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Ord Mountains Trail

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**Ord Mountains Trail**
Photo:
Trail Information
Other Names:	Ord Mountains
Part of:	Johnson Valley, Stoddard Valley
Trail Length:	29.7 miles + 1.2-mile spur
Trail Time:	2.5 hours
Terrain:
Off-Road Use:
Difficulty:
Geography
County:	San Bernardino County, CA
Nearest Cities:
Map Links:	Google Map Yahoo Map
Satellite Map:	Google Satellite
Special Map:
GPS Start:	N34 30.10 W116 51.39
GPS End:	N34 40.86 W116 57.92
Google Earth:
Climate:
Elevation:	3,000 to 4,600 ft.

One of the basic features of the Ord Mountains Trail is that it is a well marked trail. Therefore, you must drive along the set trails. The advantage of doing this trail is that you have a good network for 4WDs, ATVs and bikes.

Crossing this section from south to north you get some really good views. You can begin at the Camp Rock Road and drive upwards passing by some huge granite boulders and outcrops before reaching the Johnson Valley OHV Area.

The Yucca Rings Preserve

One of the interesting spots in the Upper Johnson Valley is the Yucca Springs Preserve which is a little distance from the main trail. The rings of the Mojave yuccas are 20 feet in diameter and 130 stalks in strength. These are rare and ancient, almost 2,100 years old. Though much of the area is fenced you do get a good view of them.

From this spot you move on the graded dirt Camp Rock Road, past the Cinnamon hills Restoration Area. This is a fantastic photo opportunity with multi-colored hills and granite boulders representing the Mojave Desert.

You must note that as much as you’d like to, camping in this section as well as the Tyler Valley is not permitted. However, you can camp outside this area within 50 feet of the road. There are quite a few options available for campers here.

The main trail then takes you past the Ericksen Dry Lake in Tyler Valley, intersecting with Daggett Wash Trail , past the now defunct Anita Mine. From then on you join a graded pipeline road and drive to California 247 to end the trail.

Rock Climbers

At the end of the trail you can go further 1.7 miles a graded road to reach the Stoddard Ridge. Also called Sawtooth Canyon by the Bureau of Land Management this is a challenging rock climbing zone.

If you are a beginner or a professional rock climber you will find something to suit your skills at this place which is popularly known as New Jacks City as well. Rock climbing is restricted however in the nesting season ( mid-February to June) for obvious reasons.