach it.