Cottonwood Spring and Mastodon Peak Loop

Cottonwood Spring and Mastodon Peak Loop is a 2.4-mile circuit from the Cottonwood Spring parking area. It first drops to a palm oasis, follows the Lost Palms route, then climbs through bouldery canyons and returns to the same access. Allow about two hours for this moderate, rocky walk. The mapped loop does not climb Mastodon Peak itself; the exposed, unmaintained summit scramble is a separate option. I’d do the loop for the mix of oasis, granite and mining history, then skip the scramble if steep rock and drop-offs aren’t your thing.

A paved path descends from the road-end lot to Cottonwood Spring. Follow the Lost Palms route for nearly half a mile beyond the spring, then take the Mastodon loop branch. The climb threads through Sonoran scrub and boulder-strewn gullies before the route drops into a sandy wash. Watch for the path leaving the wash; it’s easy to keep following the wash past the turn. At the four-way wash junction, stay on the loop return. The campground and Winona Mill Site are separate walks, not part of this mapped distance.

The maintained loop comes close to Mastodon Peak, but reaching the summit means taking an unmaintained spur over steep, exposed rock. You may need your hands for balance, and there are real drop-offs. Turn back if that stops feeling comfortable. The summit opens wide views across southern Joshua Tree toward the San Bernardino and San Jacinto ranges; the Salton Sea may show on a clear day. The scramble is optional and not included in the 2.4 miles.

The Mastodon Mine ruins are a memorable stop along the loop. Cottonwood Spring was an important water stop for miners and teamsters traveling between Mecca and mines farther north; water powered gold processing here, and remains of an old arrastra and later mills sit around the oasis. A separate branch reaches the Winona Mill Site, but it adds walking. Look from outside and stay out of abandoned mine workings.

The fan palms at Cottonwood Spring mark a rare permanent water source in this dry corner of the park. Beyond the oasis, the route crosses Colorado Desert Sonoran scrub, including graythorn and Bigelow nolina. The pale split boulders make a strong foreground for a photo; include the trail or a hiker for scale instead of pointing the camera at an empty horizon.

There’s no shade or cell service on the loop, and summer heat can be severe, so choose a cooler day or hike early. Cottonwood Campground has water, flush toilets and shaded picnic tables about a half-mile from the spring by a signed trail; those facilities are off-route, not a refill stop along the loop. Pets are not allowed on park hiking trails.