Sierras to Desert Trail

The Sierras to Desert Trail plunges from the high country of the Eastern Sierra down into the Mojave Desert, crossing four distinct ecosystems in a single day’s drive. Starting near Mammoth Lakes, this network of forest roads and desert tracks drops through Benton Hot Springs, past the ruins of mining camps like Bodie Ghost Town, and ends among the Joshua trees near Bishop. The route follows old mining roads used during the 1800s silver boom, including sections of the original Cerro Gordo freight route that hauled silver down to the valley.

Difficult rating due to altitude changes, loose rock sections, and desert navigation challenges requiring experienced 4WD drivers with solid vehicles. Essential gear includes recovery equipment, extra water, and detailed maps since GPS can be unreliable in the canyons. Best run May through October to avoid high-country snow. This route rewards drivers with dramatic elevation changes, ghost town history, and the raw beauty of California’s eastern wilderness transition zone.